On Bodysurfing

A fun little corner about all things bodysurfing

For any comments or suggestions, please send me an e-mail (theopepler@gmail.com).

Jump to:
Books - Chapters - Films - Videos - Magazines - Podcasts - Clubs
Contests - Social Media - Places - People - Equipment - Quotes - Articles

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DESCRIPTIONS

• Wikipedia
• Encyclopedia of Surfing
• Body Surfing and Handplanes (permanent exhibit at the California Surf Museum)

International Bodysurfing Day (IBSD) is celebrated on the 1st of May each year.

The English noun bodysurfing (or body surfing) is translated to other languages as:

Afrikaans: lyfbranderry
French: bodysurf
Hawaiian: kaha nalu
Hebrew: גלישת גוף
Norwegian: kroppssurfing
Portuguese: surfe de peito
Spanish: barrenar / pecho surf / correr pecho / pechito / playitas

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BOOKS

• The Mindless Ferocity of Sharks (2002)
  D'Arcy, Brett
  Coming-of-age novel set in Western Australia. Told through the eyes of Floaty-boy, an eleven-year-old bodysurfer, the story about his family and the disappearance of his older brother contains many good descriptions of his bodysurfing sessions.
• Bodysurfing (2009)
  De Mestre, Neville
  [reference]
• How to Body Surf (1970)
  Dewey, Nelson
  [review]
• The Art of Wave Riding (1931)
  Drummond, Ron
  [Full text on EOS]
  The first book on bodysurfing, written and self-published by Ron Drummond (Cloister Press, California) in 1931 with a print run of 500 copies. The 26-page volume celebrates the pleasure of swimming in waves, and contains step-by-step bodysurfing instructions. It has become a prized item among collectors of surfing literature, fetching large sums of money whenever one is sold.
  [Sources: Legendary Surfers, EOS, Swell Lines]

  A great deal of publicity has been given to Hawaiian swimmers riding waves with surfboards. Without a doubt it is a great sport, but in my estimation it cannot compare with the thrills, pleasures and exercise of bodysurfing.
  

• The Art of Wave Riding (2019)
  Drummond, Ron
  Reformatted, hardback version of the original 1931 book, with contributions by Kanoa Zimmerman, and foreword by Mark Renneker. Only twenty-five copies were made available, at a retail price of US$1,500.
  [Source: EOS]
• The Art of Body Surfing (1972)
  Gardner, Robert
  Full text on Open Library
  [review]
• Pablo Body Surfs (2011)
  Howard, Thomas N.
• The Progressive Art of Bodysurfing: A Style Manual (2011)
  Kosten, Paul A.
  [review]
• The Yoga of Bodysurfing: An Illustrated Guide to Water Pranayama (2018)
  Lane, David C.
  [ebook]

  [B]odysurfing is a process which doesn't necessitate a goal (save maybe successfully exiting a finely shaped tube on occasion). It is rather a method for being attuned to the present moment and foregoing the technological madness that has overtaken our civilization, where staring at computer screens for hours on end has become the norm. (p59)

• Secrets of a Kahuna Bodysurfer: A Spiritual Adventure Guide (1999)
  Lowell, Lani
• Soul Surfer Johnny (2010) [Open Library]
  Missett, Bill
  [Swell Lines review]
  Semi-fictional account of the good-natured Tyrony "gang", a group of bodysurfers and bodyboarders from Southern California. They travel to "Puerto Tranquilo" (Puerto Escondido) in Southern Mexico for a month-long surf trip, and through outrageous adventures learn about themselves and their place in the world. Contains many overt positive statements about spiritual mysticism.

  Bodysurfers were a strangely dedicated breed, more fanatical about their quirky individual sport than most board surfers. They were defiantly proud to be surfers, because they rode Mother Earth's energy with her---becoming one with the wave, not standing or laying on a board. (p27)

