As the birthplace of surfing, Tahiti has a storied history. While the French Polynesian origins of surfing are widely known amongst the surf community, it wasn’t until Teahupo’o was chosen as the home of the 2024 Paris Olympics that Tahiti was truly put on the map as a surf destination.
Born and raised in Papeete, Tahiti, Mihimana Braye has been surfing Tahiti’s countless reef and beach breaks since he was six years old. He recently won the Sunset Pro and is hopeful to win a medal in the Olympics at Teahupo’o, which also happens to be one of his homebreaks. We caught up with Braye and asked him about the surf culture in Tahiti, his thoughts on the Olympics being held in French Polynesia, and his goals looking forward.
What was it like growing up as a surfer in Tahiti?
Growing up in Tahiti was a blessing for sure because it’s a beautiful tropical island. We get the best waves in the world, so it was impossible for me to not even practice surfing. The tropical weather really helps too because it’s hot and warm all year. We have a lot of islands and a lot of beautiful, secret waves.
I was a kid who had a lot of energy, so my mom and dad just wanted [me] to do a sport to put that energy somewhere. I finally got to try surfing at the age of six. My mother was already doing some bodyboarding and my father was surfing, so it was easy for them. I got hooked from the first day and my mother and father were taking me every weekend.
What’s the surf culture like in Tahiti?
The surf culture in Tahiti is really, really important with the va’a. As you know, surfing started from Tahiti years and years ago with the va’a: tThey were surfing with the va’a between islands. Surfing is pretty big in Tahiti, especially with the Olympics coming it’s really important.
When did you first start competing?
I started competing one year after I started surfing, so at seven years old. Mostly locally, so all those local contests in Tahiti. I was doing them, and I started really liking competition and then I won a couple of local titles like the Tahitian Championship.
At the age of 11/12, we started travelling around Australia because that was our region. Australia had a couple of contests and I wanted to see what my level was compared to international. At the age of 14, I was doing the pro juniors and stuff and my first QS was in France when I was 15. I started there and then won Rangiroa Pro QS contest when I was 16—that’s when I started doing the QS competition around the world.
What was it like spending COVID/quarantine at home?
To spend time at home during COVID was for sure a blessing because I was traveling for a few years trying to qualify for the CT. It felt good to have a little break. It was kind of a weird time for everyone and for me because I lost two years from reaching my goals and everything went so fast, so it was kind of hard to find motivation. But I also got to surf perfect waves at home and visit the island more—it was a different time and I learned a lot for sure.
What do you consider your home break?
My homebreak is Taharuu Papara. I live right in front of this beach break. They used to have a QS 1000 there. And also Teahupo’o. I’ve been spending my whole live at those two places that I consider my homebreaks.
How would you describe Teahupo’o to someone that isn’t familiar with the wave?
Teahupo’o is scary but at the same time the most beautiful wave in the world. You just have to try to not really think about it. If you really want it, then you’ve got to go and spend some time there. But always trust your first instinct: If you feel like you don’t want to go, don’t go because it’s a dangerous wave and everything can happen so fast. But she’s so beautiful and there’s a lot of mana, energy.
What are your thoughts on the Olympics being held at Teahupo’o?
I feel like the Olympics could be good for Tahiti. Especially because Teahupo’o is one of the best waves in the world. The show will be amazing, especially if there’s some good swell. The Olympics is really new for surfing so we get to have Teahupo’o as the second stop for surfing in the Olympics and it can be big for the population and also to get known for Tahiti, for the tourism, for everything, so it could be good. But don’t forget to respect it, respect the environment, the place, and the people.
Do you think a Polynesian has a shot at winning with local knowledge?
For sure there’s a big chance that a Polynesian can win it. There are a lot of good surfers. Vahine [Fierro] is one of them for female. I can also win this contest in Teahupo’o. Also Kauli [Vaast] has a great chance to do great things over there.
You recently took 2nd at the Sunset Pro. What was it like claiming such a big win and beating out a lot of the local talent on their home turf?
Sunset was a great experience for me. I’ve been coming here for the last ten years and trying to compete on the Triple Crown every year. We used to have Sunset and Haleiwa as a contest, so I’ve been spending a lot of time there and it was great to finally see all the work and the time starting to pay off. There were some great heats during this contest with big names like Josh Moniz, Seth Moniz, Barron Mamiya, so I was really happy with my performance.
Are there any other wins you’re particularly proud of?
Just before Sunset, I was coming off a second place in Brazil at the Corona Pro Brazil. It was a Challenger Series, one of the biggest events for our tour and that was one of the best results of my life. I also got a fifth place at the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro at Teahupo’o as part of the CT. What a year. ‘
What does a typical week look like for you?
A typical week for me is surfing every day, eating good food, having my training routine, physical training and mental training with all of my coaches, and also one day of resting (recovery, getting massage and stuff).
What would you say your greatest strengths are as a surfer?
I feel like my greatest strength right now would be my power and my barrel riding. But I can also do airs. I’m trying to be good at every aspect of it to be a well-rounded surfer and not to have any weakness in my surfing.
What are your goals looking forward?
My goal for next year is to qualify for the WCT for 2025 and stay as long as I can. After that, reach the top five and go for the world title.