HISTORY

Heres a look at the grassroots Bodyboard scene in ’83 in Australia.

Mike styling in his wetty shorts getting ready for his heat at Cronulla around ’89 at Elouera Beach. Photo Stroh

Uncle Kai’s Contest win at Maroubra Beach early 90s . Featuring his Kainoa McGee signature model with Wave Rebel.Winners are Grinners. Pic Stroh

This pic below features Brazils hottest bodyboarder throughout the 80′s Alex De Pontes defeating the legendary Mike Stewart who was almost unbeatable around this era in France. Alex was the first Brazillian to achieve such a goal.

Brian Press, 1st Pro BodyBoarding Win at Oceanside clip. Californian Brian Press renown for his small wave competitiveness and moves beats bodyboardings best in this Bud Tour Event.

1986, January 12^th : $12,500 Morey Boogie International Professional Championships – Banzai

 Ben Severson  aged 21 edged out favourite Mike Stewart to win the World Title and $4000.00 for first place. 35 riders from 6 countries competed in 4 to 6ft storm surf. International riders included Brazils Claudio Marques who finished 10^th  while Aussie Evan Penglis placed 11^th. Hawaiians again dominated the finals. Sevos strategy was to out paddle Stewart for every ride he could as conditions were less than perfect with onshore and cloudy stormy Pipe. Around 3000 spectators watched from the beach.Pic below the finalists.From left to right Jack Lindholm,Stewart, Sasaki, JP, Pat Caldwell and Sevo.
1. Ben Severson        Hawaii                  $4,000
2. Mike Stewart        Hawaii                   $2,500
3. Pat Caldwell        Hawaii                   $1,700
4. Keith Sasaki        Hawaii                    $1,100
5. JP Patterson        Hawaii                     $800
6. Jack Lindholm        Hawaii                  $600
7. Daniel Kaimi        Hawaii                    $500
8. Ron McAdams                                  $400

Check out this bit of memorabilia. A Morey Pro Tour 96 Series T Shirt. Brand new, never been worn and covered in autographs on the front side. Names like Wingnut, Tamega, Ben and Toby, Eppo, Kingy, Vicki Gleeson, Maligs, Brian Press, Tyson Williams, Toddy DeGraaf, Skipp, Barney and more have left their signatures. From the  Bodyboarding Museum Collection.

Its November ’82 when Evan Penglis and Julie Rowbotham blitzed their divisions to win the first official Australian titles and a ticket to Hawaii. Julie described in the article as a attractive Kiwi beat a determined Christine O’Keefe from Victoria in messy 1.5 metre conditions at Dee Why while Evan beat standup surfing champion Mark Warren for top honors and a place in the first World Title Championships at Pipe.The article was written by Mark Sutton.

     Queensland bodyboard legend Julie Rowbotham sent us this poster from the Pacific Bodyboarding Classic at Duranbah in 1986. Julie dominated the girl comps in the early days of the sport then turned her hand to organising and running events on the Gold Coast as well as forming Queenslands first club. The Classic attracted the USA Pros like Mike Stewart, Pat Caldwell, Tom Boyle and Ben Severson during there first Aussie trip as well as the best Aussie riders. Sevo won it.