Gabriel Medina Soars on TIME’s Top 100 Photos of 2024

Surfing goes mainstream.

Talking with TIME, Brouillet broke down the image: “so to be fair, if all conditions are met—weather, waves, light, if the boat driver is in the right position, and if you know how to use your camera—you can take good images of surfing in Teahupo'o.” He adds: “All the rest is experience, timing, and a bit of luck! This differentiates a good shot from a great shot.”

As you may recall, SURFER was on the ground for the Paris 2024 Olympics at Teahupo’o, with a writer on the beach fielding interviews (yours truly) and a photographer in the water capturing the historic event (Ryan “Chachi” Craig). Speaking about that image in particular, Chachi said:

“I wish it was mine. [Laughs.] I don’t know a single photographer out here who wouldn’t have wanted 190,000 new followers in two days. That may sound silly, because what are followers? But that equals notoriety, and a lot of work is going to come his way. To his credit, I have that photo, and half of the press boat is in it. Half of the other photographers are looking at their cameras, and not shooting the kickout. They’re looking at the barrel shot they just took. I give him credit for being prepared to shoot a sharp photo at the right moment. I can’t hate on it.”

The surf image seen ‘round the world continues its viral tour.