June 26, 2024 • 7 mins
Surfer Billy Stairmand is going to the Paris Olympics - but he doesn't actually get to go to Paris.
For fairly obvious reasons when you think about it, the City of Lights has delegated the surfing events to Tahiti.
Billy spoke to D'Arcy Waldegrave on Sportstalk about the Games and about the soon-to-be-built surf park in Auckland he's involved with.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Would join on sports Talk Now by Billy Stamm and
second time surfing Olympian for New Zealand. Billy, Welcome to
the program. Gee, second time round, you'd be a veteran broch.
They have all under control.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Yeah, it's pretty exciting and it's pretty surreal being two
times Olympian now obviously heading into Paris. It's a little
bit different to the first games we did in Tokyo,
the COVID Games as they call it.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
So nah, it's it's very exciting and yeah, good times ahead.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
You're not really going to Paris though, are you, Billy.
It's thousands of miles away from Paris.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Yeah, so obviously it's the Paris Olympic Games, but the
surfing is actually in Tahiti at a wave called Chopu,
which is, you know, on the other side of the
world from Paris.
Speaker 4 (00:54):
So yeah, it's going to be interesting.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Chupoho one of the craziest waves in the world. Only
discovered what mid eighties, I think it was. What makes
this wave so special?
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Billy, Yeah, it's it's I believe it's one of the
most scary waves on the planet. A lot of top
surfers go there and they get the best waves of
their lives. It's a very it's like it's a bit
of a spectrum over there, you know. It's it comes
from the wave itself comes from a lot of deep water.
There's a really deep trench out the back of Chopo there,
and you know, the swals come from far away and
(01:24):
build momentum and power and energy and then they come
on to break on this really shallow, sharp, intense reef.
So there's a lot of water involved in the wave,
and you know, the wave itself is actually quite short.
You know, it's a short and tense, big scary wave.
And you know there's a lot going on out there
in the lineup. You've got the boats in the channel,
you've got the dry reef, you've got the you know,
the big scary waves, and then you've also got to
(01:47):
you know, compete against the best in the world while
the whole world's watching.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
So there's a lot going on out there at Chiopu.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
But I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead, and it's
something I've never really done before. So yeah, I've been
working hard towards that goal of obviously meddling at the
Olympic Games, but just being there a part of history,
I guess.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
First team to experience. Billy, what have you got on
that monster wave?
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Yeah, I've spent a bit of time, you know, since
I qualified. I actually did a i say training camp
there last year for the first time, so we you know,
there was a few athletes from the World Surfing Games
that got to go along to this camp that they
put on for us, and we had a coach there
from Tahiti. His name was Today Vera, and you know,
we got to learn a lot about the break and
(02:28):
positioning and the waves and boards and things like that.
So ever since then, and ever since I qualified last year,
I've made a conscious effort to get to Tahiti and
spend time in the lineup and become a bit more
normal with my surroundings and a bit more comfortable with
the wave itself, and just you know, being over there
a part of that intense scenario.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
I guess.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
So yeah, I actually just got back last week from
a training trip over there.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Got all sorts of conditions which was awesome.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
You know.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
I got to learn a lot more and spend some
time and those surroundings, and yeah, I'm becoming more and
more comfortable every trip, and I think, come Games time,
are we you know, hopefully we'll get some good waves
and I'll be able to charge and put my best
foot forward and give it my best What is your
best foot? My best foot forward is my left one.
I'm a natural footer. But no, the goal for me
(03:19):
is obviously to meddle. And I think at a wave
like Chopo, anything can happen out there. You know, a
wave could pop up for me, the best wave could
pop up for me, and I could get the best
barrel in that heat and beat the best guys in
the world, you know. So there's a lot of opportunity
out there at Chopu, and I think it's more likely
or you know, there's more of an opportunity than most
(03:39):
beach breaks and other waves around the world to actually
get a bit of momentum in the competition and beat
those guys. So yeah, I'm really looking forward to it.
You know, I'm confident, I'm comfortable, I'm fitting healthy, and
I'm ready to go for the Olympics.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
It's a left hand break, Billy, so more advantageous to
the goofy riders sort of that not and not affect
you so much.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Well, growing up in Raglan, I'm actually basically born and
bred on a left hand brake. Obviously a little bit different.
It's a long left hand point break, but I go
every single day ever since I started surfing, so for me,
going left is probably preferable. So yeah, it's a little
bit different with the conditions and the surf, but you
know it could be not big and pumping, it could
(04:19):
be small and like Raglan. So you've got to prepare
as much as you can for all conditions. And you
know it's always changing and it can change so quickly
over there, especially in like five ten minutes. It could
be bigg and onshore or it could be small and offshore.
So yeah, I believe I can meddle. And you know,
I've put in some time over there and a lot
of time in the gym and getting fit and healthy
mentally as well.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
And yeah, I'm really excited. I can't wait.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
We leave in three weeks and we've got a week
of training days and you know, exploring over there and
getting ready for the for the competition.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
It's not really the wave that's scary though, is it all?
