HISTORY

July 9, 1971, Tom took his latest invention of a prone riding surfcraft down to Honols, Kona Hawaii. The board is 54 inches long shaped from a broken surfboard blank and covered in newspaper. After catching a few waves prone he realises he has something special. “This is going to be a device that everyone will have” he thinks to himself. This was the start of the bodyboard revolution. Below Tom and the first bodyboard.

This is the first ever Manta bodyboard Circa mid 80′s. Terry Fleming designed and shaped his first design in his garage using vinyl from a old lounge as the deck. It was the start of  a Bodyboard empire that flourished throughout the 90′s with riders like Eppo, Ballard, Youngy,Tim Jones, Rawlins, Roach and Wingnut all flying the flag Tery sold the company quite a few years back and now lives up the mid north coast of NSW. pic Stroh

When Ross “Hellman” Hawke joined forces with the new Aussie Bodyboard brand called Manta in the late 80′s it was to leave  a lasting impression. Hawkey was soon to become the first Aussie rider to have his own signature board model. Sales boomed and it kick started the Manta brand which would in the coming years dominate the Aussie market. Hawkey in the factory late 80′s. pic Stroh