AARON Pierce is a name normally associated with the cold water cousin of Teahupoo, Mullaghmore. After years of sitting in the channel out there life took him back to New Zealand and then eventually out across the Pacific for a long overdue pilgrimage .
I've always been fascinated by Teahupoo, drawn there ever since Occy won the very first tour event here back in 1999. Said Aaron. The shots were plastered everywhere, the waves looked sick and it was said to be one of the best barrels in the world.
One year on when Laird rode that perfect monster my determination only increased, yet it wasn't until a week ago that I finally got there. God knows why it took a decade for the stars to align but there I was, lucky enough to have a week's break at work, a half-decent chart and my flights booked. I knew it wasn't going to be big compared to the last few hell sessions I had seen on the net but I had hoped for long period 3-4ft perfection and light winds as forecast.
It was a get a feel for the place trip, I was by myself, knew no one and had no boat or accommodation booked at Teahupoo. My mission was to find a place and sus out the boat situations for other bigger days in the future and to see what obstacles needed hurdling along the way. Like adapting to the rain storms that often come through and mosquitos attacking my tasty pale skin!
Getting accommodation sorted was easy as the local families there are super friendly and welcome you in like one of there own. A good bed with a view, 3 huge meals a day, beer and your washing done. What more can you ask for?
Yes I do apologise sincerely to all that I photographed while on my debut mission to Tahiti, I was a bit overwhelmed by the whole experience. If anyone knows the rest of the surfers/bodyboarders please post the names up here as I will personally try my best to find there email and send them there own shots. I must admit even at that size I was very taken back by the perfection of Teahupoo and the beauty of not only the landscapes but the local people themselves, a special thank you to Isabella and Lui for everything
cheers
Interesting to read a first time chopes' account. Don't blame you for not getting any names, as long as you enjoyed your week off work and some epic waves!
Not everyone is jamie'O. not everyones wave of their life is at pipe or anything close to it. his skill lies within his photos so thakn you Aaron... many of us will be mindsufing 4-6ft perfection for the rest of the week.
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Ed Magicseaweed
liquid-storm192 days ago
