The new judges’ tower has been completed ahead of schedule, away from the controversy it sparked last fall. Situated in front of the Teahupoo reef in Tahiti, the tower will host the surfing events of the 2024 Paris Olympics, 15,000 km away from the rest of the competitions in mainland France.
Constructed on its first two levels on March 17, according to local channel Polynésie la 1ère, the main structure of the tower is now finished, as shown in photos by Australian photographer Tim McKenna, a regular at the location.
Teams and judges from Paris 2024 will be accommodated on three levels in this aluminum building, positioned about thirty meters from the wave where French surfers such as Johanne Defay, Vahine Fierro, Joan Duru, and Kauli Vaast will be competing. The previous wooden structure used during the World Surf League event at Teahupoo was not up to standard for this level of competition.
Local authorities express their satisfaction with the completed work, which was delivered slightly ahead of schedule while taking into account environmental concerns. In early December, technical tests caused damage to coral when a barge intended for the aluminum tower’s installation broke. The Polynesian government then had to halt the project.
Despite significant opposition from local environmental groups, work resumed in early March after weeks of controversy. Oversight by experienced teams, public information services, and engagement with environmental issues helped calm tensions.
While there were concerns about coral damage during construction, with 14 reported impacts, some individuals believed this was minimal and that nature would ultimately thrive.
The judges’ tower will undergo further work, including linking it to the shore with a cable, interior fittings, cooling systems for servers, furniture installation, and inspections by regulatory bodies.
The judges’ tower will be tested two months before the Olympic events, as Teahupoo will host the Tahiti Pro, a World Surf League competition, from May 22-31. The organizers are expected to take possession of the tower a few days before the event, as planned.
