Biggest, Scariest Teahupoo in Over a Decade

July 13th, 2022 will go down in history at Teahupo'o. Biggest, scariest day in more than a decade, prompting local officials to call a "Code Red" -- no nautical activities for 24 hours -- for the first time since 2011. And it was a session more than a decade in the making as well -- most of the surfers who tackled these beasts were children during the original Code Red swell in 2011. They grew up in the shadow of its legends and this was their chance to make their own. Here’s the entire Surfline Swell Story, documented from all angles and with behind-the-scenes interviews from those who were lucky enough to experience this historic day. Surfers include: Matahi Drollet, Emieo Czermak, Noah Beschen, Lucas Chumbo, Koa Rothman, Tereva David, Justine Dupont and Billy Kemper.
Through the Lens of: Tim McKenna, Anuanua Lucas, Pedro Bala, Tereva David, Lea Hahn, Diego Balestro.
Edited by: Graham Nash
0:01 Intro
0:51 The Swell
3:31 First Wave Ridden
5:00 Matahi Drollet
5:40 Lucas Chumbo
6:04 Billy Kemper
6:36 Kala Grace
7:24 Noah Beschen
8:26 Code Red 2 Swell Recap
Watch the Teahupoo live cam: surfl.in/2XG6sPh
Become a Surfline Premium Member: surfl.in/2Cd36tF

[@IK_1980]

Noah’s wave was soo deep and so powerful. Can’t believe he came out.

[@Surfline]

His first tow wave ever as well!

[@RA-zu8zj]

@@Surfline Sheer perfection.

[@livebaitlarry5783]

yea. it was so powerful that to this day they still cant find his ark.

[@Honehail]

heyyyy good for him :)

[@Animalmanager]

He straight up teleported out of that one.

[@BradYaeger]

That's not even a wave. It's an upside down ocean .

[@PlaySA]

That Noah Beschen wave was the clear standout. Absolutely incredible. Kudos to everyone who took a wave or participated in water rescue, glad everyone's safe and some absolute monsters were ridden.

[@YourTikPage21]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGLPiqtvqJ6Kbtk

[@rhcpalex93]

Can't believe Noah made that wave at 07:50. Insanity!

[@Therealeliberengut]

INSANE!!!!!!

[@OIP_1]

i had to rewind it a few times!

[@XiD0]

he got spat out so fast!

[@YourTikPage21]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGLPiqtvqJ6Kbtk

[@nikolaush3414]

It looked completely impossible. Like 1 in a million - that was pure flow.

[@TheJunglecrab]

Of all the extreme sports, this seems like it requires the most skill and the most courage… imo. So terrifying yet so intriguingly compelling.

[@waynehearst317]

How crazy to witness a whole generation of surfers. I followed a young Shane Beschen's career and now to see his son ripping some of the biggest waves of the year is kinda crazy.

[@tellavist]

Noah's wave is a wave of the year contender for sure. That was so gnarly.

[@YourTikPage21]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGLPiqtvqJ6Kbtk

[@PlaySA]

Can never get enough Teahupoo drone footage. So good

[@dojahman]

The drone footage is really interesting. There are no lines coming in, but you literally see the whole ocean fold over on the reef. That's like flat in hawaiian measurements.

[@richardjones2006]

I have sat and watched Puerto do the same, not a discernible bump in the ocean and then....boom! A week and 25 years ago, I can still "feel" the moment when it all went wrong halfway through the drop.

[@dojahman]

@@richardjones2006 that's funny, i surfed puerto in 2009 and also remember how it went wrong. Ended up with a couple stiches in my knee. I definitely underestimated that drop too.

[@YourTikPage21]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGLPiqtvqJ6Kbtk

[@MachuDidgeridoo]

Hawaiian measurements are annoying and dismissive.

[@nyazz22]

@@MachuDidgeridoo 👎🏾

[@davidcoleman757]

Never been a surfer. Heck, I can barely swim. But I love watching surf films. The footage here was unbelievable. That Noah run at 7.50 - wow!

[@antonmk1244]

I never saw that a ride at 7:50, ever.

[@DrKillFeeDZ]

Mad respect to billy kemper for bouncing back after his wipeout. Takes major guts and mental strength to overcome that. When i saw teahupoo hit 30-35ft on surfline, I knew we'd see some mutants

[@surfarijeff7884]

X-Men for XXL mutant waves

[@kristofferkarlsson4260]

05:38 "After the accident we realized it was huge and dangerous". Oh, is that so? I had no idea a 10 meter wave could be nothing than harmless.

