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While the world’s attention was recently fixed on the powerful right-handers of Agadir, Morocco, for the opening event of the 2026 IBC World Tour, a parallel story was unfolding on the pristine sands of Voëlklip Beach in Hermanus. It was a story of global champion Tristan Roberts returning to his roots to spark a passion for the ocean in the next generation.
The Morocco Masterclass: Tristan Roberts’ Legacy
International spotlight shone brightly on South African bodyboarder Tristan Roberts, who recently claimed victory at the prestigious Morocco World Bodyboarding Championship. Roberts, hailing from the nearby suburb of Onrus in Hermanus, proved once again why he is considered one of the sport’s greatest talents.
The competition in Morocco was fierce, but Roberts delivered a masterclass performance, particularly in the semifinals where he secured a perfect 10-point ride with a massive air reverse in the final minute.
Reflecting on the sheer difficulty of winning at this level, Roberts remarked, “I’ve been watching events since I was a kid, but I never fully understood how hard it is to win one until experiencing it myself. It can look easy when you’re watching the best in the world do what they do, but there’s so much that goes into every result”.
Roberts has a long-term goal of winning five world championships.
Nurturing the Next Generation: The Voëlklip Clinic
On February 28, the spirit of Roberts’ journey was passed down to the next generation at Voëlklip Beach in Hermanus. The local community showed a massive interest in the sport, with the free clinic attracting around 100 participants, including young riders, adults, and supporters, hosted by Cape Winelands Bodyboarding.
The clinic was designed to introduce children to the sport in a safe, controlled environment, fostering a love for the ocean while teaching essential safety skills.
“The idea was behind doing these clinics is just to introduce kids in a safe environment to the ocean and to the sport and let them have fun, and they can kind of decide what they want to do with it from there,” Roberts explained. “But I’ll never forget my first wave and, all the excitement it brought me”.
Community and Ocean Stewardship
The community impact was profound, with organizers aiming to get children off their phones and into the outdoors. “The ocean is my life… it’s so important to get into the ocean and enjoy it,” Roberts added.
Cape Winelands’ Body Boarding Team Vice Chairman Ebert Hyman highlighted the thriving nature of ocean-based sports in the region.
“You just have to look at how many people attended today to see that it is really still very much, sort of, built around the ocean and ocean living”.
Safety was paramount, with experienced professionals overseeing the day.
“We have very experienced riders, professional riders, who circle the, the group of younger riders,” Eben noted.
With the 2026 IBC World Tour season just beginning, Roberts’ victory in Morocco sets the pace for what promises to be an exciting year. For the young riders at Voëlklip, watching a local hero conquer the world provides a tangible dream to chase—a testament to the vibrant future of bodyboarding in Southern Africa.
