Surfing made its second appearance in the Olympic Games this week in Tahiti, French Polynesia. Representing New Zealand were Billy Stairmand and Saffi Vette, who secured their Olympic spots with strong performances at the 2023 International Surfing Association World Games in El Salvador.
This was the second Olympic Games for eight-time National Champion Stairmand, who placed 9th in Tokyo, making history as the first New Zealand male to ever compete in Olympic surfing. Speaking with the NZOC beforehand, he said, “It’s unbelievable to be going to my second Olympics, I’m super proud. I’m stoked to be representing New Zealand again and I know I can do something special over there.”
For Saffi Vette, this was her first Olympics. “It’s a dream come true; I watched the Olympics growing up but never thought surfing would be involved. It’s a huge opportunity to be amongst so many amazing athletes and it’s a pretty massive achievement for a girl from Gisborne.”
An extension of the Opening Ceremony festivities in Paris took place on the shores of Tahiti, where 48 surfers (24 men and 24 women) from 21 nations gathered in Papara to celebrate the beginning of the 33rd edition of the Games, joining their national Olympic teams remotely in Paris.
The traditional ISA ‘Sands of the World’ ceremony followed, with Saffi Vette, supported by Billy, pouring the sand for New Zealand, symbolising the peaceful gathering of nations through surfing. The ISA President Aguerre concluded the ceremony, pouring sand from Rio de Janeiro, where it was first announced that surfing would be included in the Olympic Games, along with a shell from Ichinomiya Beach in Japan, where surfing’s Olympic debut took place as part of Tokyo 2020.
With formalities complete, Olympic Surfing debuted for Paris 2024 with clean four-to-six feet of swell and barely any wind. Round 1 of the men’s and women’s events saw both Billy and Saffi take to the water. No eliminations took place, with first place in each heat progressing to Round 3 and the remaining surfers reseeded into Round 2.
Billy competed in Heat 5 against Brazilian big wave surfer Joao Chianca and Moroccan charger Ramzi Boukhiam. Despite a solid performance, he was reseeded into Round 2. Chianca took the win, with Boukhiam also progressing.
In Heat 7 of the women’s round, Saffi faced Nadia Erostarbe of Spain and Siqi Yang of China. Erostarbe dominated the heat, while Saffi, looking comfortable, was reseeded into Round 2.
On Day 2, the pressure increased with eliminations coming into play. Saffi competed in Round 2 against Portuguese surfer Yolanda Hopkins. Challenging conditions saw Vette exit the event in 17th position.
Billy’s final heat of the event was against Brazilian Felipe Toledo. Despite a strong performance, Billy exited the event, with Toledo advancing.
Reflecting on his journey, Billy shared on social media, “Man, what a journey. What an experience. 2 x Olympian. What an honour. Emotions are running high. All I can say is I’m happy. Obviously, would have loved making that heat and going further in the event. But I gave it everything and am so stoked I stuck it to the world champ and had an amazing and fun heat. Left it all out there.”
Saffi and Billy will now head to Paris to join the team for the remainder of the event and to attend the closing ceremony.