[@YourTikPage21]

this is what I'm looking for, kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGLPiqtvqJ6Kbtk

[@leaaldenhoff8500]

Well I guess that explain a lot, it takes big wave surfer just much longer to realize a situation is actually dangerous

[@richevans609]

Not many Mensa Scholars but they are stoked... for sure... with a Flat Brim Cap on.

[@xZOOMORPHICx]

At this point it's a thirty foo wall of ocean just folding over, and it's absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing.

[@garcurran5079]

Yes, and a curving wave!

[@bpmosby]

Magnificently Bodacious. The footage, the place the people, the waves the surfers, the locals everyone, and everything, thankyou for sharing this once in a lifetime event. God Bless All .

[@YourTikPage21]

this is what I'm looking for, kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGLPiqtvqJ6Kbtk

[@myblacklab7]

I like "magnificently bodacious" 🤙

[@paulandbiancaadventures3458]

That is so scary. Hope nobody suffered any serious injury. Hats off to the surfers and the local people.

[@fredrickstephens5586]

@annag cocl Slightly understated, but yes, pretty much like that.

[@michaelsiy2465]

Balls and commitment. I'm so curious as to how these guys take wipeouts with waves this big. I know I'll never find out on my own. Respect.

[@kristofferkarlsson4260]

Just plein stupidity, if you ask me.

[@hipsonsogbo]

Same here I can't believe they can survive it, how does it not shake them to death?

[@YourTikPage21]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGLPiqtvqJ6Kbtk

[@J.J.J.J.J.J.J]

​@@hipsonsogbo You just relax and go with the flow. The worst part is if you get the air knocked out of you.

[@TheOgnum]

Ordinary people have no idea the skill and courage it would take to surf this place.

[@cyninbend]

Yes we do.

[@Dobertathon]

@@cyninbendYou've never surfed, and if you have, you've never surfed a wave over your head.

[@kaiberberich1]

not to mention the balls to the wall lunacy of thinking... "yeah ... I can do that" in the first place

[@ComedyByAlan]

He said only a dozen waves were ridden that day. I wonder if it was inconsistent or they were just super selective about what to ride. If those guys were letting waves go you know they were insane

[@BxgDxwg]

I feel like it’s pretty selective, those guys can read waves when out in the lineup, they’re insane. When I go surf I feel the same way..

[@donaldwilson5693]

@@BxgDxwg I was surprised by that comment, too. Can you give a non-surfer like myself some idea of what criteria they were looking for - only the biggest waves? Do some look like they will give a better ride than others/

[@YourTikPage21]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGLPiqtvqJ6Kbtk

[@westoneuler4065]

@@donaldwilson5693 When you fall on Jaws or Nazaré there’s definitely a chance you bottom out, but the difference here is that Chopes is situated over a live coral reef, and it’s a very forceful, heavy lipped wave that shoots you to the bottom hard. Thanks to the reef that means serious injuries are likely if you get caught inside, so you gotta be extra choosey out there in a normal scenario. In a code red swell, those risks multiply. If the offshore winds (winds going out to sea from the coast) are coming and going that can affect the shape of the wave as well, causing more close outs/bad waves, and the guys who live and breathe big waves are pretty good at reading them ahead of time. hope this helps🤙🏼

[@myblacklab7]

@@westoneuler4065 Interesting. How do they know which waves to take, and which to pass up? Are they looking for particular qualities of the wave, or do they mostly just go by feel? I once watched a bunch of surfers not-surf big wave after big wave, and in that case it just seemed like everyone was intimidated by the size of the waves, and no one summoned the courage to try to ride one.

[@francus7227]

99% of people wouldn't jump into a swimming pool from 20 feet up. Now imagine someone dropping a swimming pool on your head from 20 feet up.

[@golive3895]

Amazing content, well done by the surfers, videographers, editors and Surfline. 🙌

[@YourTikPage21]

this is what I'm looking for, kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGLPiqtvqJ6Kbtk

[@hman7236]

Noah's wave was mental

[@mrtrza]

one of the best waves/rides ive ever seen

[@hman7236]

@@mrtrza absolute one for tales when he is old

[@DeadSezSo]

Absolutely unreal...the world really is a beautiful place. These guys are amazing

[@CjbrkBrooks]

Mesmerizing….grew up in the ocean, but have never surfed. You guys have GUTS! You’re amazing athletes. Stay safe.

[@reddiver7293]

Great coverage of great riders on a great wave on a great swell! Thank you.

[@YourTikPage21]

this is what I'm looking for, kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGLPiqtvqJ6Kbtk

[@Extinction.of.Innocense]

Noah's without a doubt, the best ride I've ever seen. Should be ride of the year if not one of the best ... Top ten ever?

[@hc338]

7:45 XXL contender! Even the drone narrowly escaped that monster.

