Cave Rock Crunch

Tuesday 16 July 2014 Rumblings from the tropics of Durban hinted at another underground invitational going down. With a little research, we discovered that this month, 18 bodyboarders and 4 surfers will lay it down at the Cave Rock Invitational. We caught up with Mike Ostler.

WS: So Rat, tune us what going down at Cave Rock?

MO: Simple really, a day of surfing and fun in the sun for the riders of the Rock, by the riders of the Rock. No sponsors. Hence the vibe has been so underground. The riders are mostly locals, a few outsiders, one month waiting period, invitation only and winner takes all.

WS: So the event window period has begun already?

MO: Yeah, we opened the window on July 14 and will wait till August 14, I am sure will find one good day for the event in that period.

WS: ahh, it's a one day event?

MO: Yeah, the Event will run over one day, it’s a Winner takes all and celebrations will be festive in every aspect!

WS: So who are the lucky few to crack the nod?

MO: The 18 bodyboarders are:

Andre Botha
Marck Botha
Steven Du Preez
Jonathan Oliff Oros
Tyler Vorster
Rheinard Du Tooi
Michael Ostler
Jaco Theron
Billy Thiel
Tristan Roberts
Johan De Goede
Storm Prestwich
Taylor Hickman
Jonathan Bernon
Mark McCarthy
Garryd Ensor Smith
Stuart Bradford
#winner of King of the Beach (treasue beach event)

The Expression session:

4x Surfer

Rudy Palmboom Snr
Warwick Wright
Ricky Basnett
Scott Venter

2 x Dropknee riders

2 x prone riders

The contest break down is as follows:

Main event quarter finals
Expression session semi finals
Main event Semi Finals
Expression session Final
Main event Finals

From my side I think this event is going to be nuts! The top 18 guys in the main event are guys that are going to without a doubt push the envelope as far as the level of bodyboarding is concerned and it is going to be an amazing day of competition all in all.

WS: Some big names in both bodyboarding and Surfing in that list.

MO: Yeah, Durban is packed with world class talent. It’s great to have South Africa’s very own two-time World Bodyboarding Champion, Andre Botha in the main event and for the first time in who knows how long, competing back on home turf.

It’s awesome that we have his brother, Marck, in the mix to after winning the voting poll and qualifying for the main event. Then we have new talent in the form of the Boland wunderkind: Tristan Roberts who was recently was crowned the Tand King and the Pro SABA champ for 2014!

I could sit here and go through every rider listed as they all have there great results and are really deserved of a seed in the main event. I don’t think my words on paper will justify what is going to be expressed in the water the day of the event. With so much to prove and statements to be made, I think guys are going to be pushing the limits of their bodies more than ever!

The stand up guys have some solid representation in the form of ex World Tour campaigner and local Hellman, Ricky Basnett and Bluff local phenomenon in the form of Rudy Palmboom Jnr. All the surfers invited into the event were super pumped to get on board with the boys lying down. The idea has inspired me to do my part in changing this issue every wave rider has experienced.

So with that being said this event is a mixed event… There are no sponsors for the event and I’m stoked on how everything has fallen into place. This is a non profit event and I’m running it for the first time with a goal of running it again next year and the year after that…

WS: What the best part been about trying to put on an event for the first time?

MO: The best part about me running this event and personally I have had one thing where I have really been taken back by it all and it is this, not one rider or supporter on Facebook or in person or anything has asked me how much first place gets. Not One Person.

Everybody is riding out of pure stoke and passion and i think its just mind blowing! I mean Deon Meyer is MC at the event and is flying down on his own wallet to be at the event to MC, guys from all over SA are riding and no issues what so ever to date. Its just brilliant and I’m stoked to have guys involved in the event that are just so pumped to be involved! I have International and SABA head judge, Marc Rossouw offering his services for free and just amping on supporting. It’s blown my mind and I am truly grateful for it and for them!

WS: So how do people follow this event?

MO: All information regarding the event can be viewed through the Facebook page : Cave Rock Invitational or you can follow me on Twitter and instagram