The best surfing conditions in Tahiti, however, may not coincide with the Olympics.

Brave the consistently good waves that offer some of the best surfing of any big city.

A 15-minute walk over grassy dunes brings you to Gwithian, with one of west Cornwall's best surfing beaches.

Oahu's North Shore has some of the country's best surfing-beginnersshould head south for lessons on Waikiki's gentler waves.

It is also regarded as the best surfing beach in Pembrokeshire and one of the best tourist beaches in the world.

Australia has a deeply entrenched beach culture and some of the world's best surfing sites, which are popular with both locals and tourists.