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Mission 1096: Canadian bodyboarder sets sights on a 3-year wave-riding streak

2024-10-25T07:58:29+00:00

At 50 years old, Carlos Hebert Plante is once again embarking on a doable mission that could literally break all ice.

The man who became famous after being "discovered" by SurferToday in the early 2010s is back with an ambitious plan wave-riding plan.

The bodyboarder from Montreal's Habitat 67 wants to ride a wave every single day for three years - 1096 days straight, to be exact - all while filming every ride on his GoPro.

Mission 1096 started on January 1, 2024, and will end on December 31, 2026.

Carlos "The Handboarder" Hebert is raising the expectations because this isn't just about personal achievement.

It's a campaign to introduce and popularize bodyboarding in Canada, a country that, despite its love for outdoor sports, does not have a well-known tradition of catching waves on a bodyboard.

Back in 2015-2016, Carlos challenged himself to ride a wave every day for a full year - mission accomplished.

But with his 50th birthday approaching, he's setting the bar even higher with this new three-year journey, hoping to put bodyboarding on Canada's sporting map in a big way.

"I want to show Canada what they're missing," Carlos told SurferToday.com.

"While kids in ocean-side communities around the world have been bodyboarding for over 50 years, in Canada, few have even tried it. I want to change that."

Carlos dreams of making bodyboarding an official sport in Canadian schools.

He envisions kids bodyboarding in pools, lakes, and rivers - anywhere with water - just like they play hockey on frozen ponds in winter.

"Bodyboarding brings so much joy, and it's such a fantastic workout. There's no reason kids shouldn't be learning it here, too," he adds passionately.

While Canadians are more familiar with water sports like surfing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), bodyboarding has never taken off in the Great White North.

The Personal Dream

So, although bodyboarding may be virtually unknown in Canada, Carlos believes he could be the vehicle that gives the sport its moment.

"I want to inspire a new generation of bodyboarders here."

And it's not just about the kids. Carlos also has his eyes set on something big for himself: Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

Canada's Sports Hall of Fame invites organizations to nominate deserving athletes and builders for induction.

Once submitted, nominations stay active for three selection cycles, eliminating the need for annual resubmission.

Carlos has been nominated in 2024 for a three-year streak in the builder category, i.e., people who have consistently contributed to the development of a sport for a sustained period.

Therefore, Hebert has been encouraged to "go big" to earn a spot among Canada's sporting legends.

And this 1096-day dream is his ticket.

A Wave in an Unexpected Place

Besides British Columbia's Tofino, the surfing capital of Canada, the second largest country is not exactly a hotspot for wave riding.

But Carlos knows better.

He's found Habitat 67, a unique surf break just 15 minutes from home, ranging from small and playful to technical, big ice-filled waves in winter.

"People are surprised by the river waves here," Carlos explains.

"They're different from ocean waves, but just as fun - and in some cases, even harder to catch!"

Carlos has a broad perspective, having grown up riding waves in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California.

Now, he's discovering that river waves in Canada can be just as exhilarating.

From 1 to 10-minute rides, these standing waves are so unusually addictive Carlos believes they will wow even professional bodyboarders used to the ocean.

Challenge Yourself

Carlos is fully aware that his mission will be tough. Riding waves in Canada's often frigid waters is no small feat.

"Nobody will copy this mission - it's just too cold!" he laughs.

But for Carlos, the freezing temperatures are part of the self-motivation and the reward.

By pushing himself through harsh winters and long summers, the Quebec rider is showing just how far passion can take you.

His ultimate goal? To make bodyboarding a fairly recognized sport in Canada and secure his place in the Hall of Fame as a pioneer.

Fair enough.

"It's a big mission," he admits, "but I'm ready."

"Waves are often shared among surfers, and the local surfing community has always welcomed me to bodyboard."

"On some days, there might be 100 surfers and just one bodyboarder in the water. I haven't told anyone yet about my Hall of Fame mission because it hasn't been officially announced."

With each wave he rides, Hebert Plant is making a statement: bodyboarding has room to evolve in Canada.

And by the end of his 1096-day journey, the country might just be ready to agree.

Keep following Carlos' incredible journey on SurferToday.com as he rides his way into Canadian sports history, one cold wave at a time.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

Guilherme Tâmega: the world champion bodyboarder turned Hawaiian lifeguard

2024-10-15T14:13:46+00:00

Guilherme Tâmega is the second most successful professional bodyboarder of all time, with six world titles, six runner-up world tour finishes, and several national and international trophies and accolades.

He is also one of the most popular athletes competitive bodyboarding has ever produced, alongside the one and only Mike Stewart. And as his Hawaiian rival, an-around waterman.

Guilherme Tâmega was born on September 3, 1972, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to a travel agent mother and a banker father.

He is the youngest of four brothers and always showed a competitive personality and determination to beat his siblings in soccer and swimming.

Gui's first waves were ridden at Copacabana Beach shorebreak, just a few minutes walk from his home.

Interestingly, Guilherme was initially into surfing. Then, he got tired of it and tried BMX.

But then again, he wanted to engage in some kind of water sport.