Possibly it's the ref underneath it. Get dump it's cheese
greater action, Billy.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Yes, it is very dangerous. The reef itself is real sharp,
like it's live coral. A lot of the you know,
or not a lot, but heaps of the breaks around
the world, they not as sharp as the one in Tahiti.
It's very healthy and clean, and you know, there's coral
heads all over that reef. So yeah, the wave itself
is definitely intimidating, but what's below and what could happen,
(05:16):
you know, if you don't make the drop or you
don't make the barrel is quite scary in itself, and
again you've got to prepare the best you can. And
I've hit the reef over there before, and I just
did a trip over there, you know, last weekend, and
it was three foot pretty small, and I got a
little wave and didn't make the barrel and I hit
the reef. I got pinned down, almost got a two
wave hold down, and it.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Was quite scary.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
But you come up and you know you're okay, and
there's going to be a lot of water safety and
you know a lot of we're going to have a
doctor there and people that can look after us and
make us feel more comfortable over there.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
So yeah, there's a lot going on.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
But at the same time, yeah, I'm super excited and
can't wait to put that rash it on and represent New.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
Zealand and the biggest stage sporting stage, no.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
My popcorn and they're ready to watch that, no doubt.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Hey.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Moving on to other huge news and surfing. A massive
surf park is being introduced. It's got resource consent up
in de Reflat. This is going to be huge not
only for the surfers but for the local tourist industry
and everything else here.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
Yeah, it's very exciting.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
I spent the last couple of days with the boys
at Aventur and a couple of good surf friends who
are involved in the in the wave park up there,
and they've got some good news about getting some consent
and the and the go ahead to start the procedure
of building a pool in north of Auckland there. So yeah,
I think it's it's massive for not only the development
of surfing and the next generation of competitive surfers, but
(06:36):
all round surfing. You know you're going to have the
dads or the mums that are keen to start surfing,
or you know, the older generation who haven't really given
it a proper crack. They'll have that safe environment and
that repetition and those waves that come every day and
to practice, you know, and learn and become a better
surfer and a matter of probably an hour.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
So it's very exciting.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
And you know, I'm getting older and the surf surf
competition side of things, so it's very exciting for me
and it could be a good pathway for me to
get into some coaching side of things and become a
part of the development of high performance you know, surfing
in New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
And yeah, I think it's going to open up a
lot of.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Opportunities for a lot of people, jobs and the community
up there, not only for New Zealand as well, but
Auckland and international. Like you say so, Yeah, it's an
exciting road ahead.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the sports Talk podcast with Dancy Wildergrave
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Would join on sports Talk Now by Billy Stamm and
second time surfing Olympian for New Zealand. Billy, Welcome to
the program. Gee, second time round, you'd be a veteran broch.
They have all under control.
Speaker 3 (00:25):
Yeah, it's pretty exciting and it's pretty surreal being two
times Olympian now obviously heading into Paris. It's a little
bit different to the first games we did in Tokyo,
the COVID Games as they call it.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
So nah, it's it's very exciting and yeah, good times ahead.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
You're not really going to Paris though, are you, Billy.
It's thousands of miles away from Paris.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Yeah, so obviously it's the Paris Olympic Games, but the
surfing is actually in Tahiti at a wave called Chopu,
which is, you know, on the other side of the
world from Paris.
Speaker 4 (00:54):
So yeah, it's going to be interesting.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Chupoho one of the craziest waves in the world. Only
discovered what mid eighties, I think it was. What makes
this wave so special?
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Billy, Yeah, it's it's I believe it's one of the
most scary waves on the planet. A lot of top
surfers go there and they get the best waves of
their lives. It's a very it's like it's a bit
of a spectrum over there, you know. It's it comes
from the wave itself comes from a lot of deep water.
There's a really deep trench out the back of Chopo there,
and you know, the swals come from far away and
(01:24):
build momentum and power and energy and then they come
on to break on this really shallow, sharp, intense reef.
So there's a lot of water involved in the wave,
and you know, the wave itself is actually quite short.
You know, it's a short and tense, big scary wave.
And you know there's a lot going on out there
in the lineup. You've got the boats in the channel,
you've got the dry reef, you've got the you know,
the big scary waves, and then you've also got to
(01:47):
you know, compete against the best in the world while
the whole world's watching.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
So there's a lot going on out there at Chiopu.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
But I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead, and it's
something I've never really done before. So yeah, I've been
working hard towards that goal of obviously meddling at the
Olympic Games, but just being there a part of history,
I guess.
Speaker 2 (02:03):
First team to experience. Billy, what have you got on
that monster wave?
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Yeah, I've spent a bit of time, you know, since
I qualified. I actually did a i say training camp
there last year for the first time, so we you know,
there was a few athletes from the World Surfing Games
that got to go along to this camp that they
put on for us, and we had a coach there
from Tahiti. His name was Today Vera, and you know,
we got to learn a lot about the break and
(02:28):
positioning and the waves and boards and things like that.
So ever since then, and ever since I qualified last year,
I've made a conscious effort to get to Tahiti and
spend time in the lineup and become a bit more
normal with my surroundings and a bit more comfortable with
the wave itself, and just you know, being over there
a part of that intense scenario.
