People will remember many things about the Rolling Retro this year. There was incredible weather, more hot girls in bikinis than the Playboy mansion, one hell of a party and of course there were insane waves! Stand out performances from the likes of Dale Staples, Josh Brodie, Robbie Schofield and Jacques Smit had the crowd on the beach screaming for makes and groaning for wipeouts. Enjoy the video and make sure that next year you dont miss this event…
Big thanks to the other sponsors: Red Bull, Billabong, Striped Horse, El Jimador, Hurricane Surf, Vudu Surf, Von Zipper
With a grey and rainy start, the ocean looking wild and stormy, many were wondering if the event would start, but organisers and locals decided it was time to test the surfers at the Rolling Retro at Llandudno Beach. With this year’s Mexican theme the patch at the Lifesaving Club was bright and cheerful as apposed to the vibe in the water where close out sets and double overhead conditions were quickly making the event be referred to as Rolling Retro, Code Black.
Photo: Ian Thurtell
The Bodysurfers were first in the lineup and most competitors were quickly getting busy charging the large conditions with no fear. This threw the challenge out to the surfers who quickly followed suit. As the day progressed the sun started fighting through the clouds and the performances in the water kept the growing crowd very entertained. Though there were many broken boards amongst the free surfers, somehow not one Retro Surfboard was lost – a true tribute to the workmanship of these collectors pieces.
Some of the standouts on the day were led by young Muizenberg surfer, Pieter De Wit, who not only took out the Bodysurfing division but also got one of the best tubes of the day. Representing the Llandudno locals was super grom, Luke Slijpen, who showed some of the old boys what style on a retro board should look like and was the clear choice for the best grom award. Following in his son’s footsteps was local, John Slijpen, who charged the big conditions, but also got a massive lip to the head, winning the best wipeout category. Tanika Hoffman was one of the few ladies to brave the wild conditions and she was rewarded for her charging by taking the Best lady award.
Photo: Ian Thurtell
In the last 2 heats, two of South Africa’s best Longboard surfers took to the water, much to everyone on the beach’s delight. Mathew Moir is a two time World Champion and he showed us why, by charging on a 9’2 Longboard on the huge waves. On one wave he somehow recovered from being completely on his back, to the cheers of the crowd. He was followed by Scarbarough’s, Mike Grendon, who went out on an ancient, 20kg, John “Oom” Whitmore Longboard. The Oom must have been smiling down from the heavens as Mike proceeded to charge massive close outs, soul arch down the line and pretty much blow everyone’s minds with his carefree approach to the dangerous conditions. Mathew and Mike shared the hard chargers award.
Amongst the surfers there were a couple of stand outs, with Llandudno brothers Jasper and Logan Eales getting some bombs. Robby Schofield made the trek from the West Coast and got a few pits and did some huge turns to win the best turn of the event. Benjamin Potter and Luke Christie Smith, both sporting ginormous beards, also entertained the crowds both in and out the water. It was Andrew “Roosta” Lange though who had the beach cheering every time he took off on a wave. Taking off on one big set wave, the conditions suddenly went perfect offshore, the light golden as Roosta bottom turned, stood straight up and soul arched through the biggest tube of the day on an old Gerry Lopez Lightning Bolt Surfboard. It was a moment that the entire beach went silent, followed by an eruption of sound as he got spit out the tube. With some stellar turns and floaters added to the mix, he was the unanimous choice for Surfer of the Event.
Photo: Ian Thurtell
Throughout the day the Corona bar was pumping and as the day wore on the El Jimador girls served frozen margaritas and tequila shots, to the sounds of Roastin Records, ensuring that the party was heaving by the time the prize giving was done. All food and bar sales went to raising funds for Llandudno Surf to attend SA Champs and their were smiles all round on the their happy faces. The evening ended with the crowd enjoying the acoustic sounds of the Larter Brothers followed by some retro inspired beats by Dj Ike. All in all another insanely fun day was had by all and the Rolling Retro continues to be referred to as the best day of the year!
