Paris 2024 Olympics: Surfing – history, rules, defending champions – Firstpost

One of the most popular activities in the world in countries with a coastline, surfing essentially involves riding waves in the sea by standing or lying on a board. The extreme sport is believed to have originated in Hawaii and Polynesia, where it was practiced by men and women from all walks of life.

It was during the rise of Hawaii as a tourist destination in the early 20th century that the activity experienced a revival and quickly spread to California on the mainland, along with other countries such as Australia. Surfing would later become professional in 1953 when the Waikiki Surf Club of Makaha, Hawaii hosted the first international championships for men and women.

What are the rules?

Surfers perform various maneuvers and tricks on a wave, with five judges judging their performance based on the variety, type, and difficulty of their performance. Surfers are also judged on their speed and strength, as well as their ability to move from one wave to another.

Shortboards are used in Olympic surfing events because they are faster and allow athletes to perform more maneuvers.

What is the history of surfing at the Olympics?

Surfing was one of several sports introduced for the first time at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, the others being karate, sport climbing and skateboarding. Surfing has also been retained for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, with the event expected to be held much closer to the host city than the Paris Games.

Who won the Tokyo Olympics?

Gentlemen:

🥇: Italo Ferreira, Brazil

🥈: Kanoa Igarashi, Japan

🥉: Owen Wright, Australia

Women:

🥇: Carissa Moore, United States.

🥈: Bianca Buitendag, South Africa

🥉: Amuro Tsuzuki, Japan

Which surf athletes should we keep an eye on?

Carissa Moore, United States: The Olympic and five-time world champion has announced her retirement from top-level competitive surfing after the Paris Games. Three years ago, she won the first Olympic gold medal in women’s shortboard in Tokyo. The 31-year-old, Hawaii-born Moore is widely regarded as one of the best female surfers of all time.

Vahine Fierro, France: The Tahitian-born surfer will compete just 200 kilometers (125 miles) from her hometown in French Polynesia. After winning the Tahiti Pro on the wave — called Teahupo’o — last month, Fierro has given host nation France hope of winning a medal this year.

Filipe Toledo, Brazil: The two-time World Surf League champion qualified to compete in this year’s Games, but after a poor performance at a competition, Toledo posted on social media that he would withdraw from the remainder of the 2024 Championship Tour season. The good news is that Toledo’s manager has confirmed to The Associated Press that the 29-year-old Brazilian surfer will compete in the Olympics.

Jack Robinson, Australia: Winner of the 2023 World Surf League competition in Teahupo’o, Robinson is considered one of the world’s best barrel riders. This could work to his advantage, as the wave is widely regarded as one of the world’s toughest barrels.

Where will surfing take place during the Paris Olympics?

The surfing event will take place in Teahupo’o, Tahiti — more than 15,715 kilometers (9,765 miles) from Paris. The event will break the record for the furthest Olympic medal race held outside the host city.

When is surfing at the Paris Olympics?

The surfing event will take place over a four-day period from July 27 to August 8. The exact dates are dependent on weather conditions.

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