HISTORY

Chaz McCall was the  first bodyboarder to really charge Shark Island in the late 70′s. By the mid 80′s Dougy became his apprentice and soon followed the same path by taking waves that the surfers could not ride all handle. Where Chaz was pure go for it , Dougy took it a step further and began making the waves his main goal. Before long he was one Australias first bodyboarding media stars as photos of his tube riding skills and “Doug airs” began appearing around the globe. Unfortunately he was cut down in his prime when he broke his back in a wipeout and was forced to retire prematurely . Dougy enjoys the view  in the early 90′s photo Stroh

Adam Smith began bodyboarding at a very young age , by the time he was 10 years old he already had a name in the sport. Wingy was the first bodyboarder to be sponsored by Manta and by the time he was 12 he was already a regular in the Shark Island lineup where in the coming years he would earn his place at the top of the pack as one of the best of the all time Island crew. Below Wingut shows where he got his nickname photo Stroh ’89.

 

Some say that as a grommet Bal showed all the signs as a future prospect  in standup surfing. Once the bodyboard bug bit he traded in his surfboard and quickly made a name for himself as the king of Aussie Dropknee throughout the 90′s. Below Dave dissects a wave at The Wall at Cronulla around ’89 photo Stroh.

In the late 80′s Dougy Robson was the name on everyones lips in Australia. He was charging Shark Island and winning all the local comps. Photo Stroh

Shot of Mike Stewart surfing Guilotines in the late 80′s while he was touring and competing in Oz. Riding for Gotcha  on his blue turbo  he was at his stylish best. Unfortunately we had to cut the photo session short to get Mike to a shop promo. Photo Chris Stroh

When Mike first unleashed his huge forward air at Pipe it was the craziest move the sport of Bodyboarding had ever witnessed. Mike was so far ahead of other riders at that time he was virtually untouchable. Big forward airs are now part of most top professionals repertoire but even today few look as natural or as eye pleasing as when Mike busts one out. Photo Stroh.

When Mitch first rocked up to Hawaii as a young grom in the late 90′s no one expected to much. Back home in Oz his reputation was growing but on the Northshore he was a virtual unknown.Rawlins put his head down and went about creating a name for himself on his Manta bodyboard and  Blade fins. His free surfing soon had tongues wagging that Australia had another Super grom coming up the ranks. This shot was taken by Chris Stroh at Off The Wall during that first trip. 

Maligs was one of the most flamboyant and unpredictable bodyboarders in the sport throughout the late 80′s and 90′s. At Off The Wall he would always  standout doing the weirdest and most cutting edge moves. On the beach he was a walking side show as well with his coloured hair and bright apparel. You never knew what he was going to do next.

When Waimea broke the South Africans were some of the first to hit it in the late 90′s. One of them was a young snowy headed kid with a mouthful of braces. Andre Botha was his name and in the coming years he would establish himself as the youngest ever dual World Champion. Photo Stroh.

Throughout his career Lester has been described as one of the most feared competitors in the sport of bodyboarding. He is the best bodyboarder to never win a world title, an event that has eluded him so far but after a few years off from competing he is now back hungrier than ever and even more determined. Ask most pro riders who they fear most competing against and nice guy Lesters name is usually at the top of the list. This photo taken back in early 2000 at Andrews favourite reef hideout Suckrock. Photo Stroh