When Morgan Maassen was 20 years old, he went to Tahiti. He was there for a week on a lifestyle shoot, and something in the place resonated with him. It latched onto his soul, never to let go. “The mountains, sea, dense jungle and perfect waves made their case in a matter of seconds,” he said. “I was hooked, paving the way for me to return at every opportunity possible.”
Over the last decade, he’s returned as many times as he can. He still loves it there, and with each visit his love grows a little more. “Over the years of visiting what I’d reckon to be the most beautiful place in the world, I’ve also met some outstanding characters, forged by the power of their connection with the land and sea,” he said. “Recently, I’ve had the honor and pleasure of getting to know the Fierro family. Loving parents Andrew and Hina have raised three young women who are pushing women’s surfing while gracefully sharing their Tahitian lifestyle with the world.”
He made a film about the family, and in true Maassen fashion, it’s a piece of art. Beautifully shot and masterfully edited, Goddesses is an example of how good a surf film can be. “To visit them at their home, to spend time with the family, to explore nature and the sea with them, all the while chasing swells and watching these women charge bigger and bigger surf, has been utterly moving,” he said. “I am such a huge fan of these sisters, and the opportunity to point my lens at them as they live and grow was the thrill of a lifetime.”
Of course, since they’re surfers in Tahiti, Teahupo’o plays a large role in their lives, and Maassen focused on it. “Vahine, Heimiti, and Kohai exude the vibrancy of life, and do it together,” Maassen continued. “Their bond is nothing short of magic; these young women are woven into each other’s growth and success. Watching them knock on the door of Teahupo’o one-by-one, Vahine leading the way into some of the heaviest waves I’ve ever seen women surf, is enthralling.”
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