HISTORY

When Waimea broke the South Africans were some of the first to hit it in the late 90′s. One of them was a young snowy headed kid with a mouthful of braces. Andre Botha was his name and in the coming years he would establish himself as the youngest ever dual World Champion. Photo Stroh.

Complete with skegs. Circa 80′s.

 

From 1982-1993 the winner of the International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships at Pipeline was considered The World Champion. Since then The World Tour has determined the Champion and has undergone a few changes in names and regulations.

World Champions
Year	Competition	Winner	Country
1982	International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships	Daniel Kaimi	Hawaii
1983	International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships	Mike Stewart	Hawaii
1984	International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships	Mike Stewart	Hawaii
1985	Not held
1986	International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships	Ben Severson	Hawaii
1987	International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships	Mike Stewart	Hawaii
1988	International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships	Mike Stewart	Hawaii
1989	International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships	Mike Stewart	Hawaii
1990	International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships	Mike Stewart	Hawaii
1991	International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships	Mike Stewart	Hawaii
1992	International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships	Mike Stewart	Hawaii
1993	International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships	Michael Eppelstun	Australia
1994	International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships	Guilherme Tamega	Brazil
1995	Global Organization of Bodyboarders World Tour	Guilherme Tamega	Brazil
1996	Global Organization of Bodyboarders World Tour	Guilherme Tamega	Brazil
1997	Global Organization of Bodyboarders World Tour	Guilherme Tamega	Brazil
1998	Global Organization of Bodyboarders World Tour	Andre Botha	South Africa
1999	Global Organization of Bodyboarders World Tour	Andre Botha	South Africa
2001	Global Organization of Bodyboarders World Tour	Guilherme Tamega	Brazil
2002	Global Organization of Bodyboarders World Tour	Guilherme Tamega	Brazil
2003	International Bodyboarding Association Tour	Damian King	Australia
2004	International Bodyboarding Association Tour	Damian King	Australia
2005	International Bodyboarding Association Tour	Ben Player	Australia
2006	International Bodyboarding Association Tour	Jeff Hubbard	Hawaii
2007	International Bodyboarding Association Tour	Ben Player	Australia
2008	International Bodyboarding Association Tour	Uri Valadao	Brazil
2009	International Bodyboarding Association Tour	Jeff Hubbard	Hawaii
2010	International Bodyboarding Association Tour	Amaury Laverne	Reunion Island

2011

International Bodyboarding Association Tour

Pierre Louis Costes

France

Throughout his career Lester has been described as one of the most feared competitors in the sport of bodyboarding. He is the best bodyboarder to never win a world title, an event that has eluded him so far but after a few years off from competing he is now back hungrier than ever and even more determined. Ask most pro riders who they fear most competing against and nice guy Lesters name is usually at the top of the list. This photo taken back in early 2000 at Andrews favourite reef hideout Suckrock. Photo Stroh

Kingy grew up in Port Macquarie in waves that suited both prone and dropknee conditions. The area has produced plenty of  hot riders like the Murray Brothers, Toddy DeGraaf ,Rick Bannister, Mason Rose and Kingy who excelled at both mediums. Kingy proved his point winning the 2011 DK World Tour Title. This photo was taken at Backdoor on the Northshore early 2000′s

From the Northern beaches Trent grew up bodyboarding with the Player Bros and the rest of the highly competitive Avalon crew in the late 90′s. A few years back Trent picked up a camera and began chipping out a career for himself behind the camera lens. He is now known world wide for his unique  arty light and empty wave textured images. Trent is giving other highly respected photographers like Johnny Frank who produce similar work a good nudge in the art stakes.  He’s just completed his first book to rave reviews.

 

The story behind his shaved head occured while staying on the North Shore around early 2000′s. Matt like the rest of the young Aussie bodyboarders was living the pro bodyboarder life. That is living on survival rations. Like a bag of potatoes, rice and not much else. Well this day Matt decided he needed a haircut but had no money to waste on a hair dresser so he got one of the guys living with him to give it the chop. When it was finished it looked like he had been run over with a lawn mower it was that sketchy. Matt resorted to going fully nude nut bald to save face. This shot getting funky at OTW. Words and photo Stroh

 

Eddie Solomon was one of California’s big wave chargers throughout the late 90′s up until his recent untimely death. Eddie was a classic character. I never understood a word he was saying as he would talk at a hundred miles an hour, just like how he lived. Eddie was always looking for that special buzz and he found it out at Waimea Shorey. Sadly missed but not forgotten.Words and photo Stroh

 Tony Sykes was one of the true pioneers of Aussie bodyboarding and was there back in the real early days. Tony  bought his first Morey in Jan 76 as a kit board for $45 and was one of the only bodyboarders surfing in the Tamarama/Bondi area for a couple of years. When comps started in 82 he came 2nd at the first one ever, the “Winter Classic” at Queenscliff. Tony surfed and represented Australia with Evan Penglis & Mark Sutton at the 3rd Morey at Pipe in 84 where the frame grab below was taken during the comp.

 

1987 Morey Boogie Mach 20 RS Bodyboard. Comes with adjustable fins that can be moved in and out.