Jack Robinson has won silver in the Men's Surfing competition at Paris 2024, behind 22-year-old Teahupo'o local, Frenchman Kauli Vaast.

The result is Australia's best-ever at an Olympic Games, after Owen Wright snared bronze at the sport’s debut in Tokyo.

“The medals are getting shinier for sure. So hopefully the gold will be won next time," an elated Jack said.

“I feel amazing. You know there always the inner competitor that wants to go one better, but you also have to think that it's such a long ride that I've been on, and it's really just getting into the best part of it right now. 

“I've got a lot more to come. I'm just grateful to be healthy and ready to go for the next one. I get to go for a world title at the end of the year, so this is just another special moment along that journey.

“I knew we were going to be a good matchup in the final. I felt like it was whoever was on the best waves because we could both ride them really well. It was his moment. That's special.”

Vaast struck the first blow of the gold medal match, surfing a long barrel ten minutes in, and grabbing another solid wave soon after. The Tahitian goofy-footer was controlled and precise, his opening wave registering a score of 9.50, one of the highest-scoring waves of the Olympic competiton.

Jack's response scored 7.83 but Vaast's next ride at 8.17 meant the Aussie had to be extra selective, a big score required to remain in the mix for gold.

Mother nature took charge with a long lull at the famous Teahupo'o break, the clock counting down to within two minutes, and Jack racing against time to grab the gold.

With the Tahitian locals hollering, the ocean failed to deliver a wave for the Aussie, and Vaast claimed the gold, Jack in silver. Brazil's Gabriel Medina took the bronze in the earlier heat.

Robinson nearly didn’t make the final after sustaining a cut to his right foot during a training session that required five stitches near his ankle just days before the final.

“I almost didn't get to surf this whole event. I got to surf and I was so close…I'm so fulfilled, you know, I get to take home this whole experience and take the momentum. 

“My foot didn't affect me, but it was so close to affecting me. I'll always just looked back on that moment and never take it for granted.

“I visualised the moment so much that now it feels like I'm right where I'm meant to be. I'm blessed it's just you dream of it as a kid.

“I'm right where I'm meant to be. I'm grateful for that.”