HISTORY

One of the very first boogie boards, this board was acquired personally from Tom Morey in 1972 by Rus Calisch, who was then the advertising director for International Surfing Magazine. It even predates the Morey Boogie name, which was trademarked in 1973. The board measures about 47″ long, 25″ wide, 2.25″ thick, and 3.75 lbs. Early boards like this allowed the rider to feel the wave through the board much more than with today’s stiffer, improved bodyboards. Photos courtesy of Rus Calisch.Check out this board and others on the new website dedicated to Vintage bodyboards at   http://www.vintagebodyboards.com/brand.asp

From left to right…Pat Caldwell, JP Patterson, Keith Sasaki, Mike Stewart, Ben Severson and Jack” The Ripper” Lindholm Northshore 1983 from the pages of BIM.

When this unusual shot was snapped back in the early 2000′s young rippers Mitch Hall, Johno Bruce, Mitch Rawlins and  Nelson Ross were the future stars of Aussie and World bodyboarding. These kids looked certain to be the next generation monopolising the pro tour circuit and possible future world champion contenders. A decade later surprisingly out of the four only Mitch Rawlins has made a major impact  in the sport. Hall and Nelson lost interest while Johno formed a band.Photo MC.

From West Oz ,Chad first began making a name for himself through Chris White’s Tension videos in the late 90′s. Since those days of madness and slapstick humour Chad has stepped up to another level. The West Oz prankster began charging some of the most mutant and life threatening outer reefs on this planet. Scoring some of the biggest waves ever ridden by  bodyboarders. The pic below taken at Pipe in early 2000′s caught Chad mid flight a second or two before he copped a brutal pounding resulting in a stuffed back and months of recuperation.Photo Stroh

In the early 90′s Changa from Newcastle a tough working class area on the mid north coast of NSW was one of the best and most fiercest competitors in the ametuer ranks. Aaron was a regular finalist around this time  placing highly in local pro ams and State Titles.He was also highly competitive in the Newcastle Bodyboard Club which attracted the best talent around the beaches of Merewether.

When bodyboarders ventured out  and began charging at Shark Island in the 80′s it really gave the sport in Australia some real credibility. Chaz McCall was first and others were soon to follow like this nameless daredevil taking a serious freefall that he made. The wave was prone heaven . Photo Chris Stroh 80′s.

One of the original bodyboard crew from Newcastle Karl Gol founded and was first president of the Merewether Bodyboarding Club which later became the Newcastle Bodyboarding Assoc.  The crew Karl was part of included Aaron Changa Mathews, Robert Adamthwaite, Ben Harland, Jason Power,Simon Ramsay, Craig Hadden and DK legend Roberto Barbiero. He competed mainly against guys like Bullet, Chopper, PJ Hyland, Doug Robson,Brett Young, then up-and-comers (young) Eppo and Tim Jones, Ross Hawke, Dave Appelby and Wayne Smith. He was sponsored by Morey Boogie, Churchills and Sportskins wetsuits. In 1985 he won the NSW state U18 and 1986 Australian U18 titles both at Dee Why and was unlucky not to win the 1987 Open title at Natios (defeated by Ross Hawke at Tamarama). Karl was in the first ever pro-am at Cronulla Pt in 84 bodyboarding in the first heat and winning against Hawaiian legend Daniel Kaimi. Karl started judging with Craig Hadden (who was then in 1994 and to this day is still Aust and international Judging coordinator) and continue to this day as a high level IBA judge, heat judge and IBA Judging educator. He developed in 1998 the IBA Level 1 Bodyboarding Judging Certificate course. Karl wrote the IBA International Rule Book in 2010 and is in the process of developing the IBA International Level 2 judging course.  President of NSWBB in 2006 and h been president of BAT (Bodyboarding Association of TAS) since moving to Tasmania in 2007.  He still compete in the Nationals (placing 2nd in Masters in 2011 to Brendan “Barney” Ryan from Cronulla . Karl won the Masters in 2006 and 2008, placed 4th in 2007 against Eppo,The Terminator and Jason Spence).  Voted best judge at 2011 Nationals. Karl lives  in South Arm Tasmania and still bodyboard whenever Ihe can.

 

Newport Wedge standout, Matt Allen sporting dreadlocks early 90′s

Alan Horne was the first local in South Australia to take up serious bodyboarding. The year was 1980 and the old man of the sea was 27 years old. He went on to pioneer the sport and was a huge inspiration for the young crew when the sport became more popular in the 90′s. This shot captured Allen charging solid waves on the Southern Coastline . Photo Holliday.

Eppos first trip to the Northshore of Hawaii in ’92 resulted in this huge air at Backdoor. It was the start of his growing reputation for busting out big. Pic by Joli.