HISTORY

Matt Allen had a worldwide reputation of a rider who would charge pretty much any lump of slabbing water that came his way. From Newport Wedge, Waimea Shorey and Teahupoo in Tahiti where this photo was taken by Russel Hoover in 2001 Matt excelled when conditions were extreme.

In the 80′s and 90′s  incredible moves like this inspired bodyboarders world wide to Drop Knee

Ronk was one of the most popular Hawaiian bodyboarders of the 90′s . His charging at Pipe brought him plenty of respect from the bodyboard world. Even a near drowning at the worlds most famous wave didn’t deter him one bit or wipe the permanent smile from his face.

In the 80′s and early 90′s with very little money to be made in the sport the more sponsors a rider had the perception was the better the bodyboarder he must be. Tim was a sponsors delight and with his no holds bared charging the companies  got there moneys worth. Photo Stroh 1990.

In the 80′s Maroubra was a strong hold of bodyboard talent. It was one of the first areas in Aus. to take to the sport in a big way. Evan Penglis, Ross Hawke, Bob Bell, Steve Mackenzie and PJ Hyland pictured below were totally dominating the local contest scene in the very early days  in OZ .

When the whole No Friends thing came about Hubb was on fire and was just starting to take his airs to bigger and better places. The NF vids captured a change in the sport and new era of riders, it set a high standard that had never been seen before in videos and placed a stylish feel towards bodyboarding that had been lacking previously. This shot of Hubb getting soulful on the South Coast of NSW photo Stroh

1874 observation of Ancient Paipo riders at Waikiki

 The surf here is fine and as the water is deliciously warm, bathing becomes here a luxury indeed. 
I saw at this place for the first time, that famous sport of the natives, ” surf bathing.” 
As the Pacific Ocean has here an uninterrupted sweep from the south of several thousand miles, the swells roll in with prodigious force, dashing the water into immense snowy fleeces. 
The native takes a small plank a foot wide and a few feet long, and by adroitly diving under the approaching waves, at length works his way far out to sea. 
Watching his opportunity on the approach of an unusually heavy surf, he dextrously flings himself into it a little forward of the crest, slightly inclines the board to receive the forward impulse of the water,and with the speed of the wind rushes toward the shore, enveloped in a fleecy foam and spray. 

Bullet was a stylish Dropknee rider. In the early part of his career he was all DK winning Aussie Titles and State comps and was the man to beat. He gradually moved back to prone and less DK after a wipe out in WA tweaked his knee. At prone he was just as impressive. Photo Bosko Circa mid 90′s.

Toddy grew up right on the sand at Lighthouse Beach at PT MacQuarie in the early 90;s the area was a stronghold of bodyboard talent with the likes of the Murray Bros, Rick Bannister, Simon Thornton and Eppo it had a very competive bodyboard scene. Young Toddy was one of the best competitors coming up the ranks and could excel at both Dropknee or prone. This shot was taken in Hawaii on his first trip mid 90′s by Mike Searle of Threesixty mag.