HISTORY

Nathan “Nugget” Purcell back in the Skid Kids days of the early 90′s when a group of Shark Island kids help revolutionize the way the world looked at bodyboarding by rebelling against the small wave comps and pushing for events in quality waves photo Stroh

 

 

Tim Jones a former pro bodyboarder switched to shooting water photos after his career as a bodyboarder began to wane in the late 90′s. Jonsey was not afraid to get deeply involved with his subjects as he was used to putting himself into the heaviest parts of the impact zone. In the space of 1 year he was right up there with the best waterman and his photos became in demand. On this day Nugget lined up with Jonsey to get a deep fish eye angle at Shark Island. At the time it was pretty ground breaking and a gutsy effort to see a photographer getting so deep at the notoriously heavy reef . Photo CSP

Tully Beevor and Nathan Nugget Purcell from Australia where two of the most visible and high performing bodyboarders of the mid 90′s. This shot taken at a Qld premier for a Underground Tapes.

The sport has seen some real characters throughout the years but probably few leave a more lasting impression than the boy from Cronulla affectionately known as Nugget. With Nugget what you see is what you get. As one of the standouts at Shark Island in the 90′s Nuggets name was well known around the bodyboard world. Tales of his adventurers were always doing the rounds. As a bodyboarder Nugget had a wild pedal to the metal approach and would never hold  back. This shot taken in Hawaii at Backdoor Circa 90′s by Chris Stroh

Nathan Nugget Purcell was best known for his wild mischievous behaviour and biting comments as well as his standout tube riding at Shark Island.  One of the sports true characters. This pic Nugget is riding the foam ball out of Surge Late 90′s by Stroh

This was a classic Shark Island day back in 1990 when Nathan “Nugget” Purcell jockeyed into position against a hungry pack of bodyboarders to snavel the wave of the day. The shot appeared in a Shark Island Clothing advertisement a small brand that lasted only a short time. Photo Chris Stroh