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The women’s surfing competition at the Olympics in Tahiti was briefly interrupted by a surprise visitor this week. A massive humpback whale made an appearance during the contest, breaching with athletes in the water.
Shooting out of the ocean like a rocket, the whale made a big splash!
The sighting may not have occurred had surfers competed with the rest of the Summer Olympians in Paris. Due to conditions off the France coast, the event was moved to Tahiti.
Swells in France aren’t up to standard during the summer months, resulting in the Games outsourcing competition to the largest island in French Polynesia.
That’s been a major win for athletes as they avoid the tiny cardboard beds and air-condition-less housing in the Olympic Village. Instead, many are enjoying their time on the first-ever floating Athletes’ Village aboard a cruise ship.
Those not staying on the ship are living lavishly in private rentals, where the food appears to be a clear step above what’s been seen back in the Olympic Village dining hall.
Tahiti, which has provided an incredible setting to everyone other than NBC host Colin Jost, is not only a prime surfing location, but it’s also home to humpback whales during their migration from July to November.
This week, Olympic surfers got a chance to see the mammals up close and personal.
@nbcsports The Olympic surfing semi finalists had a WHALE stop by during their heat. #ParisOlympics ♬ original sound – NBC Sports
A humpback launched itself from the water with surfers nearby on Monday as the women’s event wrapped up.
Viewers immediately reacted on social media.
“The whale gets the gold medal!”
While the humpback whale certainly caused the biggest waves, it was American Carolina Marks who took home the top honors in Monday’s final.
She bested Tatiana Weston-Webb of Brazil (silver) and Johane Defay of France (bronze) to bring home another gold for Team USA.