Helmets are not cool when surfing, but they save lives

At Teahupo’o, home of the 2024 Olympic surfing events, a wave of change is sweeping the athletes. At the heart of this development: wearing a helmet. But why the sudden interest in these protective devices in a sport known for its freedom and cool?

Teahupo’o: Deadly Beauty

Teahupo’o, whose name literally means ” The Wall of Skulls » in Tahitian, it didn’t steal his reputation. This surf spot, considered one of the most dangerous in the world, has already claimed the lives of five people and injured dozens. The reason? A deadly combination of powerful waves and a shallow, razor-sharp reef.

Imagine yourself on a 40-foot wave, hurtling toward this reef. A fall here is not trivial. That’s what’s causing some Olympic surfers to rethink their approach to safety.

Johanne Defray, a French surfer, had a bitter experience of this during his first training session on July 28. A head-first fall into the coral left him with four stitches. Since then, he has worn a helmet during sessions, a decision that could well be emulated.

The Helmet: Between Necessity and Resistance

But why is there so much debate about helmet use? After all, in other Olympic sports like whitewater kayaking or water polo, protective gear is the order of the day. The answer lies in surf culture.

A study published in 2020 onInternational Journal of Sociology of Sportwith the evocative title “’The helmets are not nice‘: Surfers’ Perceptions and Attitudes Toward Head Protection Devices’ highlights psychological and cultural barriers to helmet use.

Surfers surveyed considered helmets to be “uncomfortable” and likely to “hamper their performance.” Even more surprisingly, aesthetics play a crucial role. In a sport where style matters almost as much as performance, looking “cool” remains a major concern for many.

Changing Mindset: Safety and Performance

However, things are starting to change. Caroline Marks, a member of the U.S. team and fourth place finisher at the Tokyo Olympics, brought a helmet to Teahupo’o. While she’s not sure whether to use it yet, she acknowledges that “it’s great to have that option” and that helmets “have saved a lot of people from injury.”

Kauli Vaast, a Tahitian surfer representing France, knows the dangers of Teahupo’o. Although he doesn’t usually wear a helmet, he said in an interview with Stab Magazine in 2019 that felt “ safer » with protection on powerful waves like Teahupo’o.

This evolution of mentalities could mark a turning point in the history of surfing. Even the International Surfing Federation (ISA) has issued a recommendation in favor of wearing helmets during the Olympic Games, without making it mandatory.

Ultimately, it’s up to the athletes to decide. But as the competition heats up and the stakes get higher, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more and more helmets in the waves at Teahupo’o.