by Russell Jackson
Australia's world No.1 Joel Parkinson has described the scenes at Teahupoo on Saturday (Sunday AEST) as the "craziest" he's ever seen during his many years coming to the powerful Tahitian break.
The surf became so dangerous, the Tahitian government issued a 'code red', blocking day eight of the Billabong Pro from commencing as waves up to seven metres battered the tiny village.
"It feels like it's going to get bigger and bigger throughout the day," Parkinson told AAP.
"I would hate to go out there. I was enjoying watching but that was it. I saw three or four of the most hideous wipeouts that I've ever seen. Guaranteed, it's the craziest I've seen it."
One local surfer was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg while others have been smashed into the reef and suffered bad cuts.
The swell has been so fierce that waves have been rolling onto people's front lawns and members of the media have been warned their media hut could be flooded and to be ready to evacuate.
World tour veteran Chris Davidson, from North Narrabeen, has been coming to Teahupoo for 15 years and the scenes on Saturday have blown his mind.
"I haven't seen it like this before," he said.
"It's looking pretty rough and tough and even the local boys said then it's not ideal and they've found it a bit hard and nobody has made that many out there.
"It's not perfect like it gets, that swell is coming from a long way and it's looking a bit junky out there.
"If we had to go and surf today, whatever, we would, but they're not going to run in this stuff. Hopefully it settles down tomorrow."
© 2011 AAP
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