Photo: Captain Kai
Big thanks go out to the hard working team behind the scenes, event MC Ilan Sheer, the whole Vudu Surf family and our incredible sponsors El Jimador, Corona, Red Bull, Hurricane Surf, Von Zipper and Gul Wetsuits. The event video will be released in the next few days.
Cape Town’s favorite day of sun, fun and surf returns for it’s 6th year. Once again Vudu Surfboards will be holding the #RollingRetro at Llandudno Beach, with a large collection, of over 45 Retro surfboards, available for entrants to surf in celebration of our surf heritage. Our presenting sponsor, El Jimador, will be keeping the party going and the frozen margaritas flowing, while this year we are joined by everyone’s favorite Mexican beer, Corona! In line with our sponsors, this year the #RollingRetro will have a classic “Baja” theme and we invite everyone to find their inner Mexican.
The event was conceptualised by Vudu Surf’s, Robby McDonald and South Africa’s premier extreme sport MC, Captain Kai. The guys wanted to create an event that celebrated SA surfing history and also gave back to the local Llandudno community. Robby has one of the biggest Retro surfboard collections in the country and once a year, at the event, people can experience these rare surfboards for themselves.
The event also helps to raise funds for the Llandudno Lifesaving Club, as they supply all the Food, including veg options, and along with the Bar, helps raise money for the club to attend the SA National Champs. (So remember to bring your cash down as no ATM on the beach. Please remember no alcohol or glass on the beach.)
Remember, its not a competition but a celebration! Groms, ancient surf masters, girls and guys all surf together in 10 person heats that last 30 minutes. The MC’s, Ilan Sheer (Llandudno Local), Andrew “Roosta” Lange (Free surf Guru) and Captain Kai will keep the crowd entertained and informed. Retro tunes will play throughout the day with the Vinyl masters, Roasting Records and DJ Ike on the decks, while the Larter Bros, who have played at every #RollingRetro will play after the prize giving.
The main event of the day each year, is the “Pro Heat” with special guest surfers putting on a show, ably led by Roosta. This year we will have multiple #RollingRetro winner, Mike Grendon (SA Champ Longboarder) back in the water, along with multiple World Champion Longboarder, Mathew Moir, and big wave surfing legend, Chris Bertish. Local standouts, Jasper Eales, Josh Brodie and super grom, Luke Slijpen will be joining them for the last heat of the day. A few more surprises are definitely in store.
This year we once again celebrate our water brethren, with both Bodysurfing and Bodyboarder heats in the mix. Vudu Surf will supply custom made hand guns for the Bodysurfing entrants to use and the best Bodysurfer on the day will win one of these custom weapons. We are also looking for the best retro board, whether surf, bodyboard or Handgun, so make sure you bring your toys to the beach.
The #RollingRetro cannot happen without our sponsors. In 2016 the event is presented by
El Jimador Tequila, with main sponsors Vudu Surf, Corona and Red Bull. Our prize sponsors are Von Zipper, Hurricane Surf and Gul Wetsuits.
For the fist time ever the event has an online entry and you can go to www.rollingretro.co.za to book your heat. Bookings will only be final once the fee has been paid, all details on the website. (NB: All entrants must be at registration to confirm they are on site. No refunds will be made for non-attendance and if you are not checked in 30 minutes prior to your heat, your slot will be given to one of the alternates.)
Entry Fee: R150
(Registration starts at 8am at Llandudno Lifesaving Club. All entrants must register and sign the Indemnity Form.)
120 x Surfers
20 x Bodysurfers (Vudu Handguns will be available.)
10 x Bodyboarders (Retro Bodyboard required)
Heats are 30 minutes with 10 people in the water.
