To wear or not to wear helmets on the dangerous Teahupo’o wave – Technologist

After months of preparation, Teahupo’o finally welcomed its prestigious guests. Behind the coral reef, under the watchful eye of dozens of the organization’s boats, the 48 Olympic athletes tested themselves in training sessions between Sunday 21, and Thursday, July 25. Sitting on their boards, looking out to sea, the world’s best surfers waited for the wave on which they will try to win a medal. The competition began on Saturday, July 27. They all know that the mythical wave will not be kind. Yet only a handful of them have been wearing helmets in recent days.

Keala Kennelly was disfigured, Baptiste Gossein was left paralyzed, Ethan Ewing – who qualified with Australia for the Olympic Games in Paris – fractured two vertebrae, and Briece Taera died after breaking her back. The Teahupo’o wave has made countless victims. When it closes, the “jaw” snatches up everything that gets between its teeth, before hurling its force against the sharp coral. Some professional surfers therefore opt for helmets. It’s a divisive choice.

Local Kauli Vaast, who qualified for the Paris Olympics with the French team, was one of the first to wear one after injuring himself as a child. This obligation on the part of his parents earned him some mockery, but he has no regrets. “I was one of the first to wear a helmet with some of the older surfers. Little by little, I realized that it wasn’t lame and old-fashioned. To make up for that, I deliberately wore yellow, green and neon pink ones,” recalled the French athlete.

‘Quite disorientating’

The equipment is something that many adopt after sustaining serious injuries. But some have not had the luck to recover. Germany’s Tim Elter also opted for a helmet after an injury and will be wearing one during the Olympic competition. “As a professional, it’s the most responsible thing to do, to show that it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

He has made raising awareness his mission. “I don’t think you should wait until you’re injured to wear a helmet, even if you’re an amateur. When you’re starting out, the first thing you’re taught is how to protect your head, but it’s difficult to get it right at the beginning. This protection can prevent major injuries, particularly for children, whose brains are still developing.”

While the helmet is reassuring for some professionals, others, although aware of its benefits, are put off by its lack of comfort. “The water gets stuck in your ears and that affects your balance,” explained Peruvian surfer Lucca Mesinas. French surfer Vahine Fierro also pointed to this imbalance, which even makes her “nauseous.” After the Games, the Polynesian wants to take some time to get used to it. “It’s quite disorientating, it blocks out the noises. And when you catch a wave, the water passing between your skull and your helmet pulls on your head,” said Johanne Defay from La Réunion.

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