The 2024 Tand Invitational
A legendary line-up
written by Pierre Marqua
In a world that wants to see only the best athletes going to battle in premier waves, it is these World-class events – that set themselves apart from the routine – leading the way in all genres of extreme sports.
But, as we speak, World bodyboarding is in a revival of sorts. Thanks to the sports growth on social media, a massive shift back to bodyboarding’s core values has been documented.But, as we speak, World bodyboarding is in a revival of sorts. Thanks to the sports growth on social media, a massive shift back to bodyboarding’s core values has been documented.
For the first time in many years, we are seeing the Shark Island Challenge in Australia, run again. Like the Tand, it is an independent, core bodyboarding event— where big moves, in big waves over shallow slabs, win big money.
Another independent event that could potentially be showing itself again, is hosted at this particular sports home ground, Banzai Pipeline in Hawaii, and is a location that has been sorely missed on the world tour for the last couple of years.
Breaking the mould of the Tand’s former glories, some of the industry’s biggest names have thrown their money into the hat and signed up to compete – and there is no name bigger than that of Mike Stewart.
This Hawaiian is considered to be the GOAT of bodyboarding and is cemented into the sport’s history. From the 80’s poster era to the current Instagram influencer era, Mike has remained as current, competitive, and consistent as ever. All things considered, at the age of 60, he is still able to give the boys a solid run for their money.
The allure of a paying visit to the dentist, has finally paid off for South African sports fans, as Mike is not coming alone…Joining him in this year’s lineup, is Maui’s high-flying Jacob Romero. The bodyboarder with an infectious smile will be making his second trip to South Africa! Internationally respected for his positive energy and powerful surfing, many fans will be frothing to see the innovative Hawaiian perform in African slabbed perfection. Tand is perfect for J-ROM, and we hope he brings his best air game.
The 3rd international invite has been accepted by Italy’s underground big wave hellman, Simone Macera. The man from Livorno, a city on the Tyrrhenian Sea in Toscana, Italy, has earned his reputation as a fearless XXL rider by taming monstrous waves at Nazaré, Portugal. He is set to take on a whole new beast of a wave, the hard-hitting right-hander known as Tand.
As we all well know, the Tand Invitational is not your average bodyboarding event. Owing to its name, the only bodyboarders allowed to attend the event were those who received invitations and many avenues were provided for athletes to reach the Tand selection panel’s radar. To earn their names on the list, athletes had to either secure a win at last year’s event, put in the time surfing at Tand, or execute high level performances in the local competition scene hosted around the country.
And let’s not forget the Wild Card Applications…This process was a brand new addition to the 2024 Tand Invitational. Bodyboarders from anywhere in South Africa had the chance to motivate their selection with a short video showcasing their skills, via Instagram.
This year, we will see wildcard invites sent out to first-timers, John Caitlin and Dylan Muhlenberg. Luke Stainforth and Luke Bruton, who both competed in the 2023 event, secured the last two wildcards, thus rounding up the Tand Invitational 2024 lineup.
This year the South African contingent is led by multiple world champion, Tristan Roberts, who is currently one of South Africa’s top athletes, Tristan Roberts. Fresh off a win in South America, the contest machine is currently firing on all cylinders and is sure to be going after the crown – currently held by Wesley Coetzee. The quiet charger from the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, will be bringing his A-Game the battle to a title defence of a lifetime.
Joining the lineup will be the 2024 Cape Town Pro champion, Hankus Loubser; the 2023 Walker Bay Pro winner, Benji Oliver; and current SA Champ Aden Kleve and last but not least, IBC World Tour contender, Robbie Berman who finished third at the 2023 Tand Invitational.
Mark MacCarthy, Sacha Specker, and Rupert la Grange are just a few more of the local legends that will be joining the battle at this year’s Tand Invitational. All three of these gents are no strangers to Tand or high-stakes competition – with Mark representing South Africa on the world tour for many years, and Sacha claiming the World Drop knee title back in 2012 at Pipeline, Hawaii.
As a collective, those who have been a part of the Tand Invitational since its inception, are all firm believers in the conservation and protection of South Africa’s valuable resources.
In saying this, we are very proud to announce that the Tand Invitational has teamed up with Protect The West Coast as of 2024 to assist the team in raising funds and awareness for the Movement that is so close to home. This initiative speaks deeply to our passion for conservation and protecting our West Coast resources for the generations to come.
Following the success of the 2023 Tand Invitational, this years event will be live-streamed on YouTube yet again despite the surf spots remote and unconventional location.
The 2024 Tand Invitational is proudly presented by Jack Black Brewing Co, along with Eagle Lighting, Jackery, Redbull, Fabricant, What Goes Around SA, Ryan Boon Meats, Urban Hippy, Traeger Grill, and KiffLab. Without this amazing local support, an event like this would never be a reality.