Tandem Waveriders Organization

Congrats to all the teams that surfed Oceanside last weekend!  OLSC were excellent hosts and have invited tandem back again next year.  If you missed it,  the weekend started with Guy Takyama’s Pro Noseriding event on Friday, SuperGirl Pro Shortboarding on Saturday and preliminary rounds of tandem.  Sunday was the final.  Waves were 4-5 feet with the best waves on Sunday!  Talk about close final… it came down to 7 hundredths of a point, but coming out Chuck and Tiffany from Hawaii won the event.  Brian and Hana McEvilly who were local favorites got 2nd, Clay and Kristen of RWorld got 3rd, and Mark & Debbie Gale got 4th.  Chuck and Tiffany had 2 solid combos that were executed until perfection with Tiffany’s trademarkable precision.  Hana and Brian got the best waves of the heat with a different combination on each wave displaying, excellent control and presentation.  Clay and Kristen wowed the crowd with their straddle and helicopter.  Mark and Debbie had trouble in the final with the best waves screaming lefts, but during the preliminary heats had earned their place in the Final with solid lifting and surfing.  Also notable in the preliminary rounds were Charles and Myra’s Surfing Swan.  Landon is now surfing with a new partner and had some solid sequences with Beth.  Travis and Kate were great to see tandem surfing it up!  Hope to see more teams next year at the Oceanside event!

This was a special contest for several reasons.  First, its always fun to tandem a perfect break with a few of your favorite friends.  No one really cares who actually wins when you already feel like you scored.  The surf was small but fun in the 2-3 foot range.  It was perfect for tandem IF you got the right wave.  Results…

1st – Todd & Gina: after a couple years not seeing this team, it was a treat to see them come back strong with the 2  best and longest rides, completing solid 1 arm backs, high angels and classic moves.

2nd – Brian & Hana: this father and daughter team successfully completed some of the hardest lifts seen at the contest including a foot to head, high arch and arrow.

3rd – Craig & Tanya:  earned a high finish with Solid surfing and successful lifting combos.

4th – The Gales: going for it with some harder lifts, but not quite backing it up with a solid second wave.

5th – The Huntingtons: Looking for a good point wave but never quite in sync, this time.  Pulled out their classic helicopter.

6th – The Reynolds:  so good to see them back after a couple years hiatis.  A few more sessions in the water to get the rust off the hinges, and watch out!

Congrats to all the teams that competed, especially Charles & Myra who graciously shared their home break and helped announce.  Also a warm welcome to Wendy, Chris’ new tandem partner.

This is also a special contest to all that knew Svetla.  Every year the Stunt Women Association honor a tandem woman who exemplifies what Svetla was all about: grace, strength and passion.  This year we nominated and honored Kristen Huntington, our fearless leader, for all she does promoting the sport and nurturing her tandem family.

A big THANK YOU to Malibu Boardriders for hosting the event and until next time ( i believe MSA is in September!)