One day, the grom spotted half of a Morey Boogie Aussie washing up on the beach and decided to give it a try.

"It belonged to this local guy," GT once revealed.

"He was the only guy in the whole area who had a bodyboard, but this one day here it was, on the beach, snapped in half lengthways, but at least it gave me a chance to ride half of it."

A Grom Charging Pipe

The young Guilherme had fun and enjoyed the experience.

Soon after, in April 1985, the Brazilian already owned a Morey Boogie 139, and a few months onward, with the legendary Mach 7-7, Tâmega reached the final of a bodyboarding event at Itacoatiara - aged 13.

"I remember surfing that comp with just one fin, a giant scuba diving flipper on my right foot, with my left foot free," the bodyboarder recalled.

"The idea of fins didn't feel, at all, natural to me. I much preferred to have my feet free and feel the sand under my toes when I was jumping out of the shorey."

Gui only lost the final to a more experienced amateur rider, Paulo Esteves, who kept him from getting any wave - lesson learned.

One year later, in 1986, Guilherme was already a recognized young gun gaining sponsors at a time when the sport was growing fast in Brazil.

The speculation on whether he could be a future world champion soon spread within Brazilian sports media.

In 1988, Tâmega visited Hawaii's North Shore for the first time and paddled out at 10-foot Pipe. Impressive.

"These giant locals would paddle past me in disbelief, saying, 'How old are you?' I always looked a lot younger than I was. It was funny," GT recalled.

When he got back to Brazil, he won his country's national amateur title - Guilherme was fulfilling the expectations around him at only 16.

The First World Title

Suddenly, everything starts moving at a very fast pace.

In 1989, Tâmega turned pro and surfed his first international final in a contest held in Australia.

The Brazilian wonderkid also gets acquainted with the Balinese barrels and still finds time to win the professional Brazilian tour for the first time.

A year later, an injury sustained while riding his BMX left him out of the water for five months.

However, the unfortunate event also triggered a business idea that would define his life and career: Guilherme Tâmega started shaping and selling his own bodyboards.

In 1991, the young Rio rider conquers another national pro title and makes the final of the Morey Boogie World Championships at Pipeline where he finishes fourth.

After clinching the third Brazilian national bodyboarding title in 1992, the "Carioca" added another two back-to-back trophies in home waters.

Meanwhile, competitive performances at Pipe continued at the highest level.

In 1993, Wave Rebel offered Tâmega a contract, which included the chance to move to California to develop his signature bodyboard model.

GT accepts the challenge and moves to Oceanside, where he lives with Patti Serrano, the longtime bodyboard event promoter and founder of the Bodyboard International Magazine.

The stars were aligning, and the truth is Guilherme "Mega" Tâmega enjoyed an outstanding year in 1994.

He locked in his first world title at the International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships held in 12-to-15-foot surf at Pipeline.

The Brazilian sealed the deal with a double barrel and a massive el rollo.

Upon arriving in his country, Tâmega was hailed as a national hero by the national media outlets and even received Rio de Janeiro's Medal of Honor.

Simultaneously, GT secures his fifth national title; things couldn't get better for the Brazilian trailblazer.

GOB World Tour Domination

In 1995, a new era emerges in professional bodyboarding.

The Global Organisation of Bodyboarders (GOB) is the newly established entity running professional bodyboarding.

The GOB World Tour would become Guilherme Tâmega's golden stage.

Between 1995 and 2002, the Brazilian competitive machine won five world titles (1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2002).

In between, Tâmega won one US (1996), one Panamerican, and two ISA World Bodyboard Championship (1996 and 2000) titles.

The 1990s also proved that Tâmega could shine at his longtime rival's home turf, the Banzai Pipeline, where he won events and displayed his trademark frog-legged forward spins and power moves in critical sections.

"Mike was my biggest rival, not only in the water but out of the water, too," Tâmega noted.

"I wanted to beat him more than anything. We got along well, but when we went against each other, sparks just flew."

However, the two rivals had at least one common ground.

They were the first in professional bodyboarding to believe in and embrace a healthy diet and proper physical training as a way to reach new performance heights.

The uber-determined, fearless charger from Rio de Janeiro quickly gained the respect not only of his long legion of fellow countrymen and countrywomen but also from the international boogie-boarding community.

"I Care About Second Places"

The first rider to defy Tâmega's glorious decade was South African Andre Botha, who interrupted the Brazilian's winning streak in 1998 and 1999.

But even for those losses, Guilherme had a few words.

"I know some people don't care about second places, but I do. It's still very hard to be there and get that close to winning. It's still an accomplishment."

Ultimately, GT collected six runner-up finishes in the GOB and IBA World Tour eras, proving he was the undisputed ruler of a 12-year reign.

In 2001, after securing his fifth GOB World Tour title, Guilherme Tâmega was offered a sponsorship deal with his beloved soccer club, Vasco da Gama.

The multiple-time world bodyboarding champion was going mainstream and was even presented on the São Januário on match days for the delight of thousands of spectators.

From 2002 to 2004, GT came first thrice in the prestigious tube-riding contest, the Shark Island Challenge, at the infamous Australian slab wave.

