HISTORY

Hawaiian born and bred, Joey Viera grew up surfing the Northshore at reefs like Velzyland and Rocky Point. During the late 80′s early 90′s Joey had his DK moves down and was one of the most spectacular Dropkneers on the Island.Billabong advertisement shot by Brian Bielmann.

Riding waves and gloves for paddling have never been popular. While they have been proven to increase paddle power the unnatural feel and look have limited there retail success. Many companies have tried but most have failed. This advertisement from the early 90′s features Pat Caldwell spruiking a pair of TFL Power Gloves.

Complete with fins this Morey Boogie 136 was purchased in ’79.

Chaz McCall was the  first bodyboarder to really charge Shark Island in the late 70′s. By the mid 80′s Dougy became his apprentice and soon followed the same path by taking waves that the surfers could not ride all handle. Where Chaz was pure go for it , Dougy took it a step further and began making the waves his main goal. Before long he was one Australias first bodyboarding media stars as photos of his tube riding skills and “Doug airs” began appearing around the globe. Unfortunately he was cut down in his prime when he broke his back in a wipeout and was forced to retire prematurely . Dougy enjoys the view  in the early 90′s photo Stroh

Adam Smith began bodyboarding at a very young age , by the time he was 10 years old he already had a name in the sport. Wingy was the first bodyboarder to be sponsored by Manta and by the time he was 12 he was already a regular in the Shark Island lineup where in the coming years he would earn his place at the top of the pack as one of the best of the all time Island crew. Below Wingut shows where he got his nickname photo Stroh ’89.

 

Free-Falling  at Shark Island is one advantage bodyboarders have over their surfing rivals. By taking off deeper and earlier they can catch waves that surfers can’t. This photo shows and unknown charger risking life and limb by dropping dangerously from the lip as a  mountain of water is about to explode.  Photo Stroh early 90′s.

 

Shark Island has produced plenty of top class locals over the years. Names like Chaz McCall, Doug Robson, Brett Young, Matt Percy, Nugget, Ballard, Rissole, Lester and John Showell have all made their mark on this incredible wave that seems made for bodyboarders. Below Wazza Feinbeer is another of the Island crew who neglected his own personal safety to ride this incredible barrel. Wazza approach was fearless and in his prime he was  prepared to pay the ultimate sacrifice to get heavily barrelled. Below Wazza with his unique canoe helmet photo by Stroh ’89.

 

Some say that as a grommet Bal showed all the signs as a future prospect  in standup surfing. Once the bodyboard bug bit he traded in his surfboard and quickly made a name for himself as the king of Aussie Dropknee throughout the 90′s. Below Dave dissects a wave at The Wall at Cronulla around ’89 photo Stroh.

When bodyboarding went viral in Australia in the mid 80′s , the young Cronulla bodyboarders had a clear advantage over everyone else in the land of Oz by concentrating on their  big wave skills. With waves like Shark Island , The Point and Voodoo in their backyard they adapted to powerful waves early in their careers and made a huge impact on sport both locally and internationally. Below Brett Young lines up a heavy drop at Cronulla Point around ’88.Photo Chris Stroh.

In the late 80′s Dougy Robson was the name on everyones lips in Australia. He was charging Shark Island and winning all the local comps. Photo Stroh