Tandem surfing involves two surfers, either on a longboard or stand up paddle board, executing manoeuvres and lifts for score in an attempt to walk away with the winner's trophy.
The 2012 championship was won by father and daughter duo Paul and Pippa Jones in the inaugural Similasan Tandem Surfing Championships. This year spaces for entries have doubled with two events planned - the qualifying rounds on Saturday, 19 October at 2pm, and the finals on Sunday at 11am. Avid board riders and surfing veterans, Paul Botha and Glen Thompson are in the process of creating The Earthwave Tandem Surfing Club which aims to further promote the sport within the South African board sports community.
"We are in the process of formalising a club which will fall under the Surfing South Africa. Our long-term goal is to be recognised by the International Surfing Association," says Thompson. "This creates a platform to encourage other clubs to form elsewhere in the country and for future talent to be selected to represent South Africa at the ISA World Champs."
Tandem surfing is considered an elite skill with around 30 international teams participating annually in the world championships at Queen's Reef at Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. The only criteria for the Similasan Tandem Surfing Championships is for two participants to be on one board at the same time, executing lifts. "We have teams comprising a surfer and his girlfriend, families and friends. We just want everybody to participate and encourage board sports enthusiasts of all ages to participate."
At the festival, an attempt will be made to break the world record for the most surfers riding one wave on Sunday, 20 October. There will also be an attempt to set the world record for longest touch rugby game. Another top international health brand, Diabecinn, is sponsoring the first aid tent and will be offering free cholesterol and blood glucose levels testing over the two-day festival.
Information about entering the competition will be made available on the Earthwave Tandem Surfing Club's Facebook page or email moc.liamg@bulcgnifrusmednatevawhtrae.
