Tand Rears Her Tusks
Thursday 26 May 2011 Tand has been called many things, including Khoisan Ledge and Razor Blades. Her location has been a mystery; her true name spoken in whispers. Surfers fear it, bodyboarders love it. She breaks boards and bones but gives the roundest barrel you will see on the South African coastline. Now she hosts her first contest. By invite only.
After years of shrouded mystery, secret road trips, blind-folded drives in the boot and turf wars, the spot they call Tand brings you the pinnacle of bodyboarding events in South Africa - the Tand Invitational 2011.
But first, a description. A heavy, flat bottomed reef on the West Coast unloads with the detonating crack of an explosion. You're in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by rugged empty beauty and the shuddering thump of wild waves. For years, the locals dominated and blew minds. Top bodyboarders in South Africa have used it as a proving ground. Jared Houston attributed his success on the world tour to it, and calls it one of his favourite spots. Mark McCarthy used it as a training ground for the Shark Island Challenge in Australia where he got a second. Top international riders call it the best wave in SA.
The brainchild behind the event, Jarret Johnson, approached Simon Heale with the concept, and the two came up with a plan. "The local boys gave us the go ahead, which was the main thing and it was all on from there. The Facebook page went up and within a few days we were an internet spamming sensation rivalling the likes of Rebecca Black," says Heale.
Billy Thiel, South African bodyboarding legend and international travel guru, has committed Thiel Board Co as the main sponsor and thrown in a a R10,000 prize.
Sixteen riders comprise four locals, four from Western Province, four from KZN and four speciality entries. The 16 riders are voted there by their peers, the bodyboarding community, which is a first for South Africa. The format comprises 4 x standard four man knockout heats, with the top two riders from each heat advancing until the final.
"We have a two week waiting period to allow for the best possible day to run the event. It will last only four hours enabling us to have the best conditions of the day."
Voting for the top 16 riders is underway. Head to the Facebook Page, and "Like" it here and then vote for your favourite rider here. One vote per poll. Check Thiel Board Co on Facebook here
