Olympic views: the surf break at Teahupo'o with Tahiti Iti in the background. Photo: Getty Images / Ryan Pierse
Olympic surfers battled large powerful conditions in Tahiti this week, with jet skis pulling surfers out of dangerous situations on multiple occasions.
There were upsets and steller performances including from Tahiti surfer Kauli Vaast.
But Tom Shand, civil and environmental engineer with Auckland University, thinks the true star could be the waves Teahupo'o.
RNZ Pacific's Caleb Fotheringham asked him why he thought the surfing event was hosted in Tahiti and not France which also has good waves.