Griffin Colapinto Says ‘You Can Either Die’ or Have ‘Best Ride of Your Life’ at Olympic Surf Venue (Exclusive)

While speaking with PEOPLE ahead of his Olympic debut, the pro surfer described the Tahiti break as "one of the most dangerous, rewarding waves in the world"

Griffin Colapinto is going for more than just the gold.

The professional surfer spoke with PEOPLE ahead of his Olympic debut about the remarkable waves at Teahupoʻo, the infamous surf break in Tahiti that will serve as the surf venue for the 2024 Paris Summer Games.

For those who aren't familiar with the French Polynesian spot located off Tahiti's southwestern coast, Colapinto — who's currently ranked No. 2 in the world on the WSL Tour — describes it as "one of the most dangerous, rewarding waves in the world."

Simply put, he tells PEOPLE: "You could either die out there or you could have the best ride of your life."

Related: Surfer Caroline Marks Says She’s ‘Definitely Going to Bring’ a Helmet to Olympics, Explains ‘Big Risk’ (Exclusive)

But for the 25-year-old Californian, who's native of San Clemente and started surfing competitively at age 13, he says he's "definitely feeling confident" despite the dangers of the wave. "I've been going there since I was super young and I feel like I don't really get scared of waves like that," he explains.

In fact, Colapinto reveals "it's definitely a favorite spot" of his because "it plays into [his] wheelhouse really well." Since he's "been putting a lot of practice in" ahead of the Games, it's obvious the surfer's gunning for the gold — and of course, the best ride of his life.

World Champion surfer Caroline Marks, who will also rep Team USA at the 2024 Olympics, recently told PEOPLE that the Teahupoʻo break is "one of the most intense and scariest waves in the world" in part due to the waves' ever-changing "range" in size.

Related: Meet Caity Simmers, Teen Surf Phenom Who ‘Wasn’t Set on Being Pro’ but Qualified for the Olympics (Exclusive)

Fortunately, Colapinto has a strategy to combat the unpredictability of the big, barreling waves that can be as small as two feet one day and as big as 12 feet the next. "I think just being super connected with the ocean and just letting Teahupo'o call the shots," he tells PEOPLE of what it takes to win gold.

"That's one thing for surfers, especially with barreling waves, is that the more connected you are with the ocean, the more things just go in your way," he explains. "And to have an open mind and be super just totally at ease with any outcome that's a possibility."

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This year, helmets have entered the conversation due to the sketchy underwater mechanics at Teahupo'o. The wave forms from deep water and slams over a very shallow reef, therefore making a wipeout even more consequential if slammed down on it.

While Colapinto says he's "not sure" whether he'll sport one at the Olympics, he says he "definitely thinks people will be wearing helmets" during competition this year. "If you hit your head on the bottom, [the helmet] definitely will save you and you'd be really happy you wore it."

Related: Surfer Griffin Colapinto Had Matthew McConaughey ‘Psyching’ Him Up Before Qualifying for the 2024 Olympics

With his California cool, laid-back mindset, Colapinto also highlighted the importance of "having a free spirit" while understanding that "you could lose or you could win" the event. He says, "I think whoever tunes into that will probably win the comp."

Surfing returns to the Olympics after making its debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (which were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). In addition to Colapinto and Caroline Marks, the Team USA surf team includes Carissa Moore, Caitlin Simmers and John John Florence.

Carissa Moore made history at the 2020 Summer Games as the first female surfer to win gold in the sport. Both Marks and Florence will make their sophomore appearance at the Olympics, while Simmers will make her debut.

Both Florence and Simmers are currently ranked No. 1 in the world on the WSL Tour in the men's and women's divisions, respectively. Marks and Colapinto currently sit No. 2 in the world in their respective divisions.

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