Speaker 4 (02:50):
I guess.
Speaker 3 (02:51):
So yeah, I actually just got back last week from
a training trip over there.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Got all sorts of conditions which was awesome.
Speaker 2 (02:57):
You know.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
I got to learn a lot more and spend some
time and those surroundings, and yeah, I'm becoming more and
more comfortable every trip, and I think, come Games time,
are we you know, hopefully we'll get some good waves
and I'll be able to charge and put my best
foot forward and give it my best What is your
best foot? My best foot forward is my left one.
I'm a natural footer. But no, the goal for me
(03:19):
is obviously to meddle. And I think at a wave
like Chopo, anything can happen out there. You know, a
wave could pop up for me, the best wave could
pop up for me, and I could get the best
barrel in that heat and beat the best guys in
the world, you know. So there's a lot of opportunity
out there at Chopu, and I think it's more likely
or you know, there's more of an opportunity than most
(03:39):
beach breaks and other waves around the world to actually
get a bit of momentum in the competition and beat
those guys. So yeah, I'm really looking forward to it.
You know, I'm confident, I'm comfortable, I'm fitting healthy, and
I'm ready to go for the Olympics.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
It's a left hand break, Billy, so more advantageous to
the goofy riders sort of that not and not affect
you so much.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Well, growing up in Raglan, I'm actually basically born and
bred on a left hand brake. Obviously a little bit different.
It's a long left hand point break, but I go
every single day ever since I started surfing, so for me,
going left is probably preferable. So yeah, it's a little
bit different with the conditions and the surf, but you
know it could be not big and pumping, it could
(04:19):
be small and like Raglan. So you've got to prepare
as much as you can for all conditions. And you
know it's always changing and it can change so quickly
over there, especially in like five ten minutes. It could
be bigg and onshore or it could be small and offshore.
So yeah, I believe I can meddle. And you know,
I've put in some time over there and a lot
of time in the gym and getting fit and healthy
mentally as well.
Speaker 4 (04:39):
And yeah, I'm really excited. I can't wait.
Speaker 3 (04:41):
We leave in three weeks and we've got a week
of training days and you know, exploring over there and
getting ready for the for the competition.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
It's not really the wave that's scary though, is it all?
Possibly it's the ref underneath it. Get dump it's cheese
greater action, Billy.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
Yes, it is very dangerous. The reef itself is real sharp,
like it's live coral. A lot of the you know,
or not a lot, but heaps of the breaks around
the world, they not as sharp as the one in Tahiti.
It's very healthy and clean, and you know, there's coral
heads all over that reef. So yeah, the wave itself
is definitely intimidating, but what's below and what could happen,
(05:16):
you know, if you don't make the drop or you
don't make the barrel is quite scary in itself, and
again you've got to prepare the best you can. And
I've hit the reef over there before, and I just
did a trip over there, you know, last weekend, and
it was three foot pretty small, and I got a
little wave and didn't make the barrel and I hit
the reef. I got pinned down, almost got a two
wave hold down, and it.
Speaker 4 (05:36):
Was quite scary.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
But you come up and you know you're okay, and
there's going to be a lot of water safety and
you know a lot of we're going to have a
doctor there and people that can look after us and
make us feel more comfortable over there.
Speaker 4 (05:46):
So yeah, there's a lot going on.
Speaker 3 (05:48):
But at the same time, yeah, I'm super excited and
can't wait to put that rash it on and represent New.
Speaker 4 (05:54):
Zealand and the biggest stage sporting stage, no.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
My popcorn and they're ready to watch that, no doubt.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Hey.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Moving on to other huge news and surfing. A massive
surf park is being introduced. It's got resource consent up
in de Reflat. This is going to be huge not
only for the surfers but for the local tourist industry
and everything else here.
Speaker 4 (06:12):
Yeah, it's very exciting.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
I spent the last couple of days with the boys
at Aventur and a couple of good surf friends who
are involved in the in the wave park up there,
and they've got some good news about getting some consent
and the and the go ahead to start the procedure
of building a pool in north of Auckland there. So yeah,
I think it's it's massive for not only the development
of surfing and the next generation of competitive surfers, but
(06:36):
all round surfing. You know you're going to have the
dads or the mums that are keen to start surfing,
or you know, the older generation who haven't really given
it a proper crack. They'll have that safe environment and
that repetition and those waves that come every day and
to practice, you know, and learn and become a better
surfer and a matter of probably an hour.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
So it's very exciting.
Speaker 3 (06:56):
And you know, I'm getting older and the surf surf
competition side of things, so it's very exciting for me
and it could be a good pathway for me to
get into some coaching side of things and become a
part of the development of high performance you know, surfing
in New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
And yeah, I think it's going to open up a
lot of.
Speaker 3 (07:15):
Opportunities for a lot of people, jobs and the community
up there, not only for New Zealand as well, but
Auckland and international. Like you say so, Yeah, it's an
exciting road ahead.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
it'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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