After marrying his personal trainer, Danielle Batista, in 2003 and becoming a father, Guilherme slowly shifted his focus to his bodyboard company, GT Boards, and lifeguarding in Hawaii.

In 2015, the Brazilian power rider announced his retirement, even though he still kept competing throughout the 2020s.

Tâmega is one of the greatest bodyboarders of all time and an athlete that still inspires new generations of riders.

Hawaii and Lifeguarding

Guilherme Tâmega's transition to a lifeguard career began when he and his wife moved to Hawaii.

During a competition at Pipeline, with his wife pregnant, he decided they would stay there for good.

To earn some extra money, he started working as a lifeguard at a military base pool with the help of some friends from the bodyboarding community.

Initially, Tâmega faced challenges in a difficult environment, working, for example, at Ala Moana, which he described as "bizarre" and something that almost drove him "crazy."

That's the price to pay and the ladder to climb to reach the elite of Hawaiian lifeguarding.

After a year, GT managed to transfer to the North Shore of Oahu, where he began to earn respect and establish himself through hard work, as being a former world champion is useless per see and did not help him be taken seriously.

Throughout his early lifeguard career, Tâmega went through several stages to advance and progress, including becoming a jet ski operator, which involved intense training and dedication.

But working at Pipe is almost like being in a "playground" where Guilherme could take advantage of breaks to be in the water doing what he loves most - to drop vertically into hollow pits.

Tâmega was involved in several dramatic rescue experiences, some of which ended up on YouTube.

For the Brazilian bodyboarder, "every surfer is, in a way, a lifeguard, as they are always close to incidents in the ocean."

Nowadays, with his extensive knowledge of ocean patterns, Tâmega sees his transition to becoming a lifeguard as a natural step, complementing his passion and skills in the water with the mission of saving lives.

In 2024, roughly 40 years after having started surfing, GT is still charging and riding the best wave of the day at select international competitions.

To his detractors who denounced his lack of style and technicality, Guilherme Tâmega could always reply with a simple yet multiple title-winning statement: "I've got the power."

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

Bodyboarding in the Olympic Games: dream or reality?

2024-07-23T16:13:01+00:00

Historically, bodyboarding has been the black sheep of the wave-riding family.

Mocked, humiliated, cursed, insulted, teased, and belittled for decades by stand-up surfers, bodyboarders have always had to fight and pull up their socks.

The answer took time, but it was a slap in the face.

As performance bodyboarding reached unprecedented levels of stoke, part of the surfing community willingly threw the towel.

Yes, bodyboarders ride waves that surfers can never dream of.

Yes, bodyboarders take off deeper than any surfer.

Yes, when conditions are chaotic, stormy, and extreme, bodyboarders are the only ones out the back.

The denial era is gone, and those who still spare time arguing about the physical prowess and technical skills required to master bodyboarding at the highest level will easily lose the battle of arguments.

Bodyboard: Light, Portable, Fun, and Affordable

The bodyboard is an amazing wave-riding craft.

It's small, light, super portable, and yet, can propel a rider 15 feet up above the lip, a feat that is virtually impossible in surfing.

A good bodyboard costs a third of a good surfboard.

Then, when it comes to the barrel, bodyboarders drop vertically into a deep cylinder and ride inside the tube longer than any other water sports participants.

Sleds, sponges, lids, boogs, trays, Tupperware, etc. The list of derogatory and pejorative names to refer to bodyboards is endless.

At some point, there was even a marketing stunt by a famous chocolate bar featuring a world surfing champion mocking bodyboarders.

The campaign shocked the bodyboarding community, which protested and boycotted the nougat, peanuts, and caramel with chocolate-coating bar.

This was circa 2010.

Before that, surf magazines of the 1980s and 1990s had already sparked hate toward bodyboarding and bodyboarders, even though, for instance, the first riders to take on big Teahupoo were bodyboarders.

"How could you be respected by riding a wave prone? That's outrageous. Disrespectful."

The Tom Morey Vision

Interestingly, the father of the bodyboard and modern bodyboarding was an accomplished surfer.

Tom Morey, an engineer, philosopher, jazz drummer, surfboard shaper, businessman, and lifeguard, was one of the most skilled surfers of the post-World War II era.

In 1963, he even made the cover of Surfer magazine.

Tom served as President of the United States Surfing Association and even built surfboards made of paper.

Morey was larger than life; probably the most influential figure in wave-riding sports.

In 1971, the Detroit-born genius cut a nine-foot piece of foam in half, shaped it with his wife's iron, and placed a sheet of the Honolulu Advertiser to stop the foam from melting.

Next stop, Honels, the surf break on the west side of Hawaii's Big Island.

The board was fun and easy to ride. The rest is Morey Boogie history.

Tom Morey had just designed the most accessible watercraft. It's cheap, safe, and has a very appealing learning curve.

Soon, Morey Boogie was selling millions of boards and paving the way to a new sport and industry.

Underground But Never Underwater

Despite its popularity, surf media ensured that the new stepbrother would remain in the shadows of a very lucrative surf industry.

