Toothy Overbite!
The toothy slab with a scary overbite up the Weskus looks set to chew some bodyboards as the window for The Tand Invitational 2023 opens for the 11th year running.
Presented by HandPicked Bodyboards, this year's window is open from 1 to 31 July, but the 16 invited bodyboarders from South Africa's elite (with a penchant for dealing with proper waves) only need a day after they get the call to head up the coast to Die Tand.
The Tand Invitational is one of two specialty events that the IBC hosts concurrently to the IBC World Tour. The event has attracted world champions, South African champions, international competitors, and underground locals who have paid their dues and earned their reputation at various home breaks around the country. Since there are only 16 spots, an invite to get eaten alive at the Tand is coveted by riders everywhere.
Tand lies in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, just outside Paternoster Village on the West Coast about 1.5 hours north of Cape Town. With ample parking nearby at the Tietiesbaai campsite, the natural amphitheatre of rock and beach provides a friendly environment to sit and watch the action unfold.
Just remember to wrap up warm. It's been a wild and icy winter on the Cape of Storms.
In a first for the event, if you can't attend the event, it will be live-streamed via the IBC YouTube Channel. This will naturally bring the event to the world and act as a media platform to help promote bodyboarding and the amazing locations South Africa offers as a destination of choice when it comes to surfing culture.
The green light for the contest will be announced via the official Tand Invitational 2023 social media channels. Get in touch with Paternoster Holiday Rentals if you want to immerse yourself in the event and stay over for the after-party.
The Tand Invitational 2023 is presented by HandPicked Bodyboards with supporting sponsorship from Red Bull, Skullcandy, Ryan Boon Meats, Buell Wetsuits, Smit Steenwerke, Jackery, Urban Hippy, Whatgoesaround.co.za, Wavescape, Kiff Lab, Paternoster Holiday Rentals, Comfort Cool Air Conditioners, Fuel Bakery, Wiara Coffee, Marqua Digital Design, and Mumbles.
For more information, please contact Deon Meyer (deon@fabricant.co.za) or Pierre Marqua (marquadigitaldesigner@gmail.com)
Invited athletes
Sacha Specker
Robbie Berman
Benji Oliver
Henkus Esterhuizen
Hugo Naude
Andro Khon
Johan De Goede
Aden Kleve
Alex Nutt
Amaury Lavernhe
Wild Cards
Luke Bruton
David Lillenbeld Pro Am Tand Invite winners
Marc Webster
Andrew Raath
