In Te Aupoo, Tahiti, coastal village life thrives amid the powerful waves.

TIUPOO, French Polynesia (AP) — In Tiupoo, the sea is at the heart of village life.

At sunrise, boats rock in the lagoons of southern Tahiti before fishermen begin their day. Many people set out early with rods and spears to catch the fish gliding among the coral. This is fresh food for ourselves, our families, and our communities.

In the afternoon, freshly caught fat tuna arrive on land. The coast is also more vibrant now. Children surf and play in the turquoise waters, families rest on the beach where the sea and river meet, and only one snack bar is open to serve fish lunches.

But it’s Teahupo’o’s amazing waves that grab most people’s attention. An impressively high wall of water forms when the ocean crosses a large and very shallow coral reef, smashing into a perfect cylinder for surfers to glide over.

Te Aupoo may attract surfers from all over the world for its powerful waves, but there are many other locations around the world that are hotspots for surfers and other athletes seeking natural, perfect conditions. Unlike the destination, local village life remains largely untouched.

Only one road leads to Te Aupoo’s beach, and the black sand coast is surrounded by lush volcanic mountains. Tuna is being sold on the roadside, and people are playing music nearby. Locals sit in the shallows and have a drink after work with friends. Surfers pass by with their boards under their arms, still glistening from the water.

Despite hundreds of people flocking to the town that will host the 2024 Olympic surfing competition, threatening the livelihoods of around 1,500 locals, many locals in Tahiti cherish and want to protect it. This is what life is like.

For the locals of Te Aupo, their waves, their fame and their way of life have always coexisted. Their hope is that it will continue long after the crowds gather and the hustle and bustle of the Olympics fades.

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