"New players? No way. We already have skateboarding under our umbrella, thank you very much."

Bodyboarding has always had to find its own way.

It could've had a neutral, kind of Swiss-like posture from its older brother. But we all know that is not what happened.

Throughout history, there have been attempts to muscle up the niche: magazines have appeared, Big Four sponsors have invested in the sport, and World Tour organizations have run global events.

But the foundations were always precarious and mostly kept afloat by passionate and highly competent individuals who incessantly kept the sport above the water's surface.

You can never tell it's been easy for bodyboarders. It hasn't. It's been a very bumpy road.

Professionalism in bodyboarding is like trying to become a full-time band member or musician in a small country.

Only a few thrived, and even those didn't necessarily become millionaires.

These dark clouds are, here and there, intertwined with glimpses of blue skies.

There are still good bodyboard manufacturers, and some old-school brands are being revived.

Every time a new generation enters the water, the riding level adds a new level of insanity to the previous state-of-the-art.

Skateboarding had its dark decades, too, and now it's an Olympic sport.

Could bodyboarding follow the same path? Maybe. But it needs a helping hand.

The ISA Factor

The International Surfing Association (ISA) is the governing body for the sport of bodyboarding.

From 2012 to 2015, it organized the ISA World Bodyboard Championship.

A similar and older event, the ISA World Surfing Games, awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals and put surfing in the Olympic route.

The ISA World Bodyboard Championship was canceled due to the low interest and participation of the ISA's member federations.

However, the ISA signaled that if the scenario changes and strong and capable hosts show interest, a comeback could be in the making.

Fernando Aguerre, longtime ISA president and the man behind surfing's Olympic debut, is now a well-known personality with solid connections in the Olympiad movement.

If there's someone who could, for a start, get bodyboarding a demonstration sport shot in the Summer Olympics, it is Aguerre.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been focusing on highlighting sports that are accessible and appeal to youth, men and women, boys and girls, all year round.

Bodyboarding ticks all the boxes, and in addition to its virtues, it also allows for a perfect Paralympic showdown.

With millions of recreational participants, it adapts to all ocean conditions and can be enjoyed in all kinds of waves, from point breaks to slabs, beach breaks, and shore breaks.

Having bodyboarding showcased at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics would certainly honor its California roots, but Brisbane 2032 would also be the perfect celebration of the sport's 60 anniversary.

Which sport can see a 60-year-old GOAT riding massive waves of consequence? Only bodyboarding's very own Mike Stewart.

Need an ambassador? There you have it.

And as Tom Morey once put it, "I don't see any difference between bodyboarding and surfing - it's all surfing."

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

Ben Sawyer wins 2024 Shark Island Challenge

2024-06-17T11:18:20+00:00

Ben Sawyer has taken out the 2024 Shark Island Challenge in Cronulla, near Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

The prestigious bodyboarding competition returned to the shallow waters of Cronulla after its last run six years ago.

The much-anticipated event attracted the world's best bodyboarders, including Jacob Romero, Jase Finlay, Tanner McDaniel, Lewy Finnegan, Pierre-Louis Costes, Jeff Hubbard, Jared Houston, Lily Pollard, Mike Stewart, Dave Winchester, and many other well-known names.

There was even a surfer - Noa Deane - competing among world champions and slab-riding specialists.

Shark Island delivered the goods, even though not at an epic level, mainly due to a perfect misalignment between wind and swell.

Nevertheless, it was exciting to watch a contest held by a team of committed riders and sponsors in six-to-ten-foot surf, provided by a low pressure system originated in Tasmania.

Local Knowledge Pays Off

The competition featured five-athlete heats, with the top two advancing to two semifinal matchups and the final.

The online broadcast was hugely successful, featuring live commentary, interviews with heat winners, multiple cameras, and drone shots.

Thousands of fans and spectators followed the reef break showdown from the Cronulla Esplanade; others got a privileged view from the break's channel.

The jet ski crew made sure the light injuries sustained were quickly addressed, keepin all riders safe and sound in and out of the water.

The final showcased four local specialists (Andrew Lester, Ben Sawyer, and Marli Dunn) and an outsider (Michael Ostler).

Sawyer claimed the top spot and his maiden Shark Island Challenge crown, followed by former champion Andrew Lester, Ostler, and Dunn.

The winner also won the Best Barrel award.

The Shark Island Challenge was first run in 1997, and since then, it has become a symbol of extreme bodyboarding in heavy conditions.

Hopefully, the iconic event will continue alive and pumping.

2024 Shark Island Challenge | Final

Ben Sawyer
Andrew Lester
Michael Ostler
Marli Dunn

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

The rebirth of Morey Boogie

2024-04-09T11:29:18+00:00

The renaissance of the Morey Boogie brand is underway.

It's the most prestigious and recognized bodyboard company in the sport's history, and it was founded by Tom Morey, the father of modern bodyboarding.

Despite the famed reputation, the legendary brand has not enjoyed a steady and linear path since its creation in 1973, two years after Tom shaped the world's first bodyboard.

The business flourished, and Morey was manufacturing and selling over 80,000 per year when he sold the firm to Kransco between 1977 and 1978.

