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TEAHUPO'O, Tahiti — Cracked helmets, sutured skin and checks for concussions have been a part of the Paris Olympics surfing competition, as surfers go head-to-head on the treacherous waves of Teahupo'o, Tahiti. With big waves and wipe outs, surfers say it's thanks to the water safety patrol— a team of highly-skilled, local workers patrolling with jet skis, operating boats and constantly assessing the ocean from a watch tower— that they've been able to enter the heavy, barrel-shaped waves with confidence. While there's been no severe injuries during the Paris Olympics surfing events, several athletes have gotten stitches, bloody scrapes or large bruises.
