• Tahitian Matahi Drollet (PYF) was born November 2, 1997, and is the youngest surfer in this year's XXL Big Wave Awards. While most kids his age are excited about getting into R-rated movies with legit IDs, Drollet is excited about charging some of the world's heaviest big-wave barrels with older brother Manoa (PYF).
    1 of 5
  • "As a kid, I hated to surf with the crowd, I wasn't good enough," Drollet shared. "Outside was an unsurfed wave -- Maoti in Papara -- and it was just calling me, so very early on I surfed bigger waves than most, alone. I started to always want to surf big waves."
    - WSL / Marc-Antoine Bouvant
    2 of 5
  • Drollet's submission for the 2014/2015 XXL Awards Tube category. Photo (1/3): Oliver Emsallem.
    - WSL / Oliver Emsallem
    3 of 5
  • "It was natural. I was 12-years-old when I surfed Teahupo'o a lot and ever since it got bigger and bigger." Photo (2/3): Oliver Emsallem.
    - WSL / Oliver Emsallem
    4 of 5
  • It's a family affair for Matahi, who credits his big brother with helping him get started. "My brother Manoa was with me for my first session at Teahupo'o and again during my big session. He gave me some tips, makes me feel confident and safe with him. He brought me to my first tow-in session. I'm lucky to have him by my side. I have the privilege to live in Teahupo'o and it helps me a lot." Photo (3/3): Oliver Emsallem.
    - WSL / Oliver Emsallem
    5 of 5
Tahitian Matahi Drollet (PYF) was born November 2, 1997, and is the youngest surfer in this year's XXL Big Wave Awards. While most kids his age are excited about getting into R-rated movies with legit IDs, Drollet is excited about charging some of the world's heaviest big-wave barrels with older brother Manoa (PYF).
1 of 5
Tahitian Matahi Drollet (PYF) was born November 2, 1997, and is the youngest surfer in this year's XXL Big Wave Awards. While most kids his age are excited about getting into R-rated movies with legit IDs, Drollet is excited about charging some of the world's heaviest big-wave barrels with older brother Manoa (PYF).
1 of 5

More from Big Wave Awards

See all
- WSL
Slater Neborsky
Annie Reickert at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii

Video by Slater Neborsky

- WSL
Red Bull
Raquel Heckert at Himalayas, Oahu, Hawaii

Video by Red Bull

- WSL
Fred Pompermayer
Ben Andrews at Mavericks, Half Moon Bay, California

Video by Fred Pompermayer

- WSL
Jorge Leal
Michelle des Bouillons at Nazaré, Leiria, Portugal

Video by Jorge Leal

Matahi Drollet

Matahi Drollet, 17, takes on some of the world's heaviest barrels.

See more

More from Big Wave Awards

See all
- WSL
Slater Neborsky
Annie Reickert at Jaws, Maui, Hawaii

Video by Slater Neborsky

- WSL
Red Bull
Raquel Heckert at Himalayas, Oahu, Hawaii

Video by Red Bull

- WSL
Fred Pompermayer
Ben Andrews at Mavericks, Half Moon Bay, California

Video by Fred Pompermayer

- WSL
Jorge Leal
Michelle des Bouillons at Nazaré, Leiria, Portugal

Video by Jorge Leal

World Surf League

Tours and Competition

Discover

Contact

© 2023 World Surf League Privacy Terms
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
World Surf League
Download it for free on the App store. Download it for free on Google Play.
Download
Download