Several critical back-to-back events followed.

Mattel acquired Kransco in 1994, and three years later, it sold the sports division toy brands, including Morey Boogie, to Wham-O.

The brand navigated turbulent waters, struggling to keep up with the fast evolution of the water boardsports market.

In less than a couple of decades, windsurfing had bloomed and sunk, and kiteboarding was en route to becoming the world's fastest-growing sport.

Surfing was also continuously gaining more enthusiasts and becoming more accessible to everyone.

In addition to these changing times, Wham-O changed owners a couple more times until Joseph Lin, CEO of Stallion Sport, alongside Intersport, took over in 2016.

The goal was to revitalize a company that had its glory days with products like Frisbee, Hula Hoop, and Slip 'N Slide.

Morey Boogie was caught in these waves of change, and fans lost their trust in the iconic insignia.

Misunderstandings: The 50th Anniversary of the Boogie

In 2021, the bodyboarding world celebrated the 50th anniversary of the bodyboard with a series of global events put up by riders and friends of Tom Morey.

At the time, the Morey brand president proposed launching a special anniversary bodyboard and agreed with Tom Morey to pay him 10 percent in royalties.

Tom was already sick and debilitated.

According to SurferToday sources, Stallion Sport made a donation to Morey, regardless of royalties coming out of this board the company was going to launch.

Tom passed away when these boards had already been produced and released them.

Simultaneously, the remaining Morey family members couldn't decide how or to whom the royalties would be paid.

Because the investment in launching the special edition bodyboards had been made, the owner of Morey made sure to remove Tom's name and likeness and instead marketed it as a celebration of 50 years of boogieboarding.

The Morey family came out to express their distaste for this board.

It seemed like they were profiting from Tom's name while the family was grieving his passing.

Stallion Sport wasn't planning to drop the royalty deal.

Still, they couldn't keep a stock of products in the warehouse for long while the Morey family was trying to figure out how the royalties were distributed and who they were going to.

In the meantime, two key personalities tried to rebuild the bridge between the Morey family and the Morey Boogie owners: Mike Stewart and Pierre-Louis Costes.

Why? Because there is indeed a will to hear the bodyboarders and reestablish the trust and spirit of the legendary bodyboard company.

A New Dawn

Terrence Lin is the son of Joseph Lin, the owner of Wham-O.

He is the brand marketing manager of Wham-O and the man who has been sharing all the news and ideas the company has for Morey Bodyboards.

However, young Lin's business vision was shadowed by people with higher authority than him for a while.

Terrence could not make many decisions on his own, as his father made him work from the bottom up.

Today, he is the brand director for all three bodyboarding brands Wham-O controls - Morey, BZ, and Churchill - and he seems focused on keeping their legacy and values alive.

How? To get things started by showing an openness to listening to criticism and suggestions made by readers in online forums and social media.

Then, to apologize for Wham-O's past mishaps and errors and the brand's mismanagement by previous brand directors.

Lin says that, ultimately, the company is totally focused on developing quality products.

Since the rebranding, Terrence reached out to Melinda Morey, Tom's daughter, to "get her blessing and faith on my efforts to propel the Morey brand to what it once was."

"She expressed her satisfaction with the work I'm doing and with getting Pierre on the team."

Morey Bodyboards' sales managers are also meeting buyers and visiting local surf shops in California to better understand the bodyboarding landscape and reconnect with the community.

Terrence Lin also talked on the phone with Patti Serrano, Morey Boogie's marketing director in the 1980s and a longtime friend of Tom.

Serrano agreed to schedule a meeting with Sol and Marchia Morey in July 2024 to discuss the brand's potential collaboration in projects to bring bodyboarding at the grassroots level to young children.

Morey Bodyboards also has a budget to sponsor bodyboarders.

In cooperation with the company's European distributors, Morey Bodyboards inked a deal with Pierre-Louis Costes, who ended his contract with Pride.

The world bodyboarding champion is now involved in all Morey, BZ, and Churchill-related projects, including product development, marketing, sales, and athlete sponsoring.

"I talk to Pierre almost daily now," revealed Lin.

After sealing deals and setting up a rider team in Europe, Morey has its eyes on looking for bodyboarders and representation in the USA.

Morey, BZ, and Churchill: Product Development

One of Morey's most recent launches is Mach 12 Eco Tech.

The new model received mixed reviews, with some riders liking it and others calling it "Costco trash."

"But the whole idea of this board is based around Hawaii's banning of EPS material," explained Wham-O's brand marketing manager.

"We wanted to create something eco-friendly and good enough to be a mid-range board."

"So, we decided to make a board with a super high-density PP core. Most boards have a core density of 1.8 pounds per cubic foot. The Mach 12 Eco Tech has a core density of 3.12 pounds per cubic foot."

"The idea was it was so dense that we didn't even need a stringer and mesh to reinforce the whole board."

"We even made it so that materials are expanded directly into the mold, leaving no waste."

"There is also no need for a deck wrap because the top surface is already grippy enough, and no wax is needed."

