Teahupo’o: Venture Into the “Pile of Heads”

Roughly translated, the Polynesian word Teahupo’o means “pile of heads.” It’s a fitting name for the location of one of the most deadly waves in surfing. Lurking as little as 20 inches beneath the great blue of Tahiti, the cutting reef that fuels the waves of Teahupo’o is a blessing and a curse, and a force that has potential to give, but also take away. Five have been killed attempting to navigate the realm between reef and wave since 2000. Still, there’s a reason Teahupo’o remains a legendary surfing destination, even given its deadly reputation. With an erie soundtrack and searingly beautiful visuals, the ethereal masterpiece by filmmaker Andrew Kaineder seems to wordlessly justify the immense risk undergone by those who seek out the most powerful waves in surfing.

Related: Sampling Tahiti's perfect overhead barrels at Teahupo'o