HISTORY

Dave Shaw was one of the first Aussie riders to get his hands on a Boogie board in the late 70′s. Prior to that Dave was a talented Mat rider who charged large Cronulla Point and was a rising star behind the camera lens who documented the first bodyboard images in Australia. Dave shot the first Morey Boogie ad used in Australia he also represented Oz at the 1984 Morey Boogie International titles in Hawaii. He wrote the first article in Australia in TRACKS on Bodyboarding as well as a monthly column in Waves mag. Daves contribution in promoting the sport in the early days is unsurpassed and without his dedication and his water photography skills the sport would have struggled to get any real exposure. Below Dave in his Mat days mid 70′s.

Collectors item, a Morey frisbee was given to every competitor at the 93 Pipe Comp.

Moniz was one of  Hawaii’s underground performers throughout the 90′s. Stan was a regular on the Backdoor to Off The Wall strip throughout the winter months. Riding both Dropknee and prone , Stan was a favourite with the cameramen with his clean lines and go for it style. Below Stan the man at OTW pic Stroh Circa late 90′s.

One of the Eastern suburbs  crew in the 90′s Cory was a regular top performer on the Aussie tour. He was a standout at Tamarama and K Bay as well as many his trips south to secret reefs. These days Cory is best known for his regular TV appearances on Bondi Rescue were he  features as a lifeguard saving lives.  Cory gouge photo Stroh late 90′s.

The brothers Hulme  were bodysurfers and Mat riders in the ’70s at Cronulla Point and Cabbage Patch when the Morey Boogie board first arrived in Australia. They soon switched to the harder more maneuverable boogie board and in the process  became some of the sports first pioneers in Australia. They were also part of the first Ozzie crew to hit the Northshore in Hawaii. Both Pete and Derek next became involved in the behind the scenes organising, running and judging contests from the earliest days. What Bob Thomas was to Hawai, Peter and Derek were the same in Australia. The pair have been tireless behind the scenes workers involved with the GOB and later the IBA tours. For years Derek was head judge of the tour.The brothers can still be seen catching the occasional wave at The Patch. Pic below of Derek still on the job at the Brett Young Trials in 2010 giving Hardy and Brad Hughes the lowdown pic Stroh

When a young Brazillian named Daniel Rocha appeared on the bodyboard scene in the 90′s he earnt the knickname Peanut. Peanut was soon hailed as a Supergrom as he ripped for a kid his age and he was also being schooled by Tamega who took him under his wing. Daniel was  hailed as a future World Champ. After years following the Pro Tour he didnt take the number 1 spot but his record was up there. One of his finest results was in ’98 when he placed 3rd at Pipe. This shot of Peanut was taken in ’96 in Reuniun Island by Stroh.

Earlier Aussie advertisement for Morey Boogie in Tracks 1982

Dean Seppings from Durban South Africa was part of Morey’s stong worldwide team in the mid 90′s. Along with Alistair Taylor, The Cockwell Bros and  Neal Stephenson the South Africans let the bodyboard world they meant buisness. In Hawaii Dean was a standout with his stylish turns. He was only of little stature but at size-able Pipe he was fearless. This shot of Dean below was taken in West Oz around ’97 when Dean was out touring and free-surfing. Pic Stroh

When Eppo won the world title in ’93 bodyboarding was in the boom days of the sport. Eppo scored a sweet deal with Old El Passo to promote there Mexican products. Here’s the lad on the cover in supermarkets all around Australia. photos Stroh

Rollins Wood was best known for his powerful backside dropknee moves. Covered in tats years before they became a trend, Rollins was a standout in Hawaii. He stared in the Fumanchu and Untouchables videos and was a member of the Custom X team along with Robbie Crawford and Fred Booth. One of the most powerful drop riders ever. Rollins at Insanities Photo Stroh