Terrence Lin says that, given the board's quality, it would not be viable to sell it at Costco, and they wouldn't even consider taking it.

The bodyboard was tested at Costes' surf camp. The riders said the maneuverability could be better, but it's a quality mid-range board overall.

Morey is also working on Pierre-Louis's signature model, which is expected to see the light of day in 2025.

BZ, another iconic brand founded by Bobby Szabad, is also undergoing significant improvements, with "big plans" in the making that are kept secret.

The Return of Malaysian Rubber?

Last but not least, Churchill swim fins.

The Wham-O management and sales teams plan to clear the current inventory of the Makapuu model before considering releasing a Malaysian rubber version.

Terrence Lin is in contact with manufacturers in China and requested samples made with different types of Malaysian rubber.

Wham-O says they have tweaked the stiffness and rigidity of their swimfin range using old fins as a template and guide.

"The new fins will still be made in China, but the rubber will be imported from Malaysia. I have sent samples to Pierre, Iain Campbell, and Amaury Lavernhe, and the feedback is nothing short of amazing," concludes Lin.

"They provide a softer and smoother touch on the skin, with no chafing. I've tweaked the stiffness appropriately so they don't lose power."

Wham-O did not move the Churchill swim fin production to Malaysia because rebuilding the tooling needed onsite is not viable.

Nevertheless, Wham-O has been working on a cool, new-age, symmetrical Churchill swim fin made in Malaysia using Malaysian rubber.

It is aimed at bodysurfers and watermen in general and is expected to hit the market in 2025.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

Big wave bodyboarder Pedro Levi chases world record in Nazaré

2024-03-06T15:24:01+00:00

Pedro Levi is on a mission to ride the biggest wave of all time on a bodyboard.

He's been doing it for over a decade, and it seems he will only stop once he's been awarded the Guinness World Record (GWR).

Pedro Levi is a veteran bodyboarder from Portugal who competed in the national circuit.

But his passion for huge waves has taken over his drive to the point that, a few years ago, he had to develop his own air chamber-style life vest.

Garrett McNamara started calling him "Patagonia Boy."

The truth is that no investment has been made in big wave bodyboarding equipment, and the requirements are specific compared to traditional surfing.

For instance, the bodyboard used in extreme conditions differs from regular boards.

Due to the bumps that cause bodyboarders to jump, lose control, and wipe out, the rider found that heavier boards with shock absorption and memory characteristics can better withstand high speeds.

While Pedro Levi tests the equipment that works and doesn't work in both paddle-in and tow-in mode, he's chasing the largest waves he can find.

Pre-2011 Nazaré: The Bodyboarders' Kingdom

Let's not forget that the mammoth waves of Nazaré were first tamed by bodyboarders way before the stand-up surfing euphoria.

In 2005, local boogie rider Dino Casimiro sent Garrett McNamara a series of emails showcasing the quiet fishing town's potential.

They included words and photos of some unridden beasts detonating at Praia do Norte.

The first ever wave-riding big wave competition held at Praia do Norte was the 2003 Sumol Nazaré Special Edition.

The invitational bodyboarding contest ran for over ten years, with Mike Stewart, for instance, winning the event in 2009.

Despite the waves' size, the exploration of Nazaré's big wave surfing only took off after McNamara's 2011 Guinness World Record.

Since then, bodyboarders have been somehow sidelined and never quite got the media exposition and recognition they deserve.

The Big Wave Bodyboarding Guinness World Record

Bodyboarders were the Nazaré pioneers, and Pedro Levi wants everyone to remember it.

The Portuguese is close to getting his name etched in the Guinness World Records book for the biggest wave ever ridden on a bodyboard.

The proof is in "Nazaré vs. Bodyboard," a video featuring Levi's daring runs at the world's biggest wave.

The Above Creators online production is part of a broader series titled "Orgulhosamente Rastejante" ("Proudly a Crawler").

The third episode showcases one of Pedro's largest rides at Nazaré.

"In 2021, I caught a 14,87-meter wave acclaimed by the bodyboarding community as the biggest in the world so far," Levi wrote.

"However, GWR defined the minimum of 18 meters to be official in this application."

"Probably, they don't know how much harder it is to ride a giant wave, bigger than 10 meters, for example, on a bodyboard."

"Bodyboarders ride prone, so they cannot use the legs and knees to absorb the speed impacts while riding at high speed like surfers do."

Pedro Levi, who has bipolar disorder, is also raising awareness for mental health issues.

The goal is to show that it is possible to do great things, even if you live with a mental health condition, and to encourage people to talk
about it, seek help, and embrace treatment.

Levi served as a lifeguard for nine years.

He is a surfing instructor and guide. He has a local skipper's license, a jet ski piloting course, and tow-in and surf rescue training.

Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com

Pierre-Louis Costes joins Morey Bodyboards

2024-02-29T11:16:04+00:00

Pierre-Louis Costes and Morey Bodyboards signed a partnership and sponsorship deal. The French will ride for the American boogie board company.

Everything happened fast and unexpectedly, and the details were not disclosed.

On February 24, 2024, the two-time world bodyboarding champion announced he was parting ways with Pride, his longtime sponsor.

