HISTORY

Charger, pioneer and innovator Pat Caldwell throughout his career was never far from the spotlight.

DB began bodyboarding at Sandy’s Beach in the 70′s when the first kit boards arrived. An ex sailor with an interest in photography DB got hold of a early video camera and began shooting the antics of the first hardcore  bodyboarders in the mid to late 80′s. His footage was used almost exclusively in Tom Boyles early vids.DB  became a regular sight on the Northshore who with his Santa Claus beard and a posse of bikini clad girls around him made him hard to miss. DB has shot plenty of bodyboarding footage over the decades, more than anyone else.

Hauoli was a standout both on the land and out in the lineup ,the Hawaiian star was one of the sports first true outrageous characters. From big lip launches to party animal there has never been another quite like him. The Morey Mach VF  model was one of Rude Boys regular quiver boards. Pic by Brian Bielman

This cover sequence documented the Day that Tim Jones gained worldwide coverage for bodyboarding. It was Jan ’93 when  he paddled out early and charged The Shorey on his own for around 30 minutes before anyone else ventured out. He took the drop into several impossible freefall cathedral sized tubes and it was all captured on film by a multitude of cameras. This was pre -tow in and at the time it was one of the gutsiest big wave performances ever seen. Tim Jones  became overnight one of the most recognised names in bodyboarding. Seq was by Russell Hoover.

Tyson Williams came from Manly Beach which is not regarded as a great bodyboard wave. For Tyson it was not a handicap as he soon proved he could handle all kinds of wave power. Tyson was a high profile bodyboarder throughout the mid to late 90′s riding for Morey and Rip Curl and he  gained Australia wide exposure when his image appeared on Milo cans. Tyson was a fierce competitor who excelled on the Pro and Aussie Tour. Pic below was taken at Backdoor around ’98 by Stroh.

Spinair magazine featured Kelly Hunt on the cover from the  Tahiti Skins  2000 event. Epic contest and Kelly from Kauai’i scored below one of the best pits of the event.

Late 90′s advertisement from Challenger featuring dropknee team riders Cameron Nelson  and Kawika Drummond. Two of the best around this time.

Kyle Maligro’s clothing brand Stardumb adv. Thats Kyle as a grom Circa late 90′s.

Two American classics Pit Magazine and Paul Roach Circa late 90′s.

Pat Caldwell taking the elevator drop at The Wedge for Wave Rebel.