Behind the Shot: Vahine Fierro at Teahupoo
You may not have surfed Teahpoo before, may not have even been to Tahiti, but you'll recognise the group dynamics of a lineup, especially one where heavy waves are breaking.
It's the second big swell in a week, a bunch of surfers have flown in from the US, Hawaii, and Australia, plus there's the local talent, and though everyone's had their fill, they're all still conscious of where they sit in the pecking order. The assessments are constant, silent, in the shifting and dangerous lineup.
It's mid-morning at Teahupoo, fifteen or so people sit on the ledge and I'll allow Harry Bryant to pick up the story.
"We were all sitting out there waiting. A few people were talking. We hadn't even seen a girl for ten days, and then out paddled this girl with a huge smile and frangipani in her hair," said a bemused Haz as he replayed the image in his head.
"She paddled straight to the inside, said hello to everyone...and then took off on the next set."
"Simple as you like."
"We were shocked, but it was great to watch."
And if readers squint at the following sequence, shot by Tim Bonython, they'll see the frangipani still tucked behind Vahine's right ear.
PS: Some quick research shows that Vahine is 18, comes from nearby Huahine, and is the 2018 World Junior Champ.
Sequence by Tim Bonython.
Comments
She got a wildcard for Hossegor and knocked out Caroline Marks. One to watch.
Wow, charging!
I tried that approach at my local reef and they all told me to fuck off. I admit I am not a hot young Tahitian girl, but a 57 y.o. dude (has to leave his false teeth in the car in case they fall out).
Tried at local reef, lots of nasty stares. Kept smiling, got set wave from inside everyone, one girl was smiling at me from shoulder on the first top turn, so it does work! lol
If you did it regularly you would get a free breath-holding course.
snaked everyone but its OK because she is a chick?
...or maybe just because she had a frangipani and was smiling??? Smile goes a long way, not that many people (particularly surfers) realise it these days. In any case, maybe the next story will be about how everyone in the lineup bitched and moaned that they got "snaked"
It's not OK with me and David Leyonhjelm! Misandry is what it is.
Men, we must stick together and fight this scourge!
I could handle watching Leyonhjelm paddle into a few monstrosities at Teahupoo Daisy...that'd be fun
Very cool
That's the reason I wear a bikini in the line-up.
I also like sexy knickers.....but they tend to chafe while I'm wurkin.
Nice story.
How's that for talented; smiling and relaxed and with a frangipani flower behind your ear.
Local girl nobody would say boo to her.
Females of today know they can do whatever and not be accountable and they
also know if males did object to anything they do the males are at risk of being charged
with something. Modern fact
No wonder the original sea explorer's found it hard to leave polynesia. Those smiles
I am a complete sucker for a smile and frangipani go girl love your work
Fellow swellnetonian Tim wins over more fans...That's as good as it gets brother!
Vahine is staring straight at Tim when she lights up. (Tim obviously has a way with wahinies).
Vahine is the Tahitian word for Woman of kin as in Wahine (Hawaiian/Maori) That we all adore!
What's not to love!
for those whinging about women, try this (and remember this is chopes at size with the crew stu described):
"We were all sitting out there waiting. A few people were talking. And then out paddled this local 18 year old kid no one had seen before with a huge smile" said a bemused Haz as he replayed the image in his head.
"He paddled straight to the inside, said hello to everyone...and then took off on the next set."
"Simple as you like."
"We were shocked, but it was great to watch."
Still a great story without the bikini and the frangipani (though they don't hurt).