Digital Domain, World Surf League To Produce Immersive 360° VR in Tahiti

Academy Award-winning studio Digital Domain is teaming up with World Surf League (WSL) to deliver state-of-the-art virtual reality content to the world from some of the most exotic and remote locations in Tahiti.

Stop number seven of 11 on the 2016 Samsung Galaxy WSL Championship Tour, the Billabong Pro Tahiti is home to the infamous Teahupo’o, a reef pass where some the heaviest waves on Earth break in two feet of water over razor-sharp coral. The immersive 360° experience will showcase the world’s best surfers as they tackle these massive waves in an elite level competition. Surfing fans from around the globe will have a virtual beachfront view of the action during one of the year’s most anticipated surf events, featuring first-person footage, 360° close-ups and exclusive Q&As with the pros.

“Digital Domain is proud to team up with the World Surf League to bring these athletic feats to life through stunning 360° footage,” says Rich Flier, Managing Director of Business Development for Digital Domain. “Together we are enabling surfing fans and VR enthusiasts alike to experience the thrills of a Tahitian beach, watching the best surfers in the world go head-to-head, while also showcasing the possibilities for virtual reality in extreme sports.”

“We’re excited to leverage the power of virtual reality to bring to life unique experiences, like surfing in Tahiti,” says Tim Greenberg, SVP of Digital for the World Surf League. “We can now transport viewers into the center of the action, and with innovative cameras and advanced 360° filming techniques, Digital Domain was able to perfectly capture the beauty and drama of the sport.”

This tournament is the second in a series of experiences Digital Domain has created with the World Surf League. Taking place August 19-30, the Billabong Pro Tahiti Men’s Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour #7 is a marquee event, one of the largest competitions these athletes will face this year.

Virtual reality is an increasingly common medium for broadcasting extreme sporting events to viewers around the globe. With immersive coverage of both traditional and alternative sports, Digital Domain strives to be the industry leader in producing and distributing both broadcast and streaming VR content.