Should Olympic Surfing Be in a Wave Pool? 82% of People Think So.

Originally posted on SURFER | By Dashel Pierson | Last updated Aug 22, 2024 12:14 PM ET

Fresh off the heels of Paris 2024, and surfing’s second appearance in the Games 10,000 miles away from the Arc de Triomphe in Teahupo’o, Tahiti, and the surf world is already looking ahead. What could be done differently? Where should surfing be held for Los Angeles 2028? Would Olympic surfing be better suited in a wave pool going forward?

Many have voiced their opinions on the matter for the wave-pool-versus-ocean argument. Even Kelly Slater, who might be a little biased due to his wave-making side hustle (née emerging empire, with Surf Abu Dhabi opening soon), chimed in:

"After seeing both Olympics,” the 11x world champion and surfing GOAT told SURFER, “I think it’s a very different event to World Tour surfing, and I think it should be held in a wave pool with a very specific outlined format to display compulsory maneuvers and entire rides as a combination. It takes the luck out of it, and we saw a lot of luck at Teahupo'o with slow wave heats. It also is easier for the average person to understand."

Now, Sterling Spencer – one-time pro surfer turned podcaster and funnyman – has weighed in on the debate. And it looks like he’s siding with Slater on this one:

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“I’m mad at surfing in the Olympics,” Spencer said. “They have to be in wave pools from now on. They have to be. The Finals Day [at Paris 2024] was such a letdown. In the semifinal, Jack Robinson caught the only wave [Jack caught two; Gabriel Medina only caught one], so he goes to the Final. And in the Final, the guy who won [Kauli Vaast], he was the only one who caught two waves [Robbo only caught one]. It’s 15 minutes of just staring at nothing. It needs to be in wave pools…three waves minimum. It’s not timed. We have to change it. I want to see everyone get the same shot…to land this air, to link these maneuvers. That’s what’s cool about it – all the pressure. It’s down to the three last waves. Who’s gonna get the gold?”

Ostensibly, Sterling Spencer isn’t going to have any sway when it comes to where and what format future Olympic surfing events will be held. However, in his ~~post~~ rant against Olympic surfing in the ocean, he did include a poll, asking people if they think there needs to be a change. And the verdict (as of publish time)?

82% of people agreed that Olympic surfing needs a new format; 18% want it the same.

Filipe Toledo’s pants just bulged a bit.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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