Kauli Vaast Wins Men’s Olympic Surfing Gold Medal

The day started slow. An offshore storm lingered over Teahupo’o, Tahiti, the site for surfing in the Paris 2024 Olympics, and the incoming swell had yet to show. But this was the final day of the event window, a last-minute roll of the dice to crown medals.

So, by 10:30am local time, it was all systems go – despite the small conditions.

Semifinals

On the men’s side of the event, competition kicked off with Semifinal matchups: Alonso Correa (Peru) versus local boy Kauli Vaast (France), followed by Gabriel Medina (Brazil) versus Jack Robinson (Australia). In the first heat, Vaast took the win over Correa with a couple shoulder-high tubes, capped off with turns, advancing him to the Finals.

But the real cracker of the Semis came with the second duel – Gabs versus Robbo. Early on, it was advantage Medina — a 6.33 score for a wave with only turns. Then, Robinson answered back with the first legitimate tube of the day for a 7.93. Now, Medina was on the ropes. Atypically for the Brazilian three-time world champion, Gabby anchored himself in the lineup, waiting for the right wave to come his way. Despite the Portuguese prayers, the ocean went flat. Jack prevailed.

Gabriel Medina only caught one wave in the heat. That’s practically unheard of.

Bronze Medal Matchup

If it wasn’t revenge, it was redemption (and maybe a little blood) that Gabriel Medina was going for in the Bronze medal matchup against Alonso Correa. It was redemption for both missing out on the Final in the Paris 2024 Olympics, and for losing the Bronze to Owen Wright in the Tokyo 2020 2021 Olympics. And the Brazilian came out swinging this time. Despite Correa’s sharp surfing, Medina tapped into his traditional, aggressive, go-for-broke self. A couple tube rides, paired with some searing turns over the sharp Teahupo’o reef, and Gabe had Bronze in the bag.

“That was my goal coming here,” Medina said after the heat, “to win a medal. I gave it my all. I had that on my mind [losing the Bronze medal in Tokyo]. So, it means a lot to me. I’ve done a lot of work to get here. These are the best surfers in the world. They bring the best out of me. Today was good and bad. It’s a mix of feelings. I really wanted to be in the Final, but that’s Chopes. Teahpo’o already gave me so many good waves, so many good results, so I can’t complain.”

Gold Medal Matchup

It was clear who was the crowd favorite going into the Finals. It was clear the whole damn time down here in Teahupo’o. Local boy Kauli Vaast, one of the best surfers out at Chopes, coming up against an international, hungry, patriotic banquet of talent. But this is his spot, and it showed.

After 10 minutes of no waves, Kauli threw the first blow – a 9.50. He came out of the tube, arms held high, flexing…like a prize fighter. Talk about setting the bar high. Jack cracked back with a 7.13. But Kauli backed it up with another, shorter tube for an 8.17. Then, the ocean went silent.

Jack was on the ropes. He didn’t catch another wave. When Kauli arrived on the beach, it felt like the whole world was there, represented by the tiny town of Teahupo’o, to celebrate.

But, of course, Jack took the Silver medal with stride.

“The medals are getting shinier for sure!” Jack said, referring to Owen Wright’s Bronze medal for Australia at Tokyo 2020 2021. “I feel amazing. You always wanna go one better, but it’s been such a long ride, and I have a lot more to come. Kauli is amazing. I knew it would be a good matchup. I’m right where I’m meant to be, man. I’m dedicating this medal to my son, for sure. He just got his new room, so we’ll hang it right there in his room.”

As for Kauli, and the dream run for the hometown hero:

“It’s a dream come true,” he said. “I just made history – for me, for all of Tahitians, for surfing. I can’t be more proud to represent Tahiti and France. I lost my voice; I was screaming as hard as I could. I had the mana, and it went my way. Surfing was born in Polynesia, and now I just won, so it means a lot to me. If you want something, you can do it. Just don’t give up. Trust the process.”

Final results: