E63: Sidebar Conversations - Behind the Wave of 2024 Olympic Surfing with Head Judge Rich Pierce

Written By Sarah Harwood

Sidebar Conversations is our monthly series where we dive into challenging topics, current events, explore faith, and much more. Expect fresh insights from familiar faces and new voices as we engage in candid discussions. Join us for open and honest friendship, embracing diverse perspectives.

Featured guest: Rich Pierce, a highly respected International Surfing Association (ISA) and Head Olympic judge, returns to the Olympic stage for the 2024 Tahiti Games. The veteran judge, who played a role in surfing's historic Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, shared his story and insights into the world of professional sports judging in Episode 17 of the Ameritocracy podcast.

Topics explored in this episode:

  • The process of selecting judges for the Olympics

  • Competitor qualifications

  • The dangerous conditions and unique challenges of surfing Teahupo’o

  • Wave quality and how it impacts the surfer’s score

  • Impact of the Olympics on the surfing industry

Sarah Harwood
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