Italo Ferreira celebrated his gold medal win at the Tokyo Olympics, marking the first time surfing was included in the Olympic program at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Now, all eyes are on the sport as it prepares for Paris 2024.
The surfing events at the Paris Olympics are scheduled from 27 July to 4 August, with the competition taking place in Teahupo’o, Tahiti – 9,800 miles away from Paris. The medal events for both the men’s and women’s events are set for 31 July but could be pushed to as late as 4 August depending on the weather conditions.
In surfing, athletes perform maneuvers and tricks on a wave that are scored by five judges based on the variety, type, and difficulty of the tricks. Their speed, power, and flow are also taken into account – the seamless connection of moves from one to the next. Shortboards, smaller and more maneuverable than longboards, are the surfboards of choice for the Olympics, allowing surfers to perform spectacular tricks with speed and agility.
As surfing gains popularity in the Olympic arena, fans and athletes alike are looking forward to the excitement and competition that Paris 2024 will bring.