HISTORY

Brett Young at one of his favourite reefs around Cronulla photo Stroh late 80′s.

The Terminator was Narrabeen’s most famous bodyboarder Dave was  the driving force behind Quiksilver bodyboards. This shot taken around ’88 by Stroh

Cronulla on the Southern side of Sydney City has long been the hub of bodyboarding activity in Australia. Home to Shark Island, Suckrock, Voodoo and now Pikers Hole its a virtual wave paradise when the swell and wind co operate which can be frustrating as its not every day. The area has produced plenty of talent, names like Chaz McCall, Doug Robson, Wazza, Dave Ballard, Rissole, Brett Young, Wingnut, Matt Percy, Nugget and Andrew Lester are just some of the riders who have played an important role in Aussie bodyboarding. Pictured below is Cronulla standout John Showell who throughout the 2000 decade was the Nulla kid to watch and one of the best Island riders ever. Johnny launch Photo Stroh

 

Chris Burkhart is your typical Hawaiian, a big smile and full of Aloha. Coming from Kauai The Garden Island Burkes soon earned a reputation as a formidable competitor who could mix it up in both big and small waves. As part of The Kauai Classic Team he trained and hanged out with Maligs and Harry. Burkes made a solid impact into the pro ranks and was a regular finalist winning his share of events. For a big boy Burkes was extremely flexible and never let his size become a drawback. Below scooping off the bottom at Pipe as always Bruddah Burkes making his presence felt. Photo Stroh mid 90′s

This snap of Ryan “Hardballs” Hardy was taken in ’98 at a then secret spot on the Central  Coast. To keep it low key Tim Jones the photographer ran the shot in reverse in this Billabong adv.

 

Also known as The Pulsinator a name he was labelled with by the Cronulla boys when he moved to Sydney Aus  from Hawaii. Sean was one of the standout bodyboarders at Sandy’s Beach throughout the 80′s. This pic of Sean was taken at Pipe by Don King Circa late 80′s.

 

When the No Friends crew finished their latest movie offering they were working on they followed up with a premier video tour. It was like the circus has come to town as kids came out in droves to see it. Pro’s mixed with grommets and it was the highlight of the year. This poster was for Multiple Choice during the Australian premiers early 2000s.

Salt Creek regular Kevin Baker scored the cover of Bodyboarding Mag Feb/March 1990 pic by Hank.

Hauoli and Mike Stewart came to Oz around 1990 and while doing promotions for their sponsors they managed to slip in a few sessions like this day at Blackrock better known as Aussie Pipe. The Hawaiian pair lucked into a memorable session of hollow tubes and the photo below captured Mr Reeves heading home after a hard day at the office photo Stroh

Avoca’s Tim Jones was the best known Central Coast bodyboarder in the late 80′s and early 90′s long  before he became infamous for his Waimea charging. Jonesy was competing on the amateur and pro comps including Pipe  and doing okay until an incident one day at Manly when he was banned from competing  for causing a bit of party mayhem the night before his heat.. TJ had more sponsors and stickers than any other Aussie at the time, carve shot by Stroh