A day etched into Tahitian history thanks to the will and drive of 22-year-old, Kauli Vaast. No longer just a local hero – but as of now, an Olympic surfing champion.
The hometown boy carried the dreams of the French Polynesian people on his shoulders, and he carried their love and his skillset into the final, where he proved he is the Paris 2024 king of Teahupo’o.
It was the fairytale ending for the island community as they hosted the Games and opened their island to the world. They willed Vaast on and he rose to the occasion as if thanking them for their dedication and passion in supporting him.
Vaast faced Australia’s Jack Robinson on a day where mother nature tested the surfers with tricky conditions.
Having done his time in the water, Vaast seemed calm and composed before the heat, and very quickly he was riding the wave of the day and earning an almost perfect 9.5 score.
As he dropped in and punched through on a beautiful open-faced barrel – the best of the day – the crowd roared and Vaast took the reins in the driver’s seat of the final. It became his to lose.
“Kauli, Kauli” – the words chanting from the local voices on the boats. His family, friends and loyal supporters cheering him on.
He backed that up with an 8.0 which was enough to seal victory and begin a new chapter of his life – as Olympic champion.
“It’s really something special for me to win the Olympics at home,” he told Olympics.com, “on the best wave in the world. We had crazy waves today in the final it was just insane.”
As soon as the final hooter went off the plethora of boats erupted into whistles and cheers. It was truly a unique scene to witness. And more than a sound, it was a feeling. A feeling of respect for the people and entire island. Kauli appeared to be giving back to the entire community who gave him so much.
All the jet ski drivers had their hands in the air. One driver was in tears. This was their guy. Their winner. Their Teahupo’o champion.
The boats created a circle around Vaast and his elated coach, Jeremy Flores on the back of a jet ski. Vaast with his mouth open and wide to the sky. The supporters’ cheers getting louder and louder with every fist pump and chest beat that he did.
“I had a great connection with the ocean since the beginning of the contest. It comes from a lot of work, a lot of time spent in the water. I have spent a really long time in the water in lots of conditions and it was long and hard, but I kept going and never give up and then yeah, it paid off.
“I feel lucky to finally get the rhythm into a big contest like this. I really had the mana, it’s what we have here, the spirit and energy that all the people, all the Polynesians give to me, and I could feel it. It was something special.” Vaast said.
As Vaast and supporters left the line up as the women’s final started, the ocean almost went quiet. The party was taken to the shore. The fans on land had things they wanted to say and they did not hold back.
The fan zone erupted with joy when he swung past with his lap of honour and on approaching the pontoon and walking up to the awaiting media – the moment continued to sink in.
“I’m used to surfing that wave and for me it’s the best wave in the world, so I just wanted to be one of the best surfers out there, because I love this and I love spending hours out there. I get the best sensation and vision in my life out there surfing big waves and small waves. Just Teahuo’o like this. I never thought a day like this would happen and now this wild dream has come true. Such a big dream and goal and I just met it,” Vaast said.
The hugs and tears continued as the Tahitian surfer began to bask in the glory of his Olympic gold, being presented his medal.