10 Rules Olympic Surfers Must Follow in Tahiti (No, They’re Not All Living on a Boat)

The 2024 Olympic venue for surfing is Teahupoʻo, the infamous break off the coast of Tahiti, which is 9,000-plus miles away from Paris

The 2024 Summer Olympic surfers are not competing in Paris, but rather 9,000-plus miles away.

After it was first introduced at the 2020 Tokyo Games, the highly-anticipated water sport is making its return to the Olympics, but this year, surfers are going head-to-head at a venue infamously deemed "the heaviest wave in the world."

Surfers will compete at Teahupo’o, a world-renowned surf break known for its big barreling waves and breathing-taking surroundings just off the coast of its small and quiet fishing village on the French Polynesian island of Tahiti.

The wave is machine-like, pumping out picture-perfect barrels that are dream-like for any surfer. However, it's equally consequential due to the shallow reef beneath it.

Team USA surfer Griffin Colapinto — who's currently ranked No. 2 in the world on the WSL Tour — describes it as "one of the most dangerous, rewarding waves in the world." He previously told PEOPLE: "You could either die out there or you could have the best ride of your life."

Related: The Most Surprising Rules You Didn't Know Athletes Must Follow in the Olympic Village

Caroline Marks, reigning world champion surfer who's also repping Team USA, told PEOPLE Teahupo’o is "one of the most beautiful, incredible waves" but also notes "it's also one of the most intense and scariest waves in the world," too.

Since the surf venue is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, you may be wondering what the Olympic Village equivalent is for the surfers competing in this year's Olympics. While they aren't residing with the rest of the athletes in Paris, many will be staying on a Tahitian cruise ship out at sea!

Though similar to the Olympic Village in Paris, there are various rules the surfers must follow during their stay. Julie Dussliere, Senior VP, Chief of Paralympics & Internally Managed Sports, gave PEOPLE the exclusive breakdown of the dos and don'ts the athletes must follow.

Read on for rules surfers must follow at the Olympic Village in Tahiti!

Surfers don't have to stay on the Olympic Village cruise ship

The 2024 Summer Games introduces the "first-ever floating Olympic village," a residence area for the surfers going head-to-head at Teahupo’o in Tahiti. The cruise ship will serve as a housing option for the 48 surfers, providing private quarters with beds (that aren't infamously cardboard!).

Dussliere tells PEOPLE, though, that not all athletes are required to stay on the buoyant vessel! "Athletes are free to stay wherever they choose," she says. Team USA, for example, is not staying on the boat.

"Many nations and athletes have elected to rent homes in the Teahupo’o area in lieu of staying on the cruise ship," she explains. "Team USA’s property is located within the town of Teahupo’o near the 'End of the Road' and the Point."

If Team USA wants to check out the floating Olympic Village, they are more than welcome! "Athletes have access to the Paris 2024 village on the cruise ship if they wish to go there," Dussliere adds.

Related: Griffin Colapinto Says ‘You Can Either Die’ or Have ‘Best Ride of Your Life’ at Olympic Surf Venue (Exclusive)

Surfers don't have to sleep on cardboard beds at the Tahiti Olympic Village

In comparison to athletes residing in the Paris Olympic Village, surfers don't have to sleep on cardboard beds. Both the cruise ship and the local Tahitian accommodations have regular beds with regular mattresses.

"All houses are typical of homes in French Polynesia with a heavy emphasis on outdoor living and functional outdoor spaces," Dussliere says. "The Team USA housing in Teahupo’o is within a private home and all furniture is provided within the home. The beds are not cardboard."

Surfer Caroline Marks gave her followers a glimpse of her Tahitian residency on Instagram, showcasing the nature and beautiful geographical surroundings of the French Polynesian island. "Surfers don't have the Olympic Village, but we have this..." she wrote in the caption.

Dussliere says that each of the homes is "unique," explaining that they "vary by size as would be typical in any town or neighborhood." She noted, however, that "some homes do have air conditioning, while others do not."

Access to the Tahiti Olympic Village is decided on by the nation

Like the majority of the Olympic Village rules, they are created and decided upon by each country's delegation. This is the same for who is allowed access on the grounds.

"Each nation may have their own parameters regarding access," Dussliere says. "Team USA’s property is being viewed as a 'village' for the Team USA surfing delegation which includes team management, coaches, medical staff and athletes."

She adds, "All of the same rules that apply to Team USA in the village in Paris also apply to Team USA in Teahupo’o."

Surfers don't have to live with a roommate at the Tahiti Olympic Village

Athletes in the Paris Olympic Village are assigned roommates, typically someone who is on the same team and plays the same sport. For Team USA surfers, Dussliere says each athlete "has their own bedroom" in their Tahiti housing.

Roommate rules, though, are "up to each respective nation and their housing situation... Whether private home or on the cruise ship," she adds.

Related: Surfer Caroline Marks Says She’s ‘Definitely Going to Bring’ a Helmet to Olympics, Explains ‘Big Risk’ (Exclusive)

Surfers can live with athletes from other countries at the Tahiti Olympic Village

If surfers want to room with surfers from another country, Dussliere says they can "if they wish to do so." This rule is different from athletes in Paris, who can't share an apartment with another country.

Although there's flexibility for the surfers competing in Tahiti, she says "most countries participating in surfing have rented their own homes and are not sharing with other countries."

Surfers don't have to abide by quiet hours at the Tahiti Olympic Village

In comparison to the Paris Olympic Village, which requires athletes to abide by quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. local time, surfers competing in Tahiti do not have to follow that rule.

"Team USA housing is located within the village of Teahupo’o and normal activity of local residents is still occurring in conjunction with the Olympic Games competition," Dussliere says of why quiet hours aren't enforced in the Tahiti Village equivalent.

Surfers aren't allowed to bring pets to the Tahiti Olympic Village

Both in Paris and Tahiti, pets are not allowed. "Team USA delegation members do not bring pets to the Games," Dussliere makes clear.

Related: Meet Caity Simmers, Teen Surf Phenom Who ‘Wasn’t Set on Being Pro’ but Qualified for the Olympics (Exclusive)

Surfers don't have to cook for themselves at the Tahiti Olympic Village

Surfers competing in the Olympics only have to focus on one thing: competition. To ensure they're fueled and energized to perform their best, Team USA's committee has them covered.

Dussliere says "meals and snacks" are included in Team USA's "self-contained" Olympic Village in Teahupo’o. "The team has a chef preparing meals daily for our Team USA delegation," she says.

Team USA's Griffin Colapinto gave his followers a glimpse of the Village days before the Olympics started. He posted an Instagram carousel that featured a few of his meals, including a plate of rice with greens in one image and a fresh smoothie in another video.

Surfers are allowed access to services at the Tahiti Olympic Village

Team USA surfers have access to all of the 2024 Summer Olympics services in the Base Camp located on the Point in Teahupo’o. This, of course, includes a gym.

"Team USA also has a basic workout area set up within the Team USA property with equipment such as bands, weights, kettlebells, yoga mats and more," Dussliere says.

Related: Carissa Moore Announces She's 'Stepping Back' from Competitive Surfing After 2024 Paris Olympics

The Tahiti Olympic Village is not open to the public

Despite being thousands of miles away from the main Paris grounds, the Olympic Committee still ensures the best security measures are in place for the athletes competing.

"Paris 2024 provides security to the venue and the Team USA property is located within the Paris 2024 security perimeter," Dussliere says.

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