[@grenerd161]

Unreal, thank you so much to all the surfers and rescue that made this content possible. The kids are alright......🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@YourTikPage21]

this is what I'm looking for, kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGLPiqtvqJ6Kbtk

[@zack.mitchell9738]

the energy from this videos is so beautiful

[@benruefmedia]

Wow so good. Must have been one of the most incredible human experiences available on Earth.

[@YourTikPage21]

this is what I'm looking for, kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGLPiqtvqJ6Kbtk

[@C.Hawkshaw]

OK, I’m a grandma. I’ve been following Koa for a few years and watched all Billy’s recovery vids. I don’t like you boys going out in those conditions!

[@lindabuck2777]

Yeah Gramma, me too! 67! But the whole village is my grandkids since ive none yet. Now, you and I know we taught them to climb the highest mountains, and we taught them fear is our PARTNER not our LEADER so my prayers joined with your prayers are power to bring their wondrous selves back to us🙏🏻 So we send them in flight knowing a peaceful return🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️

[@Stevos_HookedonRods4844]

@@lindabuck2777 🙏 Amen

[@ryhk3293]

@@lindabuck2777 That's exactly what a friend climbed the Seven Summits (highest mountain on each continent). He's all about big wave now. I fear for him because he doesn't fear enough for himself.

[@Double-Exposure]

Trying to find my jaw that dropped under table. Absolute insanity; I am not a surfer and I can't imagine the size of everyone's cojones who was surfing these monsters. Much respect!

[@YourTikPage21]

oh good... this is what I'm looking for, kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGLPiqtvqJ6Kbtk

[@lucasmulvehill6300]

Matahi’s wave was the biggest craziest wave ever, I was seriously impressed and scared for him at the same time

[@vandanasairaj7495]

The drone shots are impeccable 👌 Thank you for taking me on this journey with you...great respect for the surfers the life guards and the team.... As a kid grew up watching in awe the old spice ad on TV... But this is epic ..had my fist clenched and heart in my mouth

[@YourTikPage21]

this is what I'm looking for, kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGLPiqtvqJ6Kbtk

[@cyninbend]

Next time you cover one of these, maybe you could film and ask the guys to talk about a little bit of what the jet ski driver and surfer see so they know where the wave will build, what ir looks like, when it starts to curl and fold over, what they see inside those caves formed by the water, and what speeds they move at--slower and faster at what points and why? A little lesson and 1st hand experiencing for non-surfers? These guys have the equivalent of PhDs in these kinds of waves and how to ride them. Thanks so much!

[@TheKenzaya]

Noah’s wave was on another level of already crazy levels!!

[@st3ppenwolf]

Some of the best footage for this type of sports. Smaller than Nazare but much more enjoyable to watch

[@jeffreeves7212]

That Noah Beschen wave...how did he make it out? I thought he was fish food. The BALLS these guys have are beyond measure...SICK AF!

[@gSalTX]

Amazing how thick those waves are. Looks so crazy. Must feel so different.

[@KindaGross]

beautiful video. 6:50 is gorgeous

[@reymas7749]

Vicariously living through your video

[@drugzero2030]

This made me cry.... It's poetry!

[@skatepark1ful]

WOW WOW WOW!!!!!! Thank y’all SO MUCH for making this VIDEO!!! I wish I could....! Oh well. Thank you again, CHEERS TO Y’ALL, and Much Aloha!!--to everyone!!

[@blakeberge2313]

That was absolutely incredible. Noahs wave may be the wave of the year.

[@KompletterGeist]

Noah's wave was insane...I can feel the stoke coming through my screen. Must've been legendary to be there that day. That was fucking awesome!

[@southflsurfer]

Sick..looking forward to the Oahu story on this swell 2as nuts here

[@jimsurfnfish8089]

Sic footage and narration🤙🏽🍻

[@shauno7582]

I’ma lidder but my jaw instantly dropped with that opening wave of Noah’s.. Oh my Faaaarrrking goodness! Respect 🤙🏻

[@dongaza6878]

Wondering what Nate Fletcher thought of this swell when he saw everybody outrunning every barrel by 25 feet..

[@mikeluque6527]

Dude, not Noah Beschen. It was hella dark inside that tunnel.

[@fredoaqua]

Sick edit, but you just didn't put one wave of Lucas Chumbo ?? The guy have surfed something like 7 waves during the day

[@anthonyahola722]

Billy is stronger than ever. What a recovery.

[@stevenhamerlinck6832]

mind-blowing and GREAT music choice; the "mellow" music made it all the more impressive and contributes to the enormous achievements !!!

