Tristan Roberts crowned 2013 Tand Champ
posted by Chris van der Westhuizen on 27th June 2013
16-year-old
Tristan Roberts claimed first place in the third annual Tand
Invitational after busting a radical air reverse out the bowl that
earned him 10's across the scoreboard and drew wild applause from
spectators on the beach.
The overall results were:
1st:
Tristan Roberts (winning R20, 000)
2nd:
Jared Houston
3rd:
Andre-Hugo van Zyl
4th:
Rupert Le Grange
Shaggy
Choice Award (heaviest wipeout): Adam Morley
The
contest was held on Wednesday, 26 June, in highly contestable
conditions that challenged riders throughout the quarter, semi and
final heats. Following the big and relatively bumpy swell in the
morning (that claimed a couple of board leashes), the conditions soon
cleaned out and by lunch-time Tand was producing some big hollow pits
and ramps for our competitors.
Young
Tristan Roberts was stoked on his victory, and thanked friends and
family for supporting him.
"Winning
this event is a life changing experience for sure! The level of
riding was ridiculous and the supporters motivated us through every
heat. This contest showed off the potential in bodyboarding and how
each guy pushes another to their limit."
Highlights
of the day included: massive barrel rides by Rupert le Grange; big
ARS's by Josh Kleve; inverts by Andrew Raath; impressive backflips
by Tristan Roberts; crazy combination manoeuvres by Michael Ostler;
and swift forward spins in the pit by Jared Houston.
Houston
congratulated Tristan Roberts on his victory, and assured the crowd
they could expect big things from the Onrus grommet.
"Tristan
has a very bright future in Bodyboarding. I think today was a coming
of age for the 16 year old, he proved he has exactly what it takes to
mix it up with world class riders in world class waves!"
Houston
also expressed his gratitude towards event organisers, thanking them
for the successful running of the event.
"The
Tand invitational is one of, if not my favourite event of the year.
The organisers really took the event to the next level this year and
I am extremely proud to be a part of something of this magnitude on
South African soil. Hats off to all involved, I can't wait to see
whats in store for next year."
Stay
tuned to the IBA YouTube channel (youtube.com/ibaworldtour)
for the Tand Invitational 2013 highlights clip.
The
Tand Invitational 2013 was presented by Sixty40 Bodyboarding
Magazine, Zion SA and the International Bodyboarding Association, in
association with Red Bull, Kingdom Longboards, Bassett Stationers and
Acorn Laser Engraving.
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