HISTORY

Kauai bodyboarder Kelly Hunt scores one of the best tubes of the first Tahiti Challenge held at Chopes in 2000. It was an epic day and contest and a real showcase for the sport. The waves were ridiculous and at times bordering on suicidal. Cover of French Mag Spinair.

Mike Stewart and Keith Sasaki competing in Rio De Janairo in 1988 photo by Fernando Martin

Tamega performances at Pipeline  in Hawaii in the 90′s were mind blowing. He went from pure death wish closeout lip launches to precision barrel riding. He was so competitive he did  what ever it took to win the crown. Tamega like all champions dealing with the media during a Pipe campaign.

 

 

 

In the 80′s and early 90′s Maroubra’s Ross Hawke was the gun competitor winning all the  local  comps in Australia. This one was he was victorious in WA . Photo Stroh

 

This Morey Boogie advertisement featured images from Australia’s first pro competition.On the 28^th Nov ’82 surfing promoter Michael Petri organised the first official Australian Boogie Board Title. Held in marginal conditions at Dee Why 20 yearold Evan Penglis defeated ex surfing champion Mark Warren from Narrabeen on a countback. Queenslands Julie Rowbotham won the Womens division from Victorias Christine Okeefe. Not only were the pair crowned National Champions but first prize included invites to the inaugural World Titles in Hawaii in a months time. It also introduced the new Mach 7-7 model.

 

Big Kai competing at Pipe in the mid 90′s.  Hawaii born and bred, Kainoa was one of Stewart’s biggest rivals for many years and he was able to utilise his prone and Dropknee skills depending on conditions. One of the most feared competitors in the 80′s and 90′s Photo Stroh

Heres  the cream of Aussie women bodyboarding competing in Australia around the late 90′s. At the time womens bodyboarding was taking off and improving in leaps and bounds. Included  below is Vicki, Kira, Francine, Emma , Lauren , Lily and the rest of the ladies at a comp at Wollongong. Photo Stroh

The first Shark Island Challenge held in June 97 was a groundbreaking event in Australian bodyboarding. Shark Island has long been regarded as the epicentre of the sport in Oz. The event organised by locals Mark Fordham and Nathan Purcell  brought together the best riders in one of the most high performance and  feared waves in the country. In the past most bodyboard comps were held in substandard  beach break conditions , the SIC was a breath of fresh air and well received by the top  riders. The event was won by Matt Percy just defeating Steve Mackenzie in 1 .5 metre clean offshore waves.

Below Some of the action taken from the judges boat in the channel..from left to right…1. Wazza 2.Unkown 3 & 4 Dave Ballard 5.Toby, 6. Andrew Lester.