What a thrilling time to be a rookie on the dream tour. You slog it out on the WQS for a full year at the very least, clawing for a coveted spot on the ASP world tour. Then once you get there they announce that after the first 5 events of the next season, the top 44 will be trimmed to the top 32. Oh, and the last contest before the cutoff? Teahupoo. We are about to witness a group of rookies, and even a few veterans, with their careers on the line as they stare down the reef at what is undoubtedly the scariest wave on tour. Rookies like Dusty Payne, Matt Wilko, Adam Melling, Nate Yeomans, Blake Thornton, and the Gudasukas brothers are all in danger, as well as veterans like Dean Morrison, Kieren Perrow, Tom Whitaker, Luke Stedman, and Jeremy Flores.
In 2003 just before the trials started local surfer Briece Tarea was killed at Teahupoo when a freak 12 foot set caught him inside. He was driven into the reef face first with enough force to break his back and crack his skull. In fact, the word "Teahupoo" translates to something to the effect of "to sever the skull". Ok, now imagine knowing that those could be the consequences if you make a mistake, and also knowing that if you dont win the heat you could lose your only shot at making a career on the dream tour. Talk about thrills. Here is the glory that awaits them if they succeed...
