Rare footage from the 1st world contest.
Somehow this crazy old footage from the very first world championship ended on the Internet – and right in front of our eyes. We’ve seen images before from the 2nd annual at Pipeline (1983), 1988, 1990, and 1994 editions. We’ve seen images even from the first edition in 1982… but never 20 minutes straight! That is not very common. It’s a debut for sure.
The image quality is not the best and basically the clip is compiled of raw images taken from the event. Not just action but awards ceremony as well. In this case, quality is a minor factor, we think. This is pure gold for the sport lovers/supporters.
Fact: From 1982 to 1994 the world champion was defined in one single event. This one held at the famous and spicy North Shore’s Banzai Pipeline – The International Morey Boogie Bodyboard Pro Championships.
In 1982 the boards were very flexible (no mesh and no stringers) and there were no sizes to chose, so imagine the bodyboard gang venturing into a portentous and challenging wave like the mistress Pipe. Yep, you’re right. Not easy and for sure not a everybody’s task. And if you look closely at, what these guys did on the waves were absolutely fantastic.
Four Hawaiians competed in the final between them. In the end Daniel Kaimi come in first (pic above), Jack Lindholm in second, 19 years old Mike Stewart placed third, and Joe Teipel fourth.
The event rules were questionable and not always perfect (mainly because it forced competitors to enter with Morey boards), but the beach was fully packed of people, there were riders competing (and sponsored), the bodyboard industry was involved, organization had material on hand to offer and 15,000 USD were awarded to the winner. Yes, fifteen thousand dollars just for the champion! Pfff, those were for sure the golden years.
Since then 41 years have passed and the boards, maneuvers and the sport evolved immensely. Sadly, general speaking, that made us think that nowadays you don’t get to see that anymore in bodyboarding. In fact it seems we are very, very far from that.
How we ended up here?
