HISTORY

French bodyboarder David Legley taken far too soon along with Matt Walbrou who were tragically killed in a car accident while heading to a contest.

Here’s Jonsey trying to kill himself  out at Waimea Shorey a session that earned the Terrigal bodyboarder worldwide coverage. Pic Hoover.

Charger was the first bodyboader to push the boundaries at The Box and other heavy wave locations in West Oz. Gene is the older brother of Ryan and it was the Charger who pushed Rhino in the early days. Box wave photo that appereared in Aussie Bodyboarder Mag by Morris.

Before bodyboards there were Surf-O-Planes at every city beach in Aus. When the surfmat then Boogie appeared they disappeared. Heres a pic of some early 60′s kids having fun.

In 1985 Wayne Smith from Lismore stunned the small but growing Aussie bodyboard scene when he won the Open Aussie Title, the most prestigous event  in Oz at that time. Wayne was sponsored by Turbo at the time  spent the majority of his surf time riding at  his favourite break at South Wall near Ballina.Here is  Wayne being interviewed in Tracks in ’85.

Suckrock was one of the first hardcore bodyboard waves adopted by bodyboarders in Oz. Situated near Cronulla in Sydney Aus. It became a play ground for the sports rising stars in the late 80′s. Riders like Doug Robson, Evan Penglis, Dave Shaw, Mark Sorrenson,Ross Hawke, Bret Young and Macca sharpened their tube riding and arial skills on this short but intense reef barrel. This pic shot around ’88 shows Maroubra’s Bob Bell on a small fun day. Pic Stroh

One of California’s hottest prone riders of the mid to late 90′s. This pic captured Tim pulling in at one of his fav spots The Wedge at Newport Beach where he shined above the pack with his go for it no bars charging . Advertisement for Vipers and Tools bodyboards.

Crispin Hughes has always been a bit of a mystery man. Coming from Avalon on Sydneys Northern Beaches throughout the 90′s the Dropknee maestro  earned a reputation as a bit of a soul surfer. Never one to chase the points and glory Crispin still had the knack to turn up in the right place at the right time. His collaborations with photographer Scott Aichner resulted in some classic pictures. Today Crispin now one of the elder statesman is still tearing it apart. This shot taken at one of his favourite hangouts, Lil Avalon.

Christian Ricco alias Rissole has long  been one of the local standouts at Shark Island. As a member of the Cronulla Skid Kids he became well known in the early 90′s for his fearless riding. A feat that earned him a Shark Island Challenge victory in ’99.Today along with Dave Ballard, Rissole continues to leadthe pack usually scoring the best set waves every time the Island stirs. Photo Stroh

Below is a pic of Jeremy Olsen throwing a peace sign along with the Kauai boys Harry Antipala, Chris Tennenberg and Kyle Maligro. Jeremy had the prestige as the only outsider allowed to join the Kauai Classic team. Hailing from California and a born again Christian many remember Jeremy’s wild roll attempt at the ’94 Pipe comp  held in maxing monster swells. He got annihilated.