Billy Stairmand is confident he can perform on the Olympic stage. Photo: Supplied
Picturesque surroundings in Tahiti may give this year's Olympic surfers a feeling of serenity, but the crystal blue water is home to some of the world's most dangerous waves.
The break at Teahupo'o has been dubbed by locals the "wall of skulls".
Kiwi surfers Billy Stairmand and Saffi Vette are set to take on the beastly barrels, and Stairmand concedes that Tahiti will be a challenge like no other.
"Honestly, it's very intimidating. A lot of people get hurt out there. There's a lot of history behind the wave itself, so putting that in your head can be very intimidating at times, but it's a very beautiful base, the surroundings of the mountains and the energy, it's very powerful place," Stairmand said.
Read more:
- Olympics 2024: What you need to know about dates, tickets, sports, the schedule and opening ceremony
- How many Olympic medals are NZ athletes tipped to win?
- Check out RNZ's daily Olympics podcast, Paris Essentials
Despite the danger, Stairmand said he was confident both he and Vette could deliver for their country.
"We both qualified for the Olympics for a reason, I believe we can both do really well over here."
Vette said every move on the water would be crucial.
"Obviously the wave is of consequence, because if you have any hesitation, then it's going to end in a not so good outcome because it's such a heavy wave. So anything can really happen. It can make or break you."
Saffi Vette is set to take on the ferocious waves in Tahiti. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
She said they had surrounded themselves with a team that instilled confidence in them.
"We've got a really positive vibe at the moment, so I feel like that takes off a lot of pressure mentally."
Vette said she was still pinching herself over competing at her first Olympic Games,
"Just being part of this whole journey is insane, I can't believe I'm here on the cruise ship. It's crazy."
The ship is a 103-room vessel that has been transformed into a floating Olympic Village for competitors. The pair said it had been a bit of an adjustment living on the sea.
The break at Teahupo'o has been dubbed the "wall of skulls" by locals. Photo: AFP / Jerome Brouillet
"It's pretty surreal. Waking up in the morning, opening the curtains, and you're basically in the water already," Stairmand said.
In the opening round of competition, Vette takes on Spain's Nadia Erostarbe and China's Siqi Yang, while eight-time national men's champion Stairmand takes on Ramzi Morocco's Boukhiam and Brazil's Joao Chianca.
Stairmand said while they were enjoying the camaraderie with their fellow surfers, all niceties would go out the window come competition time.
"Once that rash-shirt comes on, they won't be my friends out there in the water, I'll be gunning for that medal, but we will enjoy the whole process of staying on a cruise ship, with the top surfers in the world."
The shortboard men's first round heats get underway at 5am on Sunday (NZT), with the women's heats starting at 9:48am.
