HISTORY

Mez began his career in bodyboarding manufacturing in New Zealand working for  Rick  Broderson who was producing Morey , HB, O&E and assorted other brands. From here the rugby loving Kiwi moved to the Central Coast of Sydney where he worked for Toobs and Rheopaipo. A stint in America working for Buzz  at Custom X gave him the skill and confidence to bust out on his own.Today Mez is the driving force for Versus and Nick Mezritz Designs and is at the forefront of new manufacturing materials and future shapes. Photo Mez hard at work pic Stroh

In the 90′s one of the most publicised bodyboard photographers was Joseph Libby. The Hawaiian lensman was coming up with the shots of all the young Hawaiians including Aka, Fred Booth, Kainoa, A.J and the rest of the local crew of rippers. Libby was also behind the all Dropknee video Fumanchu which is still regarded as a classic even today.

Around the late 80′s Josh Murphy was the standout bodyboarder in Victoria. He was winning countless local events, State titles and made his presence felt in the Aussie Titles. The pic below of Josh was taken in ’89 competing in the  Pro Am at Manly by Chris Stroh.

When Team Manta embarked on a tour of Australias most southern Island they had no idea what to expect. Ross Hawke and Wingnut were the first two Pro riders to venture down to the Apple Isle and were blown away by the quality untapped bodyboarding waves that greeted them. Plus the dedicated local crew, a few even surfed in the icy waters without wetsuits. This shot Wingnut and The Hellman watch as huge swells pound the rugged Tassie coasline. Photo Stroh ’90

 

Every now and then The Northshore can become a little hectic so some of the boys like to jet off  to one of the outer islands for a quick escape. This day the waves were firing all along the beach in a series of  A Frames. The crew consists of Hubb, Maligs, Eppo, Burkes and a few local friends. The current was ridiculous so they used a car as a shuttle to take the boys back up to beach drop them off then pick them up once they drifted way down the line and then start over. It was impossible to paddle against the rip this day. Photo Stroh late 90s.

 

In the mid to late 90′s Manny Vargas was a familiar face at Off The Wall during the winter months. The colourful Manny with fis fluro hair and clothes had his DK routine down to a fine art and would have the cameras blazing every time he took off. These days Manny has toned down his ego and is now the mouth of IBA Pro Surfing running the commentary at all the Worlds Tour events. This shot Backdoor hack late 90′s photo Stroh.

 

In the 90′s French speaking Matt Walbrou was one of the big wave standouts on Hawaiia’s Northshore. When it was maxed out and stormy Matt along with Brian Wise, Tamega, Alistair Taylor and a hand-full of Aussies led by Steve MacKenzie would push the boundaries. They were taking waves that no one else wanted, surfers were no where to be seen and the hordes of photographers wern’t filming. The conditions were borderline crazy and Matt would take the biggest drops, get hammered and come up smiling on many waves. Most sessions he would pull into the epic keg totally stoked whether he made it out or not. The sport lost a true legend far to young. This pic Circa 90′s Matt Walbrou smooth and cool under pressure at Pipe photo Stroh

 

 

FJ’s was a closeout shore-break barrel a lot like I Don’t Knows in Hawaii that became popular with Northside bodyboarders and photographers for its photogenic qualities. Dave Appleby from Narrrabeen was one of the first to capitalise on FJ’s. It was  named after a nightclub situated across the road at South Narrabeen. Ridtide and Aussie Bodyboarder Mag were litterally filled with FJ”s barrel shots in the 90′s as it was more like a photo studio setup than it was a make-able wave. This day I lost my camera when the housing sprung a leak and it flooded. Photo of Dave Appleby early 90′s by Stroh

 Chris Cunningham From Huntington Beach C.A. USA was a team rider for 6 years with  Morey Boogie USA .In the late 80′s Chris was one of the mainlands most consistent contest performers. He placed first in the ISA World Amateur Champions (1988) and was Ranked 8th on bud pro tour three years . Clip below features Chris DKing back in the day.

Schoollboy Adam Lester was the latest  bodyboarding prodigy when this snap was shot late 90′s. Lester grew up surfing in the dog eat dog environment at Cronulla and was quick to standout both as a contest winning machine as well as a strong free surfer. He has huge respect at Shark island and after a recent few years semi retirement he’s back once again shaking up the Pro tour circuit as a formidable opponent. He is one rider that continues to get better with age. Photo Stroh.