All entrants will receive an official event Vest and stand in line to win awesome prizes for:
Best Dressed (Male & Female – Retro/Baja themed)
Best Surfer – Guy
Best Surfer – Gal
Best Surfer – Grom
Best Bodysurfer
Best Bodyboarder
Best Private Retro Board
Instagram Award – Best Photo (Wins an El Jimador Agave Replica Surfboard)
Enter our Instagram Competition with El Jimador and Von Zipper. Simply post your favorite #RollingRetro moment from year’s past, or on the day of the event, Tag @vuduSurf @VonzipperSouthAfrica and use the Hashtags, #RollingRetro #ElJimadorSA #ElJimador and you could win this insane prize! (Winners announced at prize giving – get posting!)
Loads of give aways on the day, music and laughter!
NB: If conditions are not optimal on Saturday, 20 February, we will move the event to the backup date of Sunday, 28 February 2016. This call will be made by the afternoon of Wednesday, 17th February 2016.
I always appreciate a great video of the RVCA Rolling Retro day, as most times I am so busy on the day behind the scenes, on the mic and sneaking in my heat, that I miss a bunch of highlights. I am sure Robby, from Vudu Surf, feels the same way. It’s tough sometimes running the event. So when a video drops on my timeline like this, I get real stoked! The crew from We-are-Awesome, with Vans, captured our day perfectly. So sit back and watch a magical event on film and maybe like me you will get goosebumps thinking back on the best day of the year…
Llandudno, Cape Town – in a somewhat serendipitious twist of fate, the date set for the 2015 instalment of the RVCA Rolling Retro, is also the same day as the global Margarita Day. Continuing along the serendipity theme, the presenting sponsor of the RVCA Rolling Retro surf tournament is none other than El Jimador tequila.
The good people from El Jimador are also the people behind the Agave Surfboard project, initiated last year to great success. See the project video clip:
With so much happening on the 22 February, on what is bound to be a hot summer’s day, there’s also the possibility that there might be a few sneaky frozen margaritas on sale at the event. Remember that funds from the event go to the Llandudno Surf Life Saving Club.
The RVCA Rolling Retro surf event is presented by El Jimador, with Vans and Vudu Surf as supporting sponsors.
The first event of its type in the World, the Agave Surf Classic was a great day out at Blouberg Beach in Cape Town. Small waves did not put a damper on a great day, with everyone involved enjoying the surfboards made from the Agave Plant. Mikey February and Max Armstrong were surfing great, but it was Tarryn Chudleigh, taking one for the gals, who took home the win and one of the beautiful Agave surfboards. Big thanks to El Jimador for their support of surfing and a great event!
You all know how much I like alternate surf competitions and festivals. Thats why I started the Rolling Retro and finally I have another great surf project for you guys to come and enjoy, the Agave Surf Classic. el Jimador Tequila and Mahala first made a board from the Agave Plant, also used to make Tequila, with shaper, Ian Armstrong and carpenter, Jason Hayes. Once the board was made and everyone realised how well it surfed, the next logical step was to create an event where all surfers could come and experience these incredible natural surfboards.
el Jimador Tequila, in partnership with Zigzag and Mahala, will be hosting the very first Agave Surf Classic at Big Bay, Blouberg, Cape Town. The premium 100% agave tequila has teamed up with local artists Ian Armstrong, Jason Hayes and Stuart Moerdyk to produce five unique agave surfboards, which contestants will have the opportunity to ride and stand a chance to win. The event promises to be an action-packed day ending off with the after party at the local beach bar, Boardhouse. Join the Agave Surf Classic to witness brilliant talent, listen to amazing beats and enjoy el Jimador 100% Agave Tequila whilst soaking up the power of nature. Follow @AgaveSurfComp #AgaveSurfComp to stay in tune.
Date: 24 May 2014 (Backup day 31st may, in case of seriously bad weather.)
Entry: R100 (Includes an entry into the raffle for an Agave Board)
Registration: 9am Table View/Blouberg
