By Patricia Rossi – Tahitian Surfing Federation - www.surf.pf

The Tahitian Minister of Education, Jean Marius Raapoto, made official an agreement that registers surfing as an option for physical education requirements for the high school diploma.

This new inclusion recognizes the valuable skills acquired by surfing through practice, competition and the skill to safely interpret the different conditions in the water.

According to the Minister of Education, it was a natural choice for surfing to be accepted as an option considering its heritage in the local culture. Historically, the sport has been established as a strong cultural and patrimonial element for French Polynesia. The Tahitian Surfing Federation will be in charge of offering technical help to the specialists to ensure the safety of the participants.

The practical test will take place in two sessions, the duration of which will depend on weather conditions.

The candidates’ evaluations will be proctored by the physical education teachers and qualified judges recognized by the Tahitian Surfing Federation.

Similar to tradition, the 15^th Annual Taapuna Master contest took place with a waiting period on Taapuna Reef in September. The best Tahitian surfers competed in the event.

All of the famous Tahitian surfers attended the contest along with some other locals from the break. Even with small and mushy waves, all the competitors gave their best to make it to the finals.

In the final round, young Herimoana Luciani showed a great display of surfing, leaving Kevin Johnson in second. Herimoana surfed the left-breaking Taapuna perfectly which got him a 9 for his two best waves. Kevin was not able to overcome this score to take the first place, not even with his magnificent tube rides.

Herimoana was the man of the day at Taapuna Reef and was crowned the champion of the 15^th edition of the Taapuna Master.

Also noted was the beautiful performance by young Mataiea Hikily who at 15 years of age managed to make it to the quarter-finals.

The next competition for the Tahitian surfers, will be the Billabong Pro Junior at the end of October.