HISTORY

When Eppo busted onto bodyboard radar he was known for his ability to bust huge airs. Eppo practiced getting big air by launching on a oversize trampoline and soon transferred his technique to the waves. Throughout the early 90′s Eppos airs were the biggest in the business and he took them further in the coming years when he single handed ushered in the gymnastic era of the sport. Check out some footage of Eppo from his movie Freakshow here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D7vHFnMuDM&feature=player_embedded

This pic below shot at Pipe around ’95 he made it.

Through out the 90′s Vicki Gleeson was the poster girl of Aussie bodyboarding. Hailing from Port Macquarie and with brother Peter a competitive bodyboarder as well she soon dominated the local Aussie women’s scene. While Vicki never won a world title she was a top competitor on the international women’s circuit as well winning her fair share of tour events. In 2002 she was inducted into the Australasiaan Bodyboarder Hall of Fame. Today Vicki lives in the US with hubby Jay Reale and family.

This pic of Ben Player was taken in West Oz during a photo assignment for Quiksilver and Rush Magazine late 90′s. Back then Quiky had the dream team and were even producing Mez made Quiky bodyboards. Around the time this photo was snapped BP was just starting to make a name for himself and in the coming years would be a dominant force in the sport. Photo Stroh

Aaron Bagley during the 90′s was apart of the talented Seaside Reef dropknee crew which also featured Paul Roach and Raffi Myers. This photo taken at Beach Park in Hawaii by Chris Stroh early 90′s. Check out this clip featuring Aaron

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tfQ-tustSY

Jacob Reeve is a talented bodyboarder from Santa Barba County in California. A devoted Christian Jacob quickly made a name for himself in the late 90′s as a deadly and feared competitor who revelled in small contest waves with a full arsenal of twisted moves. This pic was taken in New Zealand by Chris Stroh.   Check out the clip below of Jacob and Kyle Maligro surfing a nuts Wedge.         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnLiRefHfbw

The United Kingdoms Threesixty magazine arrived on the British bodyboard scene early 90′s. Back then it was in newspaper format. Heres issues 2 with Matt Allen on the cover and issue 3 with Mike Stewart.

 Hardballs first hit the Northshore around ’96 and fitted in at Pipeline like he was surfing his home break . Over the next decade he was a constant standout with his clean lines and smooth moves. This pic busting a big forward air, photo Stroh around ’99

Nathan “Nugget” Purcell was best known for his ripping out at Shark Island, inventing the Gorf move and along with Mark Fordham creating the Shark Island Challenge. During the 90′s Nugget like the rest of the top echelon of bodyboarders around the world he made the winter pilgrimage to Hawaii’s Northshore. Nugget around this time put in some solid free surfing performances out Pipe and Backdoor. This cutty carve was typical of the moves that impressed the locals. Photo Stroh mid 90′s.

In the late 90′s South African born Andre Botha dominated at Pipe. Along with Stewart, Kainoa, Tamega and a handful of  others, Dre could be counted on to take off on the biggest , gnarliest and most deadly barrels that Pipe could muster up. Dre was fearless and it was this attitude and his rare ability that saw him become the youngest bodyboarder to win not one but two World Titles. Taming the beast photo below by Stroh late 90′s.