Canada's top surfers test out Tahiti waters ahead of Pan Am Games, Paris Olympics

Canada's top surfers are riding the waves in Tahiti this week, testing the waters at Teahupo'o that will host next year's Olympic surfing event.

Dom Domic, executive director of Surf Canada, says it doesn't get much better than Teahupo'o (pronounced Chop-pu) which he calls "probably one of the planet's top three waves."

"It's a real challenge," Domic said. "And it will be an absolute visual spectacle for the Olympics. A stunning backdrop, obviously it's Tahiti. Tropical. Big green mountains. Blue, blue water and absolutely crazy dangerous [competition], over live coral, probably a kilometre off the beach."

The Canadian contingent in Tahiti includes sisters Sanoa and Mathea Olin, brothers Cody and Levi Young, Reed Platenius and Wheeler Hasburgh plus coach Shannon Brown. They arrived Tuesday, taking to the water Wednesday.

Erin Brooks is not at the weeklong camp. Domic said the highly touted teenager is currently in California taking care of sponsor obligations around the World Surf League finals.

The Texan-born Brooks, who has family connections in Quebec, has been competing under the Canadian banner as she continues to pursue Canadian citizenship.

That has become problematic of late. The International Surf Association ruled after the El Salvador event she could keep the medal despite the unresolved citizenship, noting she "did not gain any undue advantage in any given competition." But it also decided that any points Brooks earned for the Canada team should be cancelled.

Surfing (shortboard) made its debut at the Tokyo Olympics, without a Canadian in the field.

Cody Young did get a last-minute call-up to the Tokyo games due to a COVID-related opening. But the Hawaii-based athlete wasn't able to get there in time due to