Even in the offseason, Teahupo’o is a horrifying wave. The mutant slab slams onto the razor sharp reef that’s inches, not feet, below the surface. The challenge is not so much about being afraid or not, says big-wave charger Justine Dupont. “Everybody is afraid, some say it, some don’t… It’s more about how do we transcend that, how do we challenge and outdo ourselves. That’s very personal.”
In the video above, Ian Fontaine, Justine, and bodysurfer/filmer Fred David team up with Manera to tackle the legendary wave of Teahupo’o in the offseason and push themselves to get deeper without the crowds or the unmakeable slabs that Teahupo’o often serves up in the peak summer season. It’s a good reminder that, when it comes to surfing, we’re all on our own personal journey of self-improvement. Whether that’s improving your pop up or your backside tube-riding, there’s always room to grow.
