With two American surfers from Hawaii, world champions Carissa Moore and John John Florence, already on the roster, a third island surfing legend was added to Team USA earlier this week.
Kailua-Kona's Shane Dorian was selected as head coach of the United States surfing team for next month's Paris Olympics.
"It's surreal, to be honest," Dorian said. "I've said that to my family and my kids and everything. It's like I grew up watching the Olympics. It was such a big part of my household. Whenever it was on, whether it be the Summer Olympics or the Winter Olympics, it was such a big deal. So to have the chance and opportunity to be a part of it and to work with these athletes and go to the Olympics is just, I mean, I got to pinch myself, right?"
The surfing portion of the games will be held at the iconic Teahupo'o in Tahiti, a wave that is no stranger to Dorian, reigning gold medalist and five-time world champion Carissa Moore, and two-time world champion John John Florence. According to the 51-year-old big wave surfing legend, who is a multiple-time Wave of the Year award winner, the opportunity to chase Olympic gold with some of the Aloha State's all-time greats provides a welcomed wave of emotions.
"There's that pride, right? Like I was born and raised in Hawaii. And just like surfing has been such a huge part of my life. And it's just a point of pride to have two Hawaiian world champions on our team with Carissa Moore and John John Florence. You know, they are so proud to be representing Hawaii in the Olympics. It's going to be really, really cool to have them on the team. A gold medal holds such significance, and it's such a different thing. It's like a childhood dream to win a gold medal at the Olympics."
Dorian, Moore, Florence, and Team USA will start their Olympic journey on July 27 in French Polynesia. Other Hawaii surfers in the field will be Kauai's Tatiana Weston-Webb for Brazil and Oahu's Brisa Hennessy for Costa Rica. Stay with KHON-2 Sports, on-air and online, for continuing coverage.