We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again… the Billabong Pro Tahiti kicks off this Thursday! Our favorite part about this annual event is the anticipation leading up to it. We’re loving the fact that all the attention right now is on Teahupo’o — a part of Tahiti that often remains unexplored outside the surfing community.

Billabong always puts together awesome video teasers and webisodes leading up to the event. We already showed you their official teaser, but here are the latest episodes featuring interviews with Kelly Slater and others. This one below is a great look at the Tahitian lifestyle from the surfers’ perspective. They talk about eating fresh fish and poisson cru while simply “living in the moment.”

This next one talks about the grueling challenge these surfers face when attempting to ride one of the biggest waves on earth.

If you’re feeling inspired to test your surfing ability to the fullest, here are some words of advice from local expert Michel Bourez on how to ride and stay alive at Teahupo’o.

Check back for more updates!