HISTORY

Classic all Mike Stewart clip from the movie Fire producer Scotty Carter.

When the Northshore was closing out car loads of bodyboarders would head to the otherside of the Island of Oahu to take advantage of the numerous short and intense reefs and shories ideal for getting barrelled. Photos taken at spots like I Don’t Knows, Third Dips and Pray For Sex became regular features in Bodyboard Magazine in the 80′s. This shot shows some a Westside potential. Photo Stroh

It was Keith Sasaki who first used a wrist rope to help power his dropknee turns. Keith would tug on his  rope during a move to get a full carving turn and effectively throw buckets of spray. It helped make his manoeuvres appear more radical. Photo Brian Bielmann 1990.

With the rise of bodyboard only stores around the world in the late 90′s it opened up the way for companies to create more pro mo tours for team riders to promote their products. Throughout the 90′s it was a golden age for groms to meet their idols , score autographs and free product. Tours by Americans Mike Stewart, Morey, No Friends, BZ , Roach and Toobs to name just a few drew big crowds in Australia as they toured up and down the coast. Below the Custom X team from the US drops into Emerald at Cronulla for a pro mo.

In the early 2000s  Jay Reale organised a tour of the North Island of New Zealand mainly because he wanted more than anything to surf Raglan. It was only the 2nd time a group of travelling Pro Bodyboarders sampled the Kiwi hospitality of long point waves and freezing spanner water. Jay got his wish .Checking out a Geyser from left Jacob Reeves (just back from his honeymoon) Jay, Eppo the prankster, Nelz (not happy with the cold) and Vicki  Gleeson  photo Stroh

 

When bodyboarding went viral in Australia in the mid 80′s , the young Cronulla bodyboarders had a clear advantage over everyone else in the land of Oz by concentrating on their  big wave skills. With waves like Shark Island , The Point and Voodoo in their backyard they adapted to powerful waves early in their careers and made a huge impact on sport both locally and internationally. Below Brett Young lines up a heavy drop at Cronulla Point around ’88.Photo Chris Stroh.

From the Northern beaches Trent grew up bodyboarding with the Player Bros and the rest of the highly competitive Avalon crew in the late 90′s. A few years back Trent picked up a camera and began chipping out a career for himself behind the camera lens. He is now known world wide for his unique  arty light and empty wave textured images. Trent is giving other highly respected photographers like Johnny Frank who produce similar work a good nudge in the art stakes.  He’s just completed his first book to rave reviews.

 

South Coast bodyboarder Nigel Bollack was one of The Kiama Wedge crew in the 90′s.  Karl Fjelsted a local pioneer bodyboarder was instrumental in inspiring a group of young kids and with The Wedge ramps perfectly suited for bodyboarding  the area quickly became a hot-spot of talent. Riders like Rat, Egg and Nigel began making an impact on the amateur contest scene. Nigel made a name for himself as well by being one of the first bodyboarders to surf and work on the Zambezi river rapids in South Africa. Below Nigel a damn good dropkneer gets air at The Wedge. Photo Stroh mid 90′s.

 

Easter 1990 and Port MacQuarie’s finest check out the waves at Point Plummer. Left to right Adam and Ash Murray, Vicki Gleeson and Eppo. photo Stroh

2012 Pipeline Challenge saw a Legend heat run before the final. Pictured below are from right to left Lanson Ronquilio, Alex Kinimaka, Brian Wise, Pat Caldwell, Adad Wingnut Smith, Hauoli Reeves and Harry Antipala photo Trouville