Gallery: Intimate Moments from Surfing’s Historic Paris 2024 Olympics Finale

Jack Robinson (Silver), Kauli Vaast (Gold), Gabriel Medina (Bronze).<p>Photo: Ryan "Chachi" Craig</p>
Jack Robinson (Silver), Kauli Vaast (Gold), Gabriel Medina (Bronze).

Photo: Ryan "Chachi" Craig

Olympic surfing’s grand finale, the coup de grace, went down at Teahupo’o, Tahiti on Monday, August 5th after 10 days of fun waves, massive waves, dangerous conditions, career-culminating upsets, random celebrity sightings, viral images and, of course, gold medals. Caroline Marks took it home for the women, and local boy Kauli Vaast for the men.

It was a slog; it was historic; it was a full-on surf bender, and one seen ‘round the world.

Related: Kauli Vaast Wins Men’s Olympic Surfing Gold Medal

I think I speak for the rest of the surf world – from the competitors, to the fans, to the staff, and the media on the ground – that the collective hangover is real right now. The literal hangover from the last night’s festivities, and the emotional one from such an exciting, memorable event.

This was one for the history books. And waking up at the ass crack of dawn on Tuesday morning following the Finals, bleary-eyed, shells of humans, to catch our flights back home – side note: Caroline Marks got a shoutout from the captain on our flight, followed by a roaring applause in the cabin – it was a struggle to process all that went down, particularly on the ultimate day.

Related: Caroline Marks Wins Women’s Olympic Surfing Gold Medal

But we’ve popped 12 Advils, had four coffees, and we’re still relishing in the moments that made Finals Day so special. The adrenaline is still flowing, in spite of the 10-day marathon, and the celebratory debauchery at the end of the event. So, below, see BTS photos from beach and water that capture that magic of Finals Day – competitors kissing medals, groms gone wild, all of it.

[All photos courtesy of Ryan “Chachi” Craig]

The winners for the women: Tatiana Weston-Webb (Silver), Caroline Marks (Gold), and Johanne Defay (Bronze).
The winners for the women: Tatiana Weston-Webb (Silver), Caroline Marks (Gold), and Johanne Defay (Bronze).
Groms gone wild!
Groms gone wild!
The men's medal-crowning ceremony.
The men's medal-crowning ceremony.
All of Teahupo'o (and then some) showed up for the medal-crowning ceremony.
All of Teahupo'o (and then some) showed up for the medal-crowning ceremony.
Luke Egan, Team USA.
Luke Egan, Team USA.
Kauli Vaast, relishing the moment with his local fans.
Kauli Vaast, relishing the moment with his local fans.
Johanne Defay, slotted in the Teahupo'o vortex.
Johanne Defay, slotted in the Teahupo'o vortex.
A whale breaches during the Semifinals between Brisa Hennessy and Tatiana Weston-Webb.
A whale breaches during the Semifinals between Brisa Hennessy and Tatiana Weston-Webb.
Tatiana Weston-Webb, carving to a Silver medal.
Tatiana Weston-Webb, carving to a Silver medal.
Caroline Marks, tube-riding to Gold.
Caroline Marks, tube-riding to Gold.
Marks, eyes on the prize.
Marks, eyes on the prize.
Jack Robinson, zen mode.
Jack Robinson, zen mode.
Gabriel Medina got fiery in the Bronze medal matchup for the win.
Gabriel Medina got fiery in the Bronze medal matchup for the win.
Gabe, setting up for a cracker.
Gabe, setting up for a cracker.
Jack Robinson and Gabriel Medina, moments before squaring up in the Semis.
Jack Robinson and Gabriel Medina, moments before squaring up in the Semis.
Gabriel Medina, locked in.
Gabriel Medina, locked in.
Alonso Correa, narrowly missing the Bronze to Medina.
Alonso Correa, narrowly missing the Bronze to Medina.
Caroline Marks, victorious.
Caroline Marks, victorious.
Johanne Defay, smooching her new hardware.
Johanne Defay, smooching her new hardware.
The men's champions: <em>Jack Robinson (Silver), Kauli Vaast (Gold), Gabriel Medina (Bronze).</em>
The men's champions: Jack Robinson (Silver), Kauli Vaast (Gold), Gabriel Medina (Bronze).
Kauli Vaast and the best moment of his life...so far.
Kauli Vaast and the best moment of his life...so far.
Jack Robinson's salute to local hero Kauli Vaast.
Jack Robinson's salute to local hero Kauli Vaast.
And the crowd goes wild! Kauli Vaast takes a victory lap.
And the crowd goes wild! Kauli Vaast takes a victory lap.
Vaast, arms raised, all smiles.
Vaast, arms raised, all smiles.
Very few know the tube at Teahupo'o as well as Kauli Vaast.
Very few know the tube at Teahupo'o as well as Kauli Vaast.
Jack Robinson is no stranger to heaving lefthand tubes, either.
Jack Robinson is no stranger to heaving lefthand tubes, either.
An early lead for Kauli Vaast in the Final.
An early lead for Kauli Vaast in the Final.
Johanne Defay, grateful for the Olympic opportunity.
Johanne Defay, grateful for the Olympic opportunity.
Alonso Correa, defeated after the Bronze medal match against Gabriel Medina.
Alonso Correa, defeated after the Bronze medal match against Gabriel Medina.
Gabriel Medina in the tube, Alonso Correa over the top.
Gabriel Medina in the tube, Alonso Correa over the top.
What's a contest at Teahupo'o without a few rock dances? Here's Gabriel Medina, boogying.
What's a contest at Teahupo'o without a few rock dances? Here's Gabriel Medina, boogying.