Paris Olympics Surfing Heats in Tahiti Postponed Due to Unfavorable Conditions

Heats of the Paris Olympics surfing competition in Tahiti have been postponed through Wednesday afternoon owing to unfavorable conditions. Officials, along with Olympic athletes, assessed the waves and decided to delay the event. The surf forecast is crucial for scheduling, with only four days available during the 10-day window.

Heats of the Paris Olympics surfing competition were postponed through Wednesday afternoon in Tahiti due to unfavorable conditions.

Officials gathered onshore Wednesday morning to deliberate after a boat ride to assess the competition's surfing area. Athletes observed the waves from ashore, their arms folded in contemplation. Ultimately, the call was made: the competition was postponed.

Normally bustling with jet skis and boats, the area around the wave was nearly empty of maritime traffic on Wednesday morning.

Surf forecasts determining expected swells, angles, and wave sizes are critical for scheduling the Paris Olympics surfing competition. Only four days within a 10-day window are reserved for the event, necessitating optimal timing.

Technical delegates were anticipated to decide on the next possible date for the upcoming heats by late Wednesday afternoon in Tahiti.

This marked the second consecutive day of competition postponements.

After a lackluster Sunday, Monday morning brought impressive waves and energy for the men's heats, though conditions declined around midday due to a storm, postponing the women's afternoon competition.

The remaining competition features a single-elimination, head-to-head bracket, with two surfers per heat advancing through to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final gold medal heat.

(With inputs from agencies.)