Straight from Jamie Sterling – Big Wave Action in Tahiti
SURF – TAHITI
Big Wave Pro Surfer and Kaenon Polarized Team Rider, Jamie Sterling shares his recent report from the road on his latest travels and big waves across the world.
April 27, 2009
“I’m in Tahiti for my annual April/May trip. This is my 16th trip here. I usually start my 6 months of circling the globe off with French Polynesia the same time every year. Surfing the famed spot Teahupoo never gets old. The butterflies never go away no matter how many times you’ve surfed Teahupoo. I’m accompanied by young photographer Tyler Cuddy. I met him in Hawaii this past winter and he asked to travel along and document the surfing action…
We arrived on April 24 and Norman James picked us up at the airport and drove us to his house. We shacked up at his new house near big pass. It’s a 5 min Jet Ski ride to Teahupoo. I’d rather have stayed closer to the wave but since Norm stores my ski and my 4×4 Daihatsu Rocky, I’ll be staying with him.
Our second day here 4/26, we were greeted by a 8-10 ft south swell that was all worth the trip over here. I knew it would be a worthy one and booked my ticket to coincide with the swell. I’m stoked it all worked out logistically and the weather cooperated beautifully.
Tyler and I are planning on staying here until May 7. I doubt Ill stay that long. It all depends on the forecasts of course. I checked the models today and it looks like it’s going to be small. I’m entered into the Billabong trials but may pull out if the surf is going to be small. I’ll be monitoring the forecast and decide by Fri May 1 if I’m going to compete.”
Aloha~Jamie
May 6, 2009 – Moorea
“It’s been a great trip. I scored some of the biggest set waves on the first swell. I played with my go pro cameras daily and got some incredible shots. Even the small days at Tevaitit were fun. We did some wake boarding behind Moe’s boat. It’s so perfect for wake boarding in the glassy lagoon.
I decided not to do the trials. The waves were going to be small. I was not mentally ready to compete in small Teahupoo. I had been visualizing it to be big but it turned out to be only 3-5ft. Instead of the trials we initially decided to go back to Cali early. We went to dinner with Norms family Monday night and missed the flight. It was ok though cause we never changed our true flight that leaves on Thurs May 7. I said to Tyler, ‘Screw it, lets go to Moorea and surf Haupiti.’ He agreed and we left the next day.
We drove the Rocky onto the ferry and arrived here on Moorea at 1130. We headed to Marks Place Moorea, on Norm’s recommendation to me. It’s a super nice lodge with a kitchen. Mark the owner, built all the houses himself. The lodge has a real custom feel to it with all the woodwork he made. The beds are cool, each one has curtains for privacy and little windows at your feet and head. To top it off the house has screens. First house in Tahiti I’ve seen with screens. Tyler and I are sharing a whole house for 3000 FCP which is about $35 a night.
There’s Kayaks here to rent for 1000FCP which is about $15 a day that we paddle out to Haupiti. It takes about 20 min to get out there. The wave reminds me of Jockos a lil bit. Yesterday was 3-5ft w/current running thru the lineup and super fun. I randomly ran into Joe Tosi, Danielle’s brother. Small world! He came over to where we are staying to rent a kayak and we surfed the afternoon together. Random huh!
We have one last night here then we go back to Tahiti tomorrow night then fly back to Cali. We will meet Norm in the evening to drop the Rocky back with him and get some dinner then check in for the 8 hour flight to LAX.”
Aloha~Jamie
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