HISTORY

When the Northshore was closing out car loads of bodyboarders would head to the otherside of the Island of Oahu to take advantage of the numerous short and intense reefs and shories ideal for getting barrelled. Photos taken at spots like I Don’t Knows, Third Dips and Pray For Sex became regular features in Bodyboard Magazine in the 80′s. This shot shows some a Westside potential. Photo Stroh

Six Time World Champion and 3 times winner of the prestigous Shark Island Bodyboard Challenge, Guilherme Tamega is Brazils most famous bodyboarder . When this pic was taken mid 90′s Tamega was already pushing legend Mike Stewart for top honours at the infamous Pipeline photo Stroh

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.

ODB alias Brandon Foster from South Africa is a road warrior and bodyboard purist who travels the world searching for new waves and experiences. This shot of ODB was taken at Off The Wall in Hawaii by Chris Stroh Circa 2000′s.

Mike Stewart for years was the first surfer to catch a wave at Pipeline every New Years Day. Mike would paddle out during the night hours and ride in the first wave of the year. Photo Stroh Circa mid 90′s.

It was Keith Sasaki who first used a wrist rope to help power his dropknee turns. Keith would tug on his  rope during a move to get a full carving turn and effectively throw buckets of spray. It helped make his manoeuvres appear more radical. Photo Brian Bielmann 1990.

Toby Player may not have won a World Title like his brother Ben but on any given day Toby could often outshine Ben on a regular basis on their daily free surf sessions. Toby and Ben were inseparable growing up and they would push each other constantly. It was this friendly brotherly rivalry that took them both to the top of the sport. Toby at Blackrock late 90s photo Stroh

Hawaiian bodyboard princess Shawnee Oide was one of the top competitors of womens bodyboarding in the late 80′s and early 90′s. Shawnee would later become Mrs Aka Lynman. Shawnee at  Manly Photo Stroh 90.

 

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.

 

 

 

Ocean 1 Wetsuits was one of the first brands to get behind bodyboarders in Aus in the early 90′s. They even produced a suit specially designed for the likes of Doug Robson and Tim Jones featured below. Circa 90′s photo Hoover.