"After an incredible 13 years riding for Pride Bodyboards, the time has come to start a new chapter in my life," Costes wrote.

"With Pride, I achieved everything I could only dream of."

"We won my first world title the first year of our collaboration, we lifted all the trophies I wanted to lift, we broke records, we made the best bodyboarding movies, and I had the chance to be part of the best team in the world all those years."

"I will never forget when I joined Pride."

"At the time, I was leaving the best team in the world to start a new challenge. Some people didn't understand, but I can proudly say I was right to make that move."

"The feeling of taking a leap of faith into the unknown is special, and I am currently feeling that way again."

Few would have imagined that the you-only-live-once decision would mean making a move to a brand that has been under heavy fire in the last years.

Despite carrying the legendary surname of the father of modern bodyboarding, Tom Morey, the company has nothing to do with the original founder or its family.

Morey Bodyboards is owned by Wham-O, a firm of the Intersport Corp sporting goods retailer group.

Actually, the original company founded by Tom Morey had already changed hands. In 1978, he sold his business to Kransco.

The Mach 7 Controversy

In late 2021, soon after the passing of Tom Morey, InterSport Corp took pre-orders for a limited edition re-release of the classic Morey Mach 7, one of the most popular bodyboard models of all time.

Morey's family reacted, saying there was "no contractual agreement for this type of corporate financial gain in the midst of our loss."

The owner of Morey Bodyboards was forced to release a statement noting that "with permission from Tom Morey prior to his untimely passing, was to be announced for pre-order with an estimated delivery in March 2022."

"We apologize for any misperception that our communications may have caused, as it was not our intent."

Anthony Arturo Leone, one of the members of the team that ran an online and offline celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Morey Boogie board, later revealed that "Tom did not talk to Morey about this."

"In fact, Tom did a commemorative board with Superior Foam, owned by original Morey Boogie employee Debbie Coldwell, that was shaped by PMA and Jimmy Linville."

"That board was auctioned off at the official 50th-anniversary party we threw that summer."

"The same party Wham-O/Intersport said they were going to support and then backed out of at the last minute."

"Aside from that, Tom was working with Bobby Szabad (BZ Bodyboards) on a new venture after that event anyway."

"Tom was not attempting to work with the Morey brand; if he was, we would have all known about it."

Reviving the Morey Brand

Throughout 2023, Morey Bodyboards put in considerable effort to rebuild the brand's reputation.

Fans demanded that the company put more money into the sport by backing up bodyboarding events and sponsoring athletes.

Morey Bodyboards was more open to criticism and suggestions, and a brand manager's online work put some water on the fire.

Around October 2023, the bodyboard company announced a rider sponsorship and ambassador program.

The goal was to find riders, "especially from the United States, who are active on social media with a following ranging from 4,000-50,000 followers."

The brand has two websites - moreybodyboards.com and moreyboogie.eu - but it's not clear who's part of the Morey riding team.

Also, there's no information about who's running the show, except for the European website.

It mentions Jeremy Arnoux, Mathieu Desaphie, and Nico Padois, three riders who "set out to create a line of boards inspired by the classic models of that era, incorporating modern construction and enhancements."

These boards specifically designed for Europe are "crafted in limited quantities at Broady in Indonesia."

Costes and Morey

The announcement of the partnership between Morey and Pierre-Louis Costes is undoubtedly a relevant milestone in the company's history.

"It's an honor for me to be riding for Morey Boogie," expressed PLC.

"The legacy of Tom Morey shall never be forgotten, and the biggest act of gratitude I could do in my life towards the man who made all of us bodyboarders who we are today is to carry his name as I continue to bodyboard at the highest level."

"This is a new era coming, and I am very honored to have the opportunity to represent bodyboarding's most iconic and prestigious brand."

Will Costes provide inputs for the upcoming bodyboards? Will he design a signature model? Will new riders join the Morey insignia?

Can the Morey family be brought into the business in any fruitful way?

Kai de Legh conquers 2023 Australian Bodyboard Titles

2023-08-16T07:20:59+00:00

The 2023 Australian Bodyboard Titles concluded at North Haven in Port Macquarie, the capital of Australian bodyboarding.

Held under pristine 3-4 foot offshore conditions, the ocean provided the perfect canvas for bodyboarders to showcase their prowess, vying for the coveted title of Australian champion.

Glen Elliott, Surfing Australia Contest Director, believes they witnessed the best conditions ever seen for this division of the Australian Titles.

"Epic conditions for the bodyboarders, with each participant reveling in the high-performance peaks at North Haven," Elliot said.

"Solid 3-4 foot left and right peaks were the order of the day, complete with tube riding and big flips."

The open men's and open women's events were both dominated by riders from Western Australia.

The $1,000 winner's prize will undoubtedly assist with their cross-country travel expenses to this prestigious event.

Exciting Performances

Ebony Schell (Mindarie, WA) defeated her East Coast adversaries in the open women's, securing back-to-back Australian Titles.

She remarked:

"I think just the vibes here are amazing to complete with all my friends from WA and cheer each other along," said Schell.

