Tokyo to Teahupoʻo: Dark Arts in Competition
From surfing's debut in 2020 to this year's historic competition at the "End of the Road," Dark Arts is grateful to have supported top-tier athletes from the beginning with the finest carbon surfboards on the market. Since Tokyo, much has changed: John Florence has no recent ACL injuries, and a storm is promising swell with albeit variable winds. What hasn't changed is our commitment to the competitors and our connection to the surfing communities that unite our sport.
Thinking back four years ago, carbon guru and Dark Arts founder Justin Ternes reflects, "There was so much excitement surrounding the first competition in 2020; I didn't realize then how it was such a big deal, but it was extremely significant, and to have multiple athletes riding Dark Arts was pretty surreal. Looking back for me, I wish I enjoyed it more,"
Our only custom-made board went to John Florence. He took a deeply involved approach, testing over 20 models in Newport, CA. Justin recalls glassing all of his boards within two weeks; the days were both hectic and gratifying. On the day of the competition, John selected a custom Pyzel shape with a 30-degree carbon layup, then tore through the first two rounds before getting caught behind in the third.
With attention on Teahupoʻo, we're stoked to see the athletes we've collaborated with and cheered for returning to the global stage at one of the most challenging waves in the South Pacific. It will assuredly deliver unforgettable heats, broken hearts, and likely new champions.
Nathan Florence, world-traveling slab hunter and veteran swell-tracker, notes that the forecast looks promising for the 10-day window. In a recent video, he said that if the waves are good, "…we get to see the best in the world go at it and ride some of the heaviest barrels in the world and compete for a gold medal, which would just be awesome."
Globally encompassing events bring increased national representation and exposure. They also provide a platform for underdogs to quickly reach the top and connect our surfing communities. We're eagerly anticipating the inevitable upsets that await us.
Action Photography: Ryan Miller