The view from Paris: Troubled waters for surfers in Tahiti

Meeting all the skateboarders I wrote about in Tuesday’s story made me think about surfing. Watching Olympians surf, to be clear. My skateboarding skills are bad enough; no need to trade road rash for coral cuts.

Maybe it’s just as well. All of Tuesday’s competitions were postponed because of poor sea conditions. The competition is very likely to be called on during Wednesday. Check the status here.

But that doesn’t mean we have no surfing for you. My colleagues did a story about why the waves at the “wall of skulls” are so treacherous, and columnist Sally Jenkins spoke with surfing legend Laird Hamilton about how to ride them. And if you haven’t seen it, check out the story behind this unbelievable photo.

Even Olympians find the waves at Teahupo’o, where the competition is occurring, to be unpredictable. At least two surfers have needed stitches: Australian Jack Robinson needed five in his foot; Johanne Defay of France needed four to close a head wound. She wore a helmet Sunday. Tim Elter of Germany became internet famous for losing his pants — and for his cheeky response to it.

Surfing may be back today, and I definitely will be back Thursday, writing about a tasty new topic.

Pete’s adventures are mostly those of Artur Galocha, who is reporting from Paris. They’re written by Bonnie Berkowitz and illustrated by Álvaro Valiño. Map by Laris Karklis. Editing by Jason Murray. Graphics editing by Samuel Granados. Copy editing by Ella Brockway.