French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France and its sole overseas country. It comprises 121 geographically dispersed islands and atolls stretching over more than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) in the South Pacific Ocean. The total land area of French Polynesia is 3,521 square kilometres (1,359 sq mi), with a population of 278,786.
Tahiti is the largest island of the Windward group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. It is located in the central part of the Pacific Ocean and the nearest major landmass is Australia. Divided into two parts, Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti, the island was formed from volcanic activity; it is high and mountainous with surrounding coral reefs. Its population was 189,517 in 2017, making it by far the most populous island in French Polynesia and accounting for 68.7% of its total population; the 2022 Census resulted in a population of 191,779.
Robert Kelly Slater is an American professional surfer, best known for being crowned World Surf League champion a record 11 times. Slater is widely regarded as the greatest professional surfer of all time, and holds 56 Championship Tour victories. Slater is also the oldest surfer still active on the World Surf League, winning his 8th Billabong Pipeline Masters title at age 49.
Big wave surfing is a discipline within surfing in which experienced surfers paddle into, or are towed into, waves which are at least 20 feet high, on surf boards known as "guns" or towboards. Sizes of the board needed to successfully surf these waves vary by the size of the wave as well as the technique the surfer uses to reach the wave. A larger, longer board allows a rider to paddle fast enough to catch the wave and has the advantage of being more stable, but it also limits maneuverability and surfing speed.
Marama Vahirua is a Tahitian former professional footballer who played as a striker. He spent most of his career in France before finishing his professional career in Greece with Panthrakikos F.C. In July 2018, he became president of Tahitian club A.S. Dragon. Between 2013 and 2014, he was the technical director of the Tahitian Football Federation.
The Order of Tahiti Nui was established on 5 June 1996 by the Assembly of French Polynesia to reward distinguished merit and achievements in the service to French Polynesia.
Teahupoʻo is a village on the southwestern coast of the island of Tahiti, French Polynesia, in the southern Pacific Ocean.
Jérémy Florès is a French surfer who grew up on Reunion Island, France, where he began surfing at the age of 3. He continued his surfing development on family trips to Australia, Europe and Hawaii, all the while maintaining his education through correspondence courses. He turned professional in 2007, the same year in which he was awarded 'Rookie of the Year' by the WSL, and has won the prestigious Billabong Pipeline Masters in Hawaii both in 2010 and 2017. In 2015, Jeremy also beat reigning champion Gabriel Medina in the prestigious Billabong Pro Teahupoo, Tahiti with a 16.57 total heat score.
Norbert Hauata is a football referee from French Polynesia.
Naea Tommy Irving Bennett is a French Polynesian footballer, politician, and former Cabinet Minister. He plays as a striker for AS Pirae and also represents the Tahiti national beach soccer team. He is son of Erroll Bennett, a former Tahitian footballer who was runner-up at 1973 and 1980 OFC Nations Cup.
Gabriel Medina Pinto Ferreira is a Brazilian professional surfer who won the 2014, 2018 and 2021 WSL World Championships. With 18 WSL Championship Tour (CT) event wins and 31 Final appearances under his belt, Medina is one of the most experienced surfers when it comes to producing the best surfing under pressure. Medina is 2nd only to Kelly Slater for the most World Titles among surfers currently on the men's CT.
Moetai Charles Brotherson is a French Polynesian politician who has served as President of French Polynesia since 12 May 2023.
Justine Dupont is a French professional surfer.
Vaimalama Chaves is a French singer, beauty pageant titleholder, and model who was crowned Miss France 2019. Chaves had previously won Miss Tahiti 2018 and became the fourth representative from French Polynesia to win the Miss France title.
Heimanu Philippe Taiarui is a beach soccer and association football player from French Polynesia who plays as a defender. He has appeared at six editions of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup representing the Tahitian national team, finishing as a runner-up twice ; at the former, he won the Golden Ball award.
Angelo Schirinzi is a beach soccer player and coach. He is Coach of Switzerland national beach soccer team, and the former Tahiti national beach soccer team Coach 2012-2015. He is the main developer of beach soccer in Switzerland.
Taruia Franz Krainer is a French Polynesian road cyclist. He is currently the sports director of team UC Cholet 49.
Tommy Tihoni is a French Polynesian model and dancer. He won the Ori Tahiti Nui world championship in 2016.
Léonard Colombel Puputauki, also known as Rere Puputauki, is the former head of French Polynesia's Presidential Intervention Group (GIP). Since being removed from office he has been convicted of manslaughter, abuse of public funds, and ignoring labour laws over actions taken while managing the GIP. Charges of kidnapping relating to the disappearance and murder of journalist Jean-Pascal Couraud are still pending.
John Tapu Mairai is a French Polynesian poet, actor, orator, playwright, teacher, journalist, and broadcaster. He is a pioneer of Reo Tahiti theater and a member of the Tahitian Academy.
