2024 Olympic Games Surfing Introduction

Although Olympic games surfing is a recent addition to the Olympic Games, having debuted as an official sport only in 2020, it has a rich history spanning hundreds, if not thousands, of years. In the 2024 Paris Olympics, surfing will again take center stage, offering the world’s top surfers a platform to showcase their skills and further promote the growth and development of surfing culture.

1. Overview of Surfing

Surfing is a water sport where athletes stand on surfboards or use bodyboards, kneeboards, inflatable mats, kayaks, or canoes to ride waves. Historically, surfing emerged in the 19th century in Polynesia and the Hawaiian Islands and spread to California in the early 20th century. The first international surfing organization, the World Professional Surfing Association, was established in 1976, which is now known as the World Surf League (WSL). This led to the creation of the annual World Surfing Championship Tour. Today, over 35 million surfing enthusiasts span the globe.

Surfing is a sport that combines skill, balance, strength, and rhythm. Here are some fundamental surfing techniques:

• Pop-up: The initial stand-up motion on the surfboard, typically performed quickly as the wave starts to push the board.
• Paddle: Using arm strength to paddle in the water, increasing the surfboard’s speed in preparation for standing up.
• Reading the Waves: Observing wave shapes and directions to determine the best timing and location to stand up.
• Turning: Shifting body weight and applying pressure with the feet to steer the surfboard.
• Cutting Back: Quickly changing direction on the wave face, often used to gain more speed at the wave’s top section.
• Tubing: Riding inside the barrel of a wave, where the surfer slides within the closed space of the wave tube.
• Aerials: Performing jumps and aerial spins or tricks off the wave’s lip.
• Catching the Wave: Paddling or using existing speed to enter the wave’s power zone.
• Maintaining Speed: Using turns and cutbacks to keep or increase speed while surfing.
• Wiping Out: Learning to fall safely and quickly return to the surfboard after losing balance or misjudging a wave.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) website features a documentary series titled “See you in Teahupo’o,” which delves into the Olympic dreams, journey, and experience of surfer Carissa Moore, as well as her views on the legendary waves of Teahupo’o. The connection between surfing and film dates back to the 1966 classic documentary “The Endless Summer,” which tells the story of two surfers traveling the world in search of the perfect wave. The 1987 film “North Shore” explores the surf culture of Hawaii’s North Shore, while the 2011 biographical film “Soul Surfer” recounts the true story of a surfer’s return to the sport after losing an arm. These films have played a significant role in spreading surfing culture.

2. Olympic Games Surfing

The establishment of the World Professional Surfing Association in 1976, now the World Surf League, marked the beginning of surfing’s internationalization and professionalization. As a globally popular sport, Olympic Games Surfing has numerous important international competitions beyond the Olympics. Here are some well-known surfing events and organizations:

• World Surf League (WSL): The most prominent professional surfing organization globally, hosting several major events, including the Men’s and Women’s Championship Tour (CT).
  • World Longboard Championship: The top event for longboard surfing.
  • World Junior Surfing Championship: A platform for young surfers to showcase their talents and develop future surfing stars.
  • World Masters Championship: A competition for older surfers, highlighting the sport’s diversity and inclusivity.

In the 1920s, surfers and athletes began advocating for surfing’s inclusion in the Olympics, including three-time Olympic freestyle swimming champion Duke Kahanamoku. Olympic Games surfing was officially approved as an Olympic sport by the IOC in 2016 and made its debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Olympic Games surfing will continue to be part of the 2024 Paris Olympics, with competitions held on Tahiti Island, a location famed for its high-quality waves, making it an ideal venue for Olympic-level surfing contests.

3. Scoring Mechanism

The scoring mechanism for Olympic games surfing competitions ensures fairness and objectivity while reflecting the sport’s complexity and challenges. Here’s an overview of the scoring system for the Paris Olympic Games surfing:

• Surfboard Rule: The Olympics use shortboards, which are smaller than longboards but offer greater speed and maneuverability, allowing for more technical displays.
• Scoring System: Each wave can score up to 10 points. Judges assign scores ranging from 0 to 10 based on the surfer’s performance on each wave.
• Scoring Factors: Surfers perform various technical maneuvers on the wave. Five judges score based on the difficulty, type, and variety of moves. Judges also consider the surfer’s power, speed, and fluidity in executing different maneuvers.
• Priority Rule: Each surfer gets at least one priority wave during the competition. The surfer with priority can choose any wave and direction without interference from others.
• Judging Panel: Each heat is judged by a panel of five judges. Scores are averaged by discarding the highest and lowest scores, with the remaining scores averaged to determine the wave’s final score.
• Final Score Calculation: The total score is the sum of the two highest-scoring waves for each surfer, determining their final position in the heat.
• Heat Duration: Each surfer can catch 10 to 15 waves per heat, with individual heats lasting 15 to 30 minutes.

4. Athletes to Watch

Before the 2024 Olympic Games Surfing

There are several standout athletes from around the world who are expected to shine at the Paris Olympic Games Surfing:

Women:

• Johanne Defay (France): Competing on home turf with strong potential to win, she realized her Olympic dream through crowdfunding.
• Brisa Hennessy (Costa Rica): A two-time ISA World Surfing Games champion, she hopes to excel at the Paris Olympics.

Men:

• Gabriel Medina (Brazil): A world champion aiming to win a medal after finishing fourth at the Tokyo Olympics.
• John John Florence (USA): A two-time world champion who finished ninth in Tokyo and aims for a podium finish in Paris.
• Jack Robinson (Australia): Considered one of the world’s best tube riders, he has been named “Surfer of the Year.”

These athletes are highly regarded in the surfing world, and their performances will undoubtedly be a highlight of the surfing competitions at the Paris Olympics.

Summary

Olympic games surfing, despite being a relatively new addition to the OG, has a deep-rooted history that dates back centuries. It made its Olympic debut in the 2020 Tokyo Games and will once again be featured in the 2024 Paris Olympics. This event provides a global platform for top surfers to demonstrate their skills, further promoting the growth and recognition of surfing as a sport.

Surfing is more than just riding waves; it’s a sport that requires a blend of technique, balance, strength, and rhythm. From understanding the waves to performing advanced maneuvers like aerials and tubing, surfers must master various skills to compete at the highest level. The Paris Olympic Games Surfing will continue to showcase these talents, with events held at the renowned Tahiti Island, a paradise for surfers due to its world-class waves.

The competition will follow a structured scoring system that ensures fairness and rewards the complexity and execution of each surfer’s performance. With a mix of seasoned champions and rising stars set to compete, the Olympic Games surfing events at the Paris promise to be a thrilling highlight, drawing attention to the sport’s dynamic and evolving nature. If you are interested in surfing product wholesale & OEM, welcome to contact us for more details.