HISTORY

French bodyboard star Thomas Richards scores the cover of Spin Air 1999.

Warren Wazza Finebeer was fearless when it came to surfing Shark Island during his prime. Wazza took on any wave that came his way including closeouts and lefts off Surge. Unfortunately his number came up on one particular nasty wipeout in the late 90′s and his back was crushed when he was bounced off the bottom. The injury kept him out of the water for a while but Wazza was back riding again before long but this time a lot more cautious and selective than his early devil may care antics. Wazza going left at The Island in his trademark canoe helmet. Photo Stroh.

Tim Jones a former pro bodyboarder switched to shooting water photos after his career as a bodyboarder began to wane in the late 90′s. Jonsey was not afraid to get deeply involved with his subjects as he was used to putting himself into the heaviest parts of the impact zone. In the space of 1 year he was right up there with the best waterman and his photos became in demand. On this day Nugget lined up with Jonsey to get a deep fish eye angle at Shark Island. At the time it was pretty ground breaking and a gutsy effort to see a photographer getting so deep at the notoriously heavy reef . Photo CSP

Local boy, born and raised in Hawaii,Dean has lived here all his life . His whole life revolves around the Ocean, a Former Professional Bodyboarder, Deans highest Ranking, Amateur 1st in the Nation 85, Professional 2nd in the World ’88. Master Bodyboard Craftsman – 27 years experience. Pioneered the invention of the Rescue Sled (oversize Bodyboard attached to a jet-ski) used in High-Surf Rescues and Big Wave Surfing.

Aussie stylemaster from Monavale on Sydneys Northern Beaches Matt Chopper Riley scores the cover of French magazine Bodyrider. The sport is now global.

Beau Day partying like it was 1999 from leekelly.tv on Vimeo.

Around 1990 Shark Island was a melting pot of high energy bodyboarding. On any given swell there was a hand-full of young riders who were pushing one another to go deeper and deeper. Names like Doug Robson, Youngy, Nugget, Dave Ballard and Wazza were redefining one of the worlds heaviest slabs that was purely suited to bodyboarding. Among this gifted crew was also Matt Percy in the pic below. Perce was the Black Knight of the sport in Oz  who started a movement to avoid competions held in crappy beach breaks. Photo Stroh Circa 90′s.

Intro clip from Chris Stroh’s 16 Chambers video Circa 90′s.

Before Whitey became notorious for his Tension videos the Perth bodyboarder was building a name for himself as one of the best freesurfers in the West in the late 90′s. The Margaret River area and  especially The Box in W.A. is were he excelled most.This shot Chris launches at The Box one of his fav. waves.

 

Slug was an extremely competitive bodyboarder from Monavale on the Northern beaches and was one of the areas most successful bodyboarders in the 80′as and 90′s. This shot of Slug was at Backdoor late 90′s by Stroh.