Photojournalism: Miss Teahupo'o

These stills are from a project shot in French Polynesia during the 2024 Olympics. The surfing event was held in Tahiti, some 10,000 miles away from Paris, at Teahupo'o, known to surfers as one of the world's most formidable waves. Framed by the lush emerald mountains of Tahiti, Teahupo'o is a stunningly beautiful barreling wave that breaks over a shallow, razor-sharp reef. Lacerations, blackouts, and near-drownings are common here; a few have even lost their lives. Due to these dangers, from 2006 to 2022, the Association of Surfing Professionals banned women from competing at Teahupo'o, deeming it "too dangerous for them." 

This story is about Kelia Gallina, a 12-year-old Tahitian surfer born and raised in Teahupo'o. At just 4 years old, Kelia's dad began taking her out to surf Teahupo'o on calm days. Fast forward to 2024, and Kelia is not only one of the few women but also one of the youngest surfers in the lineup at Teahupo'o. In the shadow of the Olympics, I set out to document Kelia's inspiring story and understand what goes on in the mind of a child who has broken barriers, is on track for greatness (and a potential Olympic debut), but is still, at the end of the day, just a kid. We spent two weeks with Kelia, documenting her surfing and trying to unpack what it meant to have the Olympics on her doorstep, watching her heroes compete at a place where, until recently, they were not allowed to. What we uncovered was a captivating story that is as much about talent and ambition as it is a heartfelt look at what it really means to be a kid, free from the weight of adulthood. 

ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD SEEHAUSEN 

Richard is a cinematographer and photographer based in Bellingham, Washington. Originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, he discovered filmmaking by shooting downhill skateboarding videos in high school. After studying Mechanical Engineering in college, he moved to Bend, Oregon, to pursue his passion for snowboarding and the outdoors. Though he initially worked as an engineer, Richard’s passion for film never waned. In 2020, while shooting his first film project, he realized filmmaking was his true calling. Today, he focuses on outdoor subjects—particularly in snow, surf, skate, and bike communities—while telling stories about remarkable people who inspire, humble, and unite. 

Instagram: @dicksflicks 

Portfolio: www.richardseehausen.xyz