The last time I went down to Tahiti, I traveled with Mark Balasbas and Daniel Russo for the infamous 9/11 swell of 2005. This recent trip was far different, traveling with my girlfriend and having no idea if there would be any swell or not.

The first week did in fact consist of no swell, which led to my exploring Tahitian culture much more than the last times I had visited the islands. Hiking, snorkeling, eating a variety of Tahitian dishes, basking in the sun, and shell picking comprised my first week which truly enhanced my appreciation of French Polynesia.

The second week was vastly different. As Pat Caldwell explained in his Pacific surf forecast, the ending part of June was the most active pattern for waves in thirty years. Back-to-back swells poured into Tahiti’s reef breaks, and I, along with various locals (Hugo, Mana, John, Alvino, Patrick Tehurei, David, Kenny, and many more) as well as international bodyboarders (Amaury Lavernhe & Manu from Reunion Island, & Paulo Barcelos) met these swells head on. A Good friend Eric Schnitzler (creator of The Drift bodyboarding video) captured it all on film. Ramps and barrels filled our days for a week straight, seeing no waves under 5 ft. Hawaiian.

Paul Benco reverse air

Benco hanging with the locals…

Amaury Lavernhe sick air forward

Paul & Eric creator

of “The Drift” video
After these 2 weeks in Tahiti, it was time for my girlfriend and I to move on to another island chain, Vanamotu, found miles away. Solid 4-6 ft., five days in a row, greeted us and Eric. Various locals (Kevin, Key, Victor, and others) and members of the Boogie Nation Crew (Timmy, Travis, Dphil, Pyper) met us there too for some incredible sessions. The island we visited can be driven around by moped in only 40 minutes, which led to us reaching waves easily while being led by wind/swell direction.

Dphil with da hawaiian special

Benco back in a lit tube

Timmy Ham inverted

Local David on the next level

Local transportation…saves on gas!

Beautiful people, waves, reefs and cultures greeted my girlfriend and I throughout our 3 week trip. I hope you readers out there have or will also create traveling experiences that’ll stick with you for the rest of your lives. Mauruuruu to the bodyboarders of Tahiti and Raro for sharing their waves and aloha with some Hawaiians.

-check out “The Drift” video gallery for all the frames from the upcoming 2nd installment of “The Drift”-