[@athma2871]

those waves are so powerful bro, it's insane

[@mattkingcome8495]

Epic footage 👌🏼

[@garyrobinson4847]

Absolutely insane,your all my heroes. Thank you 😃🤙

[@TheDruzza]

That fact that nobody died is beyond me

[@KandMe1]

It is so very beautiful I very moved by this. Thank you.

[@tonyallen8626]

Very similar to the waves we get at Bondi beach, just not quite as heavy

[@kaiberberich1]

lol... wise guy !!

[@mrtrza]

absolutely insane wave. looks like CGI

[@fidelmelara2022]

amazing but I wish you guys would of played a little bit of the rescues as well.

[@benjaminwesercreative]

how come kao rothmam not mentioned as surfer ?

[@ahipenepaenga6931]

It’s like 3 massive waves merge into 1 yo this is crazy

[@thatlovejones]

Fantastic presentation, worthy of the day.

[@georgetidd8972]

3 days of it! Great swell,,,up here in the 805

[@maddoxgamble6777]

Great video!

[@tamarangiawha3863]

What the actual Fark!!….I cannot comprehend how crazy these guys are.

[@seamuscannon4603]

Graham nash moonlighting as the editor

[@waikikibeach08]

Very well done. Thanks

[@patriciarouse2801]

Crazy shape wave and all the spray and over the outside at the end...wow!

[@cyninbend]

Kudos to the jet ski guys who take these daredevils right to the top of the waves. That is a true friend.

[@wooloongabba]

Breathtaking

[@scottburrow8717]

All the surfer that surf this wave are Legendary. It takes balls to go on a wave like this. Teahupo’s is my favorite wave to watch.

[@YourTikPage21]

seriusly? this is what I'm looking for, kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGLPiqtvqJ6Kbtk

[@zak-a-roo264]

AMAZING!!!

[@WaveformV1.0]

Noah’s wave was so deep…

[@TRUE-WORSHIPPER952]

Great footage! ( and music) thank you LAIRD HAMILTON for introducing tow-in, here so many years ago!

[@patricklaurojr7427]

Laird is the goat. And of course ppl have to insult him saying tow in isn't real surfing. I like idea of jets skis you know how many lives jet skis prob save being able to go in and grab someone quick.

[@tylerdurden6208]

I am old, but I surfed when I was young.; 60 years ago. What would be helpful to the non understanding, now that we have drones, would be to show where the wipeouts recover and re surface. We had large waves at Makaha, Pipeline, Sunset, Laneakea. I was 14 years old.

[@kevincavanaugh4358]

No Koa Rothman???

[@therealmarkchilton]

Noah may have won big wave of the year right there. OMG

[@garcurran5079]

Yep, after reading first 4 comments, the hairs stood up on my neck with Noah's wave, that was nuts, now back to rest of comments!

[@nickwood1852]

I salute all those brave guys taking on those monstrous waves

[@thecontentengineer-xyz]

Noah's wave at 07:25 has my vote.

[@captainamerica3531]

Off the charts!

[@yommmrr]

Noah tamed the bomb of the decade. Holy moly smokes.

[@Mustardboosh]

@Surflies how big would you say those waves were?

[@boogieheads]

20-30ft with a few 40s

[@LaurieGordon]

Breathtaking 🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼

[@tubosetrips164]

Scary even behind the screen, imagine live from the channel

[@eastside0434]

Watching this from my couch scares me.

[@flbizowner9384]

Koa Rothman rode that day too

[@tannerpittochii]

Surfline an Koa don’t get along😂

[@flbizowner9384]

@@tannerpittochii how so

[@28th_St_Air]

@7:38 the wave ground him up and all that was left was a rainbow.

[@FrediSaal16]

amazing video

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

I wish we could watch the videos, no music, just the actual sounds, as little editing as possible. I hate the overproduction. It’s not necessary with waves like this.

[@BirdDog.]

To bad they didn’t get more cameras out this time to document it

[@saleconomos473]

5:18 What happened to that guy?

[@inobi30]

Did matahi do a mini cutback lol

[@TheDruzza]

This makes the waves that laird surfed 20 years ago look like childs play

[@bradsillasen1972]

Dude, they stand on his shoulders.

[@TheDruzza]

@@bradsillasen1972 no $hit

[@Kevin-d5f4r]

Great Video

[@genomitchalinni8106]

That place is one of our Earth's, "Cannary in a Cole Mine", places. Right Senator Munchkin?

[@kikojonesfrank4076]

Big hart big respect to anyone drop that wave 🌊 🙌🏼

[@roygumpel8415]

totally Unreal. amazing.

[@Peace-tk3gr]

That wave's a beast.

[@JaimeAbdiel]

Brous, my respect