We are so stoked to have Hira Teriinatoofa as our guest for the Tahiti version of Notes From the Line-Up. He is such a humble and modest guy, it’s easy to forget that he charges Teahupo’o on days when few others would consider leaving the channel. A former quarterfinalist at this event, we thought Hira a perfect go-to guy when seeking some locals-only information for stop 7 of the 2016 WSL tour. We must have known something, as he managed to qualify for the main event as a wildcard after the interview process had started.

We last caught Hira on the evening of his quarterfinals finish at the the Air Tahiti Nui trials. Here’s the sum of his insightful thoughts into the upcoming contest:

So, Hira, how would you describe yourself for anyone unfamiliar with you? Are you a surf coach, a free-surfer, a competition surfer?

All three, my friend.

Fair enough. Did I miss anything?

And my sons’ daddy, haha.

A coach for sure, a free-surfer yeah, and competitions sometimes, depending on when I want to be competitor, haha.

How about a “Knight of the order of Tahiti nui”?

Haha. Where did you hear about that? That was years ago, when the government weren’t sure if they wanted to be called Tahiti or Tahiti nui. They gave out these ‘Knight’ titles to people, hoping that it would be popular and that people would vote for them at the time. It was supposed to give me priority and access to go see the president, but it never happened.

So can we call you ‘Sir Hira’?

Haha, I just like Hira. I don’t know about the ‘sir’.

You’ve done a few QS and CT events, you’re two-time ISA world champ. As a father, could you ever see yourself committing to a full year of the QS grind?

Oh yeah, if I get an opportunity I will give the QS another try. It would be a full year, ‘cause my sons will give me the motivation to commit and do it properly.

What are your favourite breaks on the QS tour? I can’t imagine a Teahupo’o native enjoying the HB hop…

Haha, but I love it!

I love France, Portugal, Canaries, Hawaii, all over…

As a coach and local, you must have some insights into surfing Teahupo’o. Describe the wave for anyone who hasn’t been there; how is it different from other waves and what are the keys to surfing it well?

It totally depends on the size; Teahupo’o can be fun or scary. It’s a wave with no pass; you have to kick out before the close out. It’s steep and thick, so you really need to make sure you’re fully going, committed always. Also, get the right board under your feet to get comfortable.

If you want to come and surf Teahupo’o, please get ready and make sure you’re going because you feel good about it, not because you have to prove something or you have someone teasing you, haha.

When a big swell is coming from the South-West, the wave can bend around towards you as well, which can catch some people out.

What are your favourite conditions for Teahupo’o? Do you like the bigger stuff, or is it more fun when it’s around 3-4’?

Both. Big scary stuff feels good afterwards, but head high is really fun and just makes you want more. I just need the right boards under my feet though; it’s hard because I don’t have shaper for Teahupo’o with whom I can work on it. I’m just getting boards from friends and riding them. It’s hard to get a board sponsor here, and boards are pretty expensive.

Are you saying that you’ll be riding borrowed boards for the world tour event?

I have my own boards too, it just depends on the conditions.

Who from the WCT is already in Tahiti? Did anyone get there early to practise?

Wilko was one of the first guys I saw here, and Flores too. They left again before the trials, but they were here early. Ace as well. Jadson Andre arrived before the others. Other than that, it was mostly trials guys and some young Billabong kids here a week ago.

Now most of the guys are here: John, Adriano, Keanu, Italo, Freestone… I haven’t personally seen any of the rookies out there yet though.

As a fantasy surfing site, our big focus is on selecting the best team of surfers for each event. Do you play any of the fantasy surfing games?

No, but I’ve heard about it.

We’d be happy to give you some tips! It’s what we do best…

Cool!*

Regardless of fantasy teams, which tour surfers do you rate at Teahupo’o?

Kelly, JJF and Medina are definitely the top three. Owen and CJ too, but they aren’t here this year…

Other guys charge, like Michel, but those three have the flow, the control when it’s big, they have an insane approach.

What about the trials winner?

Bruno will be hard to beat, but he has John John in his first heat.

And yourself, are you a danger man?

Me? I’m nice; not dangerous.

You made the Quarters back in 2004, do you have any goals or hopes for 2016?

I don’t know for now, I just want to relax and see what the ocean’s going to offer. For sure I want to at least get to the quarters.

Have you seen the forecast?

No, not yet; I just got home from the trials and then did the interview with you…

Sorry. It doesn’t look great.

Really? Big and shiet, or small and shiet? Haha

Pretty small.

Ouch. We’ll have to make do with what we have. It’s not easy when it’s small though, like at the trials today; conditions were hard and whoever got the good wave got the win. The good waves don’t always hit the same part of the reef either, so you have to be ready.

Well, we’re hoping you can score some heat wins for sure; you’re always great to watch out there at Teahupo’o. Thanks for the insights and good Luck!

Thanks brother, I’ll just give and get the best that I can.

* Hira eventually decided to put together a WSL fantasy team. The final Tier C position will go to Hira himself (after some gentle arm-twisting from us) once the wildcard places are available: