HISTORY

Jack The Ripper Lindolm on the cover of Bodyrider Mag from France early 90′s. Backside boogie.

Dean originally came from inland Conneticut in USA and never surfed until the family moved to Australia. They set up home at Cronulla and before long Dean took up bodyboarding and became  part of the local Shark Island crew hanging out with Doug Robson and Bret Young. He learnt fast and was soon pulling into the heaviest pits with his friends. At the Cronulla Point Classic held in the late 80′s he impressed many with his go for it charging and placed well against many more established pro’s. A  few years later the Harrell family moved back to Conneticut and Dean now land locked was forced to hang up his flippers. Below “Conneticut” hooking into a fine Island wrap photo Stroh late 80′s.

Pat is credited with being the first bodyboarder to pull a full rotation El rollo at Sandy Beach. This shot was taken by Tom Boyle in ’84 a few years after that ground breaking day that changed the direction for the sport .

Jay Reale Mainland USA’s highest profile rider was a regular visitor to Australia turning up year after year for the comps for more than a decade. This snap was taken down Ulladulla during a photo shoot around ’89. Pic Stroh

Throughout the  90′s Jon-Kelly was a familiar sight at Off The Wall hitting lips and pulling in. There was all-ways a tight crew of young Hawaiians that hit the famous stretch of beach during the peak winter months looking for Kodak glory while dominating the sets. Around the mid 90′s Bodyboarders ruled this strech of sand. Jon K was one of the best.

Kainoa McGee scored one of the early issues of Bodyboarding Magazines covers in Nov ’88.It would be the first of many for the talented all round Hawaiian waterman.

Tyson Williams came from Manly Beach which is not regarded as a great bodyboard wave. For Tyson it was not a handicap as he soon proved he could handle all kinds of wave power. Tyson was a high profile bodyboarder throughout the mid to late 90′s riding for Morey and Rip Curl and he  gained Australia wide exposure when his image appeared on Milo cans. Tyson was a fierce competitor who excelled on the Pro and Aussie Tour. Pic below was taken at Backdoor around ’98 by Stroh.

When a young Brazillian named Daniel Rocha appeared on the bodyboard scene in the 90′s he earnt the knickname Peanut. Peanut was soon hailed as a Supergrom as he ripped for a kid his age and he was also being schooled by Tamega who took him under his wing. Daniel was  hailed as a future World Champ. After years following the Pro Tour he didnt take the number 1 spot but his record was up there. One of his finest results was in ’98 when he placed 3rd at Pipe. This shot of Peanut was taken in ’96 in Reuniun Island by Stroh.

Brazillian Jefferson Anute was a top contest performer in the late 90′s. Inspired by Tamega, Anute was a regular finalist on the Pro tour. He had a strong bag of tricks and was extremely versatile handling solid waves in Hawaii to ripping in gutless comp slop. Pic was taken at OTW by Stroh. Here’s a clip of Jefferson in action.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC4sjZyHicQ

 David Legleye was a French bodyboarder who was part of the world tour throughout the late 90′s. He was a friendly and carefree soul who lived to get tubed. Unfortunately in 2001 along with fellow Frenchman/ Tahitian, Matt Walbrou the pair were killed in a car crash returning from a contest. He will be missed but never forgotten. R.I.P     Below David taking the drop in Reunion Island in ’96. photo Stroh