Go Behind-the-Scenes at the Most Awe-Inspiring Wave in the World In “Children of Teahupo’o”

In a few short weeks, when the Olympics begin, all eyes will be on Teahupo'o. While the surf world is already well aware of just how special Teahupo'o is, it's about to gain a lot of new fans, especially if the waves are 8-feet during the contest. Because at that size, it's the greatest show in surf. Maybe even on earth.

While Tahiti will be represented in the Games by Vahine Fierro and Kauli Vaast (surfing for Team France), so many other Teahupo'o locals will be left watching from home. That's the unfortunate reality of a format that only allows for 48 surfers from all over the world.

Two of those locals are Tahurai Henry and Gilbert Teave. While they aren't household names, they are two of the best to ever surf Chopes, which is why they were chosen to anchor this new film, called the "Children of Teahupo'o".

Related: Olympic Surfing 101: Everything to Know Before Paris 2024

"Lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, on the island of Tahiti, lies a village that's home to one of the world's most beautiful waves - Teahupo'o," says the description alongside this awe-inspiring 36-minute film. "Facing mystical mountains covered in a wild and luxuriant jungle, the perfect wave of Teahupo'o wraps around the reef to create a powerful tube that attracts the best surfers on the planet.

"Photographer Tim Mckenna has been documenting this paradise for over 25 years. From Laird Hamilton's Millennium Wave to WSL competitions, the locals pushing the limits, and the upcoming Olympic Games, he has been a privileged witness to Teahupo'o.

"Alongside all the big names in surfing, he has seen the emergence of a generation of local kids who have come to tame this mythical wave. Among them are Tahurai Henry and Gilbert Teave. Aware of how lucky they are to have grown up in this paradise, they dedicate all their energy and heart to preserving the place and passing on their culture to future generations. They are the guardians of the temple, the heirs of the village. They are the children of Teahupo'o."