HISTORY

Two of the hot new generation of Aussie kids around ’95. Beau Day had one of the most tweaked inverts in the business until he tweaked it to far one session and screwed his back up big time. Ben Player was the name on everyones lips back then, hailed as the child prodigy , he went on to win two world titles and still going strong. Photo Stroh taken at Port MacQuarie.

Youngy was a controversial character at the best of times, but none so more than when he was featured singing along to the soundtrack of Rip the Pit. His singing part was heavily panned but Brett took it on the chin. He knew he could rip on the waves so he just ignored all the haters as his bank account bulged.Check out the clip that caused an uproar back in ’91. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjrnhkBHZvw&feature=player_embedded        This carving cutty shot of the late Youngy was snapped in Reunion Islands by Chris Stroh. 

This pic of Ben Player was taken in West Oz during a photo assignment for Quiksilver and Rush Magazine late 90′s. Back then Quiky had the dream team and were even producing Mez made Quiky bodyboards. Around the time this photo was snapped BP was just starting to make a name for himself and in the coming years would be a dominant force in the sport. Photo Stroh

Aaron Bagley during the 90′s was apart of the talented Seaside Reef dropknee crew which also featured Paul Roach and Raffi Myers. This photo taken at Beach Park in Hawaii by Chris Stroh early 90′s. Check out this clip featuring Aaron

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tfQ-tustSY

In the late 90′s South African born Andre Botha dominated at Pipe. Along with Stewart, Kainoa, Tamega and a handful of  others, Dre could be counted on to take off on the biggest , gnarliest and most deadly barrels that Pipe could muster up. Dre was fearless and it was this attitude and his rare ability that saw him become the youngest bodyboarder to win not one but two World Titles. Taming the beast photo below by Stroh late 90′s.

Standup bodyboarding today is almost non existent, apart from a few faithfuls the art is slowly dying. One of the best throughout the 90′s was Cavin Yap. Known for his standup aerials and all around shredding, Cavin was a regular at Off The Wall. Yap would blow everyone watching away with his power hacks and snaps. Inspired by Danny Kim and Chris Won , Cavin riding a special designed board just for standup and would out surf many of the Northshores hot standups even without a skeg. Pic below taken mid 90′s at OTW of Cavin by Chris Stroh.

Thorto was one of the competitive Port Mac crew which during the early 90′s also included Eppo, Toddy, Vicki and Pete Gleeson, The Murray Bros, Mason Rose and a young Kingy. The best sessions occurred when the whole crew were out at North Wall. With swells wedging off the breakwall , the side waves were perfect for bodyboading and pulling out the big moves. It was in these wedges that Eppo developed his gymnastic moves. On his day Thorto was as good as anyone of the regulars. This shot is of Simon hitting a clean reverse air was photographed around mid 90′s by Chris Stroh.

Early shot of Mike, check out the white gloves, photo by Chris Stroh late 80s.