The Heaviest Wave in the World: Surfing at Teahupo'o

[liveonearth]

Don't forget to breathe while watching this. I would have passed out if I didn't remind myself to take a deep breath every now and then. THIS is why the ocean frightens me. Big water on the river is still itty bitty teeny weenie compared to this.

Wikipedia: It was only in 1998, at the Gotcha Tahiti Pro, that Teahupo'o became widely recognized as having some of the heaviest waves in the world. ...Teahupo'o translates roughly to "place of skulls" or "to sever the head". It is a shallow reef break located in the South Pacific, off the southwest coast of Tahiti in French Polynesia.

This day at Teahupoo- Aug 27th 2011 during the Billabong Pro waiting period is what many are calling the biggest and gnarliest Teahupoo ever ridden. Chris Bryan was fortunate enough to be there working for Billabong on a day that will go down in the history of big wave surfing. The French Navy labeled this day a double code red prohibiting and threatening to arrest anyone that entered the water.

Kelly Slater described the day by saying "witnessing this was a draining feeling being terrified for other people's lives all day long, it's life or death. Letting go of that rope one time can change your life and not many people will ever experience that in their life."

All images where shot by Chris Bryan using the Phantom HD Gold camera. To see more of Chris' work check out his website: http://www.chrisbryanfilms.com/