HISTORY

Hardballs at Shark Island early 2000s

Testament to the skills of West Aussie ripper Ryan Hardy. The Hardlyfe was shot and produced by Chris Bryan.

When Ryan Hardy made his first trip to the Northshore there was big expectations for the West Australian bodyboarder. He had been quietly building up a solid reputation at home and now if he wanted continue on the path as a pro bodyboarder he had to prove it on the World stage. Hardballs took to Pipe quickly and by the end of the 95/96 season all fears were laid aside as he had definitely left his mark. Rhino with a Pipe reverse , photo Stroh.

 

 

 

Watching Ryan Hardy tube ride you can see  the  little shifts , turns and body movements that he does that makes it look  so easy. The truth is he’s spent years honing these skills and the final result is that Hardballs is now one of the best tube riders in the sport. This pic Shark Island by Stroh back in the 4 Play board days.

 

Before Ryan Hardy made a name for himself internationally for years he was charging the biggest and best waves that West Oz is famous for often alone. Growing up Ryan surfed by himself most days often way out to sea on reefs that few others dared venture out to. Here’s Rhino on one such day below taking a large one at Cross-waves.  Photo Holtzy.

 

This snap of Ryan “Hardballs” Hardy was taken in ’98 at a then secret spot on the Central  Coast. To keep it low key Tim Jones the photographer ran the shot in reverse in this Billabong adv.

 

Bodyboarding Magazine October issue 2000 celebrates Ryan Hardy winning the awesome first Tahiti Skins contest at Teahupoo with a epic shot on the cover. Hardy’s win that day is still regarded as one of the most epic victories and performance surfing the sport has ever seen. Footage of Ryans win and the final heats can bee seen here.                             http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZbqT0ts4Ws&feature=related

Ryan Hardy didn’t invent the forward barrel spinner but he certainly perfected it. At the inaugural Teahpoo Comp in Tahiti he unleashed this move in the most critical section of the wave probably one of the hardest moves to pull. When he pulled it in the final  it gave him the edge over his rivals walking away with first prize. This photo from a 5 shot seq saw Hardballs again pulling the move at Shark island during a practice session approx 5 years back. Photo Stroh

Hardballs is a phenomenal reef rider who is fearless and driven to make the wave at all cost. This Island freefall was snapped in early 2000′s .Photo CSP