Tati waits in the surf; photo courtesy of Brent Bielmann
We were recently introduced to ASP World Championship Tour newcomer Tatiana Weston-Webb, who just got back from her first trip to Tahiti.
So we got to wondering: How does a seasoned wave-chaser tackle a visit to a new surf destination? Turns out, Tati approaches travel with the same unstoppable enthusiasm that she has for her day job—she handles it like a pro.
Read on for essential travel tips to this bucket list destination.
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You recently went on your first surf trip to Tahiti. Tell us about it.
It was the most perfect set-up you could ever imagine. There was an island off a right-handed wave, where everyone was, and then there was one island off a left, where there was only one house—that’s where we stayed. I was pretty surprised because it was incredibly remote. We surfed waves with no one out, and I got the barrel of a lifetime.
Did anything surprise you?
What surprised me was the amount of sharks there. Every time we went out, the guys were like, “shark!” “Shark there.” “Shark over there.” I know there are sharks in the water, but they were much more prevalent at the spot we were surfing.
Tahiti; photo courtesy of Brent Bielmann
Did they stop you?
We kept surfing—they were reef sharks.
What did you pack?
Funny, because here I was on this really remote island, and I had just come from Europe. So I had all these fancy clothes and shoes with me. I had to ask Body Glove to bring me some more bikinis. Other than that, I had tees, shorts, my contact lenses, toothbrush, and boards.
Tati got the barrel of a lifetime on her recent trip to Tahiti. Photo courtesy of Brent Bielmann
Would you pack differently for your next trip?
Yeah, I’d pack a flashlight and an extra roll of toilet paper! I would also pack some extra clothing (to give to people on the island who needed it). I’d also bring more bikinis, additional boards, a hat, more sunscreen, and something for my lips, too. The sun there is really strong.
Tell us about your accommodations—they sounded pretty rural.
Yeah, we only had electricity from solar panels on top of the house. We used rainwater out of a bucket, and I rarely used the bathroom because it was a little scary. We had to fish for our food, and whatever else we could find. We ate a lot of poisson cru (a Tahitian raw fish dish with coconut water, lemon, and onions). You can add cucumbers and tomatoes, but they didn’t have cucumbers or tomatoes on the island. In fact, I didn’t eat any green vegetables that whole week! I ate a lot of coconuts…
Tati came away from Tahiti with a few scars, thanks to the very sharp and very alive coral she had to deal with. Photo courtesy of Brent Bielmann
What was an average day like?
We would wake up at the crack of dawn (because no one had a watch!) and check the surf. If it was good we surfed right away. If not, I made coffee, ate a coconut, some crackers, and then would go surfing. Afterward, we’d film, take photos, and then break for lunch. We’d eat some fish or chips, take about an hour break, and then surf again until dark. At dark, we’d eat dinner and go to bed because we were so exhausted by the end of the day—we’d just fall asleep (on a mattress on the floor).
Describe the surf scene in Tahiti.
It depends where you go, but the waves we surfed were unbelievable. It was shallow and super sketchy in places, but perfect. The reef is so abundant everywhere. It’s a lot sharper and alive—so you have to use lime on your cuts every time you get a scrape.
Photo courtesy of Brent Bielmann
Did you get cut? Yeah, I got cut a lot. I have a few scars.
Any surf etiquette we need to be aware of?
Always be respectful of the lineup and know what you are getting yourself into. You just really need to be aware of the conditions where you are headed, the time of day you’re surfing, and what you need to do if you get hurt or caught inside. It’s a high-end wave, so you need to be prepared.
Photo courtesy of Brent Bielmann
Got any tips for future travelers?
Definitely bring Band-Aids, triple antibiotic ointment, and some alcohol for your cuts if you go to Teahupoo! My brother developed a staph infection on the way home from Tahiti, and we had to get him straight to the hospital when we landed in Hawaii.
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