ALESSA QUIZON TAKES ON TEAHUPO'O
How did you feel about surfing Teahupo'o
Surfing Teahupo'o has been a dream of mine for so long and during this last trip I got a taste of what the wave is really like. It's one of the heaviest, amazing and scariest barrel waves I have surfed so far. The energy of Teahupo'o is just so raw. The craziest part is, the wave leaves you wanting more!
What was it like staying with Aelan and the Vaast family?
It was a pleasure to get to know and stay with the Vaast family and her amazing family. Aelan is very sweet and reserved, but as soon as she got into the water, she handled Teahupo'o with grace and complete commitment. Watching Aelan surf was a sight to see, I can't wait to see her succeed in the future of women's surfing.
What was your day to day schedule like?
Every morning we would wake up and take a boat out to the lineup. Teahupo'o is about 15 minutes away from Aelan's house, so anticipation was running high on the way to the surf. It was incredibly beautiful and scary to see Chopes on a big swell. Six to eight foot barrels would roll end and the sound of each wave crashing down was like hearing a roar of thunder. We would spend all morning, into the afternoon in the lineup. By the time we would get back home for lunch, our bodies would be fatigued from all the adrenaline.
That was our routine everyday - wake up, surf, eat and repeat. Lunch was my favorite! Aelan's brother, Kauli, would get a fresh catch and create the best meals.
Surfing Teahupo'o was a treat and a challenge in itself. For me, it is by face one of the hardest barrels to navigate and the wipeouts are so violent. But, it's a wave that leaves you wanting more. This trip was everything I expected and more.
Tahiti has my heart and I can't wait to go back!
- Alessa Quizon