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From Tahiti to Thurso: BBC documentary looks at history of surfing as Paris Olympics begin





Justine Dupont surfing in Tahiti. Picture: Yami 2 / Manea Fabisch
Justine Dupont surfing in Tahiti. Picture: Yami 2 / Manea Fabisch

Thurso’s reputation as a leading watersports destination will feature in a TV documentary about the history of surfing to coincide with the Olympic Games.

The BBC ALBA two-parter, Surfing: Marcachd an Tuinn / Riding the Wave, is being presented by keen surfer Ceitlin Lilidh.

Paris is the host city for the 2024 Olympics but the surfing will take place in Tahiti, in French Polynesia.

The documentary is the latest series from MacTV, co-produced with French company Yami 2, and directed by John Murdo MacAulay.

The first part will air on Tuesday, July 23, at 9pm (in Gaelic with English subtitles), with the second on Tuesday, July 30. It can be watched live or on demand.

Producer Ann Morrison said: “It’s much more than a sport to the people of Tahiti, where surfing was born. It is an expression of the culture – the culture of the people of the water, the Polynesians.

“Much of the rich culture and history of the Polynesian people was almost wiped out, but thanks to guardians like Tom Pohaku Stone the traditions of dancing on wooden boards was passed on to future generations and to the rest of the world where it is now practiced by tens of millions of enthusiasts.”

Keen surfer Ceitlin Lilidh presents the two-part BBC ALBA documentary Surfing: Marcachd an Tuinn / Riding the Wave. Picture: BBC ALBA
Keen surfer Ceitlin Lilidh presents the two-part BBC ALBA documentary Surfing: Marcachd an Tuinn / Riding the Wave. Picture: BBC ALBA

From being an exotic distraction for Westerners holidaying in Hawaii in the early 20th century, to taking off on the west coast of America as part of the California beach scene, surfing eventually reached the colder shores of Scotland. Members of Thurso-based North Shore Surf Club have won multiple honours at national championships and two competed in the world junior championships in Brazil at the end of last year

Margaret Cameron, MG ALBA director of content, said: “Surfing has taken the sporting world by storm – so much so that it has now earned its place at the Olympics.

“After making its debut appearance at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, it’s now a firm fixture in the Olympic schedule. We’re excited to share the history of surfing with audiences across the country before we keenly watch how its next chapter plays out at the Paris Olympic Games later this month.”


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