The Tand event was one of the best celebrations of the sport I have seen in years, it was so awesome!
The day started off a bit earlier than I had hoped. I was packed the night before in preparation for an early departure. It was a quick coffee and we were on our way with Rosie. As it was a Saturday, Rosie didn’t have to work which meant it was me and her in the car on our way up to the event.
Seeing the early morning light start to creep over the mountain I couldn’t stop thinking about the day. Nervousness and anxiety clouding the visions of positivity. I was excited but at the same time this was my first event in 15+ months. This was my first time back and I was prepared and ready for action.
Arriving to see some calm but choppy conditions meant we would have to wait until 10:30am before the start of the first heat. I was in heat 2 meaning I would be starting around 11:00am and closer to the imminent low tide. As I suited up on the rock, I watched as riders of the previous heat showed why they had progressed by finding good waves as conditions started to improved.
My first heat went well, but not from the start. I got 3 waves to start and struggled to get into them. They were allowing for me to get scores but as the heat went on, the conditions got better and I was able to score two barrels. These scores pushed me into first and allowed for me to progress with Wilder Schultz.
My seconds heat of the day and another 30 minute battle against even tougher competition. Jared Houston and I went back to back trading scores and getting some amazing waves. The rhythm of our waves and trading with the other riders allowed us to get some of the best barrels I’ve had out there. Scoring high up as Jared kept progressing above me and trading off some wild rides. These kind of heats happen from time to time. You feel in flow and in tune with the waves and another competitor. The last time was in the Pipeline Final with Tanner McDaniel. Jared got the first position and I ended in second to progress into the finals.
The final heat of the day and it was myself, Tristan Roberts, Jared Houston and Mark McCarthy. The heat was absolutely stacked. I was feeling so good about the next heat. It was going to be so much fun trading off against these guys. The siren went as the conditions started to deteriorate. Everyone was getting waves but with the lack of speaker volume and a dead spot behind the rocks, non of us knew what was happening in the water.
10 minutes to the end of the 40 min final, Tristan takes off on an epic wave, sending him into the lead and winning the final. No more waves came through and we paddled in to celebrate an awesome day!
What an incredible day for bodyboarding in South Africa at the Tand Invitational 2021!
It was amazing to be joined in the water by some incredible riders. Congrats to everyone for putting on one hell of a show.
Big shoutout to Tristan Roberts for the win as well as Jared Houston and Mark McCarthy for their results in the final! Was awesome to see everyone pushing the limits.
Thanks to Deon Meyer, Wilder Schultz and everyone who had a part to do with the running or organising this event. Not to forget the man who started this all Jarret Johnson, you would have been proud bru.
A huge shoutout to my support team on the day, Rosie, Phil, Morbo, Suzanne and Rory, you guys were amazing every step of the way and played a vital role in my success!
Looking forward to putting that event vest back on really soon…
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