Toothy Times up the Coast

TOOTHY TROPHY: Tristan Roberts after his big win. Photo Craig Kolesky / Red Bull Content Pool

World Champion in 2019 Tristan Roberts recently claimed his third Tand Invititional up the West Coast. The event included another three former world champs: Iain Campbell (2017) and Jared Houston (2015, 2018) and Sacha Specker with a world drop knee title (2012).

Tell us what makes this event so gnarly compared to a regular comp.
I think the most exhilarating thing about this comp, is that it’s by invite only. You know the event organizers are going to only invite guys who they feel have the ability to put on a show, so the heats are always so stacked. There is no room for error, if you get there and make mistakes in your first heat, well then you're going to be watching the rest of the comp from the rocks. That’s always my concern, getting knocked out early and watching the boys get absolutely barreled for the rest of the day. The thought of that sucks!

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I think the spectators that are there also play a massive role. They are all frothing so much and shouting as each guy paddles into the next heaving barrel. The wave is so perfect for the bodyboard, you have a heavy take off behind the scariest rock that you need to ride past. You are either then greeted with a large barrel or you are getting gifted with one of the most perfect ramps. But it’s all so intense. You are fighting so much power.

You've won it a few times now, correct? How special is it to win the Tand?
Yeah this is my third victory at Tand and the feeling of winning this event is always as exciting as the last. I think it’s due to the high level of riding, You have to bring your A-game. There is no playing safe. It’s all about who can go bigger and push themselves harder to try and chase those 10-point rides. I think this event will always be seen as the proving ground. Winning a South African title is great, but what’s really great about winning a SA title is that it will increase your chances of getting an invite to the Tand Invitational. This event is a true representation of what bodyboarding is really about.

WIDE SPOT: Tand breaks on a shallow slab. Photo Craig Kolesky / Red Bull Content Pool

This year's event was particularly stacked, with no less than 4 World Champs in the field. Must have been good to come out on top?
It did indeed feel great. Winning an event when it's a true battle is a lot more satisfying. The boys were really going for it out there. It was incredible to get out of my heat and watch guys battle it out from the rocks before paddling out for my next. You would hear the spectators start getting excited as someone scratched into the next wave and then hear them erupt when the ride was completed.

It's a one day, big hit event, what does it take (mentally and physically) to put on your best form during each heat of the day
You know, I think about that a lot, because like I said the last thing I want to do is be eliminated early and then watch the rest of the event unfold. Physically I think you know when you are truly ready ... or just going there because you got an invite. You must also be satisfied with your riding ability over the preceding few weeks or months. I go there to do the tricks I have done over and over again. Only you know how much work you put into training. Being physically strong contributes massively to your mental game. And that’s the massive difference at this level - being 100% confident in your ability, and knowing you are able to execute the trick needed without questioning yourself. Then it’s just wave selection from there, selecting the waves that have the potential to score as excellent rides. The rest of the waves are inviting to go on, but you need to let them go by. Or else you will paddle back and watch someone else ride the 10 point ride you were wanting.

BARREL TIME: Negotiating the tube can be a bit tricky. Photo Craig Kolesky / Red Bull Content Pool

With so many home-grown Saffa world champs, why do you think bodyboarding is not more 'well known' in the SA mainstream sports scene?
There are many reasons, but I will stick to the most obvious reason. We don’t have enough events like Tand. Events that focus on attracting spectators and making it a day of excitement for them as well as producing good content of the best riders in the best conditions. Ask anyone that was there on the If you see the interest and crowd that came down to watch, you will quickly see how many people love watching bodyboarding.day if they had a good time, I guarantee you they will say yes. If you see the interest and crowd that came down to watch, you will quickly see how many people love watching bodyboarding. I think the main focus for any event should be having good waves and having good media around the event. If you have that, you already attract attention that mainstream media cannot ignore. That’s the bottom line event organisers have been missing for a long time. Many times the events have one or the other. We need to focus on showing people what the sport is about. The Tand event is so important for our sport in the country and I am so happy it came back this year. It is a good bench mark for anyone to work off if you want a bodyboarding event to be a success. Having events like this reignites the stoke. So hats off to everyone who made it happen.

OVERBITE: Tand has sharp teeth when she bites. Photo Craig Kolesky / Red Bull Content Pool

What is next for you?
All my focus is on chasing world titles and competing. For the next few years, I will be trying to add to my world title win in 2019. I owe it to myself, after all the years of sacrifice for the sport, I want to keep pushing myself in the competition scene until I get over that. Other than that, it’s to keep producing content for guys to hopefully be amped on and get them inspired to keep doing what we all love - ride waves!

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Photos and story courtesy Red Bull ZA