• Soul Surfer Johnny Returns (2011) [Open Library]
  Missett, Bill
  The first three chapters tell of Johnny's return to "Puerto Tranquilo". On this second trip, he brings along his friend, Rizzo, introducing him to the heavy waves at Playa Zicatela. Thereafter the book is an asynchronous, loosely connected collection of stories about wild characters, events, and some history of Puerto, with very little bodysurfing. In contrast to the first book in the series, the spiritual aspects are toned down almost completely.
• Soul Surfer Johnny Rips (2012)
  Missett, Bill
• Soul Surfer Johnny Rides (2013)
  Missett, Bill
  All three books in the trilogy (Soul Surfer Johnny, Soul Surfer Johnny Returns, and Soul Surfer Johnny Rips) in one volume, in addition to 15 new stories.
• Passion Bodysurf: Le Corps et la Vague (2008)
  Muguet, Marc, and Verlomme, Hugo
• The Plight of the Torpedo People (2013)
  Parmenter, Dave, and Jenkins, Bruce
  [article]
• Bodysurf: Aux Origines du Surf (2002)
  Verlomme, Hugo, and Masurel, Laurent
• The Bodysurfer's Guide to Life (2010)
  Wollard, Mark

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BOOK CHAPTERS

• Body Surfing and Bellyboarding
  Allen, J. L.
  Locked In: Surfing for Life (1970), 130-133. Barnes. [reference]
• Other forms of surfing: Body surfing
  Barnett, C.
  Hitting the Lip (1974), 162-163. Macmillan South Africa.
• Body Surfing
  Calhoun, C.
  Men and Waves (1966), 167-168. Coward-McCann. [Open Library]
• Traditional Hawaiian Surf Sports: Kaha Nalu - Bodysurfing
  Clark, J. R. K.
  Hawaiian Surfing (2011), 73-80. University of Hawaii Press. [Open Library]

  This sport of bodysurfing is real. It's pristine and pure. No excuses for board shape or size or brand or whatever. -- Cotta Schoenburg, p.74

• Body surfing
  Cook, J. J. and Romeika, W. J.
  Better Surfing (1968), 81-83. Kaye & Ward. [Open Library]
• Body surfing
  Dixon, P. L.
  The Complete Book of Surfing (1965), 126-134. Ballantine Books. [Open Library]

  There is more to body surfing than style and technique. There are feelings that must be experienced to be understood. Planing in on a six-foot wave that broke fifty or sixty yards from shore can make you feel like an express train racing across the plains. Letting out a great yodel and grinning at your friends on the beach as you ride head and shoulders out of the white water can make you feel as if you're on top of the world. (p134)

• Bodysurfing
  Dixon, P. L.
  The Complete Guide to Surfing (2001), 150-165. Lyons Press. [Open Library] [reference]
• Your Body is Enough
  Donohoe, Jon (compiled by: Pollard, Jack)
  The Surfrider (1965), 41-47. Murray. [reference]
• Body-surfing
  Farrelly, M. and McGregor, C.
  How to Surf (1968), 121-130. Sphere Books.
• Body-surfing
  Farrelly, M. and McGregor, C.
  This Surfing Life (1965), 122-128. Rigby.
• Body-surfing
  Farrelly, M. and McGregor, C.
  The Surfing Life (1967), 164-174. Arco. [reference]
• Riding the Waves
  Hutchings, Brian (ed. Jack Pollard)
  Swimming: Australian Style (1963), 117-122. Nicholas Kaye.

  This book is focused on swimming and, therefore, bodysurfing is discussed as an aspect of surf swimming. A diagram demonstrating how to catch a wave, notably without swim fins, is included. The author advises against the raised back leg bodysurfing style, which seem to have been popular at the time. Photos in this chapter are of boardriders rather than bodysurfers.

  A surfer uses the immense power of the ocean. He does not fight it. When he masters the art of moving on top of a vast wave and riding it swiftly to the shallows, there is in him an elation, an excitement he can't get any other way. (p117)

• Freddie Williams
  Jarratt, Phil
  Australia's Hottest 100 Surfing Legends (2011), pages??. Hardie Grant. [reference]
• Mark Cunningham
  Jenkins, Bruce
  North Shore Chronicles (2005), 73-89. Frog. [Open Library]
• Body Surfing
  Kahanamoku, D. and Brennan, J.
  Duke Kahanamoku's World of Surfing (1968), 159-167. Grosset & Dunlap. [reference]
• Body, Mat and Belly Board Surfing
  Kelly, J. M.
  Surf and Sea (1965), 50-66. Barnes. [reference1, reference2]
• Only a Body to Surf With - But It Suffices
  Klein, H. A.
  Surfing (1965), 120-140. Lippincott Company. [reference1, reference2]

  Emphasizes the progressive nature of bodysurfing, discussing twentieth century innovations such as swim fins, and evolution in bodysurfing styles. Notes that bodysurfing should not be thought of as boardsurfing without a board; it is a distinct surfing form that should be developed as such. Offers instructions for beginners through advanced bodysurfers, illustrated with diagrams and photos. Includes a short section on safety precautions while bodysurfing.

