With an impressive display of Tahitian culture, the world's best surfers were welcomed to French Polynesia for four days of competition from 27 July to 5 August.

After five days of intense training on the waves of Teahupo'o, the 48 qualified surfers, 24 women and 24 men, representing 21 nations, gathered on the shores of Atimaono Park in Papara, Tahiti, to appear in the international broadcast and join their respective national Olympic teams remotely, 15,000 kilometres away.

The athletes and officials were greeted with Himene Ai'a (traditional Tahitian singing) and an Orero de Mataiea (traditional declamation) before joining the Parade of Nations, waving their flags as a large local and international crowd cheered them on.

Several dignitaries gave greetings and speeches, including French Polynesia President Moetai Brotherson, Overseas Minister Marie Guévenoux and ISA President Fernando Aguerre.

This was followed by the traditional ISA Sands of the World ceremony, where a surfer from each nation poured sand collected from a beach in their country into a single container as a symbol of the peaceful unity of the world's nations through surfing. The container will be placed in the Teahupo'o community.

President Aguerre was the last to participate, throwing in sand from Rio de Janeiro, where the inclusion of surfing in the Olympic Games was first announced, and a seashell from the beach of Ichinomiya, Japan, where surfing made its Olympic debut as part of Tokyo 2020.

Finally, fair play, humility and respect were celebrated in a Rahiri ceremony. An athlete representing each team, along with Minister Guévenoux, Presidents Aguerre and Brotherson and other dignitaries, placed banana leaves on top of each other to form a single bundle that will remain on the beach at Teahupo'o as a sign of unity.

The competitions will take place over a 10-day period from 27 July to 5 August, with Mother Nature providing 4 days for the best sporting performances. 

"What an incredible place to celebrate Olympic surfing," said ISA President Aguerre. "When Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet spoke to me about the possibility of coming to Teahupo'o, my answer was very simple: 'I love it! Here we are in beautiful Tahiti. 

"This is a magical place for everybody. What better way to celebrate Olympic surfing than in Teahupo'o, on one of the best waves in the world. Teahupo'o, Tahiti, we love you and thank you for welcoming us in such an amazing and warm way."

Aguerre also encouraged competitors and surfers worldwide with a clear message, "The oceans need us now more than ever. Let's use this special occasion to work even harder to protect the ocean and nature."