Teahupoo big waves and the future of surfing

Last week I wrote a post in the Getaway Gear blog on a new big wave surfing wetsuit that Shane Dorian and Billabong have collaborated on. The suit, dubbed the Billabong V1, has an air bladder built into it that the surfer activates when he gets into trouble. Check out ‘Can this wetsuit take big wave surfing to another level?’ for the whole story and a cool ‘Making-of’ video.

Then a reader sent me this Teahupoo video. Teahupoo is a super gnarly wave on a ‘normal’ day but the authorities had actually threatened anyone who went out on this day with prosecution. The film is beautifully shot and provides perspective to what monster waves these guys are already riding without the failsafe that the V1 ‘vertical ascent’ wetsuit will bring to the party.