"And obviously, to back up that win from last year, it builds up my confidence. I'll be back next year to defend my title."

Participants couldn't stop talking about the fantastic conditions they encountered throughout the event.

Kai de Legh (Perth, WA), the open men's winner, shared:

"The forecast was looking pretty sad at the start, then I think it was on the second day it picked up, and it was 3-4 feet, just pumping offshore glassy peaks, which was great to see."

At 21, Kai was the youngest finalist, surpassing his rival Jimmy Leayr (Newcastle, NSW) by a mere margin of 0.3 to claim the Australian Title.

In the over-35 masters, Wade Boeree (Kotara, NSW), originally from Western Australia and now representing the Newcastle Bodyboard Club, triumphed with an impressive heat total of 17.26, which included an individual score of 9.13.

For Wade, the contest transcends scores.

"I mostly compete just for the kinship, these guys are my brothers, and I enjoy the camaraderie that I've formed over the last 30 years of bodyboarding."

For all the participants in the bodyboard division, this competition is not just about titles or scores.

It's an amalgamation of camaraderie, the joy of surfing, and the memory of the fantastic waves that allowed them to compete to claim the title of Australian champion.

2023 Australian Bodyboard Titles | Champions

Open Men: Kai de Legh Padbury (Perth, WA)
Open Women: Ebony Schell (Mindarie, WA)
Under 18 Junior Men: Jai Taylor (Noosa, QLD)
Under 16 Cadet Open: Sunny Williams (Pacific Palms, NSW)
Under 14 Grommet Open: Archer Thoms (North Haven, NSW)
Over 35 Masters Men: Wade Boeree (Kotara, NSW)
Over 45 Men: Nathan Clark (Mentone, VIC)
Drop Knee: Jimmy Leayr (Newcastle, NSW)

The biodegradable mushroom-based bodyboard

2023-07-06T13:02:43+00:00

A groundbreaking eco-revolution is washing over the surfing industry, powered by a remarkable innovation: mushroom-based bodyboards.

Enter the Magical Mushroom Company (MMC).

Born in 2019 in Surrey, England, MMC first made waves as a packaging firm with a green thumb, crafting biodegradable packaging from mushroom roots called mycelium.

They've since produced over 1.5 million pieces of Mushroom Packaging, winning the attention of major brands like Selfridges, Lush, Diageo, and Raymarine.

Now, MMC and a team of surf industry veterans are joining forces to take this eco-innovation to the shores, carving out a niche in the world of bodyboards.

The co-conspirators on this venture include Tim Lupton, co-founder of Predn Surf Co in Cornwall; Chris Martin from People of the Earth; and Ryan Little, MMC's veteran industrial designer.

Their mission is to revolutionize the surf industry by replacing cheap, disposable bodyboards with a sustainable alternative.

The Magic Mushroom Recipe: Mycelium and Hemp

Mycelium, a natural polymer, is the core ingredient in MMC's sustainable bodyboards.

These fungal roots grow exponentially underground, serving as a nutrient source for forest flora and providing the water-resistant property to the boards.

The second magic ingredient is hemp.

Used in 98 percent of MMC's products, the woody core of hemp locks up around 15 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare, making these boards not just neutral but beneficial to our planet.

MMC also experiments with a wide variety of other natural by-products, including wheat and sawdust, and even discarded mushroom-based bodyboards.

Challenges and Triumphs

Every innovation faces hurdles, and MMC's mushroom-based bodyboards are no exception.

The goal is a bodyboard with the optimal balance of flexibility and stiffness, suitable for users of varying weights and ages.

Add in the necessity of an exterior layer for protection and longevity, and you've got a puzzle that challenges even the most skilled industrial designer.

Nevertheless, MMC has already achieved significant milestones:

The team has designed an eco-friendly alternative to disposable bodyboards, catering to casual surfers rather than competing with high-end boards;
With continued research, the perfect balance of flex and stiffness is within reach, promising an enjoyable experience for beginner and intermediate bodyboarding levels;
Various solutions have been explored to ensure the boards withstand the ocean's demands;
MMC has devised a comprehensive cost model, demonstrating that once the coating solution is resolved, these boards can hit the market at a price comparable to conventional boards;

A Commitment to Mother Earth

The mycelium and hemp-based bodyboards aren't just designed for fun - they're designed to last.

Once they've ridden their final wave, these boards don't end up in landfills.

Instead, they biodegrade naturally or can be ground down to feed the production of new boards, ensuring a cycle of sustainability.

The manufacturing process also plays its part in reducing carbon footprints.

MMC plans to use existing factories' spare capacity, collaborating with local partners to set up micro-plants for localized board production.

This reduces transportation emissions and supports local communities, riding the tide of sustainability from start to finish.

El Frontón claims life of Julian Gonzalez

2022-12-26T12:18:26+00:00

Professional bodyboarder Julian Gonzalez Perez passed away while surfing El Frontón in Gáldar, La Palmas, Gran Canaria.

The 29-year-old rider from Colombia lost his life on Christmas Eve in Spain's infamous slab.

On December 24, the emergency authorities received an alert for an accident that had taken place on the coastline.