The World Surf League is currently in Tahiti for the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro event, with Griffin Colapinto and John John Florence in the spotlight. Both surfers will be representing the United States in the men’s division at the upcoming Olympic surfing competition in Tahiti. Colapinto, who finished second in the world rankings last year, is trying not to think too much about the Olympics to avoid creating expectations. However, he is focused on surfing in Tahiti to prepare for the challenging waves and breaks they will face in the competition. Colapinto emphasizes the importance of experience in surfing at Teahupo’o, where the reef is split into two ledges, creating challenging conditions that require careful positioning.
John John Florence, who finished ninth in his first time representing the U.S. at the Olympics in 2021, also values the importance of experience and preparation in surfing. He keeps detailed notes to remind himself of what equipment works best in different conditions, which will be especially crucial in Tahiti. Florence is currently riding high after welcoming his first child, a son named Darwin, with his wife Lauryn. Despite the challenges of leaving home, Florence is focused on performing well in the WSL event in Tahiti to improve his rankings. While Colapinto and Florence will be competitors in the water this week, they will be teammates when they represent the U.S. at the Olympics in Tahiti, sharing their experiences and learnings to hopefully bring home some medals for their country.
The challenging conditions at Teahupo’o in Tahiti require surfers to be well-prepared and experienced to navigate the surf breaks effectively. Colapinto and Florence emphasize the importance of spending time in the water to gain confidence and skills necessary for competing at a high level. Colapinto highlights the need to understand the different looks and challenges of the waves at Teahupo’o, which can vary based on the size of the swell. Both surfers are focused on honing their skills and learning from their experiences in Tahiti to prepare for the Olympic competition and upcoming WSL events in Morocco.
Colapinto and Florence will be facing off competitively before becoming teammates at the Olympic surfing competition in Tahiti. Despite their competition in the water, they will collaborate to share knowledge and insights to improve their performance for the United States. Both surfers are determined to give their best in the WSL event in Tahiti and use the experience gained there to enhance their chances of success at the Olympics. Colapinto and Florence’s dedication to their sport and commitment to representing their country exemplify the spirit of competition and camaraderie in the surfing community. They are focused on making the most of their time in Tahiti to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead in their pursuit of victory.