  What makes for beautiful body-surfing? The most satisfying body-surfing, both for participant and for onlooker, does not seem to be that which is marked mainly by gyrations nor by hairbreadth escapes from concussions or bone bruises. Rather, it is characterized by resourcefulness, variety, and adaptation. One body stance or position after another is assumed in response to, or even in anticipation of, the wave's swift-changing formations as the process of peaking, spilling, or crashing continues. (p137)

  [T]hrough sensitive timing and maneuvering, the body surfer achieves the beautiful effortlessness of movement that means he is at one with the water. (p140, attributed to Candy Calhoun)

  Body-surfing [...] is austere, limited by the surfer's own physique and bodily skills. It does not display all its wares in the window with neon lights blazing. (p140)

• Body Surfing
  Margan, F. and Finney, B. R.
  A Pictorial History of Surfing (1970), 144-151. Hamlyn. [Open Library]
• Bodysurfing the Wedge
  Munoz, M.
  No Bad Waves (2011), 40-41. Patagonia Books.

  I was a swimmer to begin with, and learned to bodysurf before I learned to surf. I've always loved the simplicity of bodysurfing and the idea of shaping the body for the wave. (pp.40-41)

• Types of Surfing
  Orbelian, George
  Essential Surfing (1982), 1-3. Orbelian Arts.

  Briefly describes different types of surfing, including bodysurfing. Bodysurfing and bellyboarding---the latter includes "bodysurfing with the aid of a planing device", possibly small and hand held---are said to be excellent presurfing interests, ways to familiarize the surfer with the ocean and waves. The full note on bodysurfing is quoted below.

  Bodysurfing -- Just a body and a wave. Usually bodysurfing is done with the aid of swim fins to help the bodysurfer generate the necessary speed to catch the wave. Once the wave has been caught the body actually becomes the planing surface. Skillful bodysurfers are capable of extraordinary rides and maneuvers. Some masters can actually ride the "energy" just beneath the face of the wave, without ever actually protruding out of the wave. You may come across seals or dolphins enjoying waves by bodysurfing with their uncanny skill. (p1)

• The ninth wave
  Pretor-Pinney, G.
  The Wave Watcher's Companion (2010), 287-319. Penguin. [Open Library]

  [Bodysurfing is] sort of like flying through the water. -- Jim Mensching, p.298

  All you need to bodysurf is a pair of flippers, and you don't necessarily even need them. [...] It's the purest form of wave riding---how seals and dolphins do it. They're the best bodysurfers, without a doubt. -- Jim Mensching, p.296

  [T]he bigger the belly, the better the bodysurfer. You watch the old-timers down at Point Panic, or wherever, and the ones with the tummies can do some spectacular things---they're almost like rudders. -- Shelley O'Brien, p.302

• Bodysurfing
  Wilson, J.
  Australian Surfing and Life Saving (1979), 67-74. Rigby. [reference]
• [chapter on bodysurfing??]
  Wilson, D.
  Learn to Surf (1970), pages??. European Surfing Co Ltd. [reference]

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FILMS

• Waves to Freedom (1988)
  A 23-minute, independently produced bodysurfing film made in Honolulu by Pennybacker Creative LLC, showing Mark Cunningham bodysurfing waves at Pipeline, Banzai Rocks and Waimea in the early 1980's. [Sources: New York Times, North Shore Chronicles (Bruce Jenkins, 2005, p.87), Sprout (film) credits]
• Primal Surf (2000)
  Film about the 2000 Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic, featuring Mike Stewart and Mark Cunningham, produced by Thomas Lynch.
  Note on the film from Surfer's Journal, Volume 10(2): 125.
• Pure Blue (2001)
  Produced by Thomas Lynch
• Come Hell or High Water (2011)
  [also available on Youtube]
• Dirty Old Wedge (2016)
  Film website
  Swell Lines article on film premiere (2016)
  Swell Lines film review (2016)
  
• Les Palmes & Le Couteau (2016)
  Interview with Yann and Joël Badina, two of the bodysurfers who starred in the film.
• Bodysurfin' The Movie (2016)
• Fils de baïnes le film (2019)
  
• Bodysurfin The Movie 2 (2019)
• Kalani - Gift From Heaven (2020)
  Beautifully shot film about the life of Brazilian