HISTORY

From the bonus section of  Rush video 10-4 by Chris Stroh

From Underground Tapes by Chris Stroh ’92

 

Mike Stewart is probably best known for his dominating freesurf performances at Pipeline. In the bodyboard world he is regarded as the equivalent of Gerry Lopez aka Mr Pipeline. However Mike was equally at home going the other way as well. Backdoor the reverse off Pipe is an awesome wave itself.  Mike was just as impressive if not more finding the longest tubes and making them going right. Photo Stroh Circa 90′s

This photo was taken late 80′s when Mike was single handedly ruling the sport in every aspect photo Stroh.

When Mike was the highest profile rider in the sport throughout the 80′s he attracted outside sponshorship like Gothcha Clothing and other surf related brands. Around ’86 the sport was going off in the USA and Mike was in the box seat to claim the rewards.

Mike Stewart gets interviewed in Tracks Surf Magazine in ’91…they ask the question “Could a bodyboarder be the best surfer in the world”. Wilmont snapped Mikes bottom turn at Pipe.

Mike Stewart opened a door of posibilities when he sussessfully took on Jaws riding a bodyboard for the first time. Up to this point Tow-in bodyboarding was virtually undiscovered and that bodyboards themselves would not be able to handle the size.Mike proved the skeptics wrong. Below Mike at Maui’s infamous Jaws.

Photo back in 2008 Mike Stewart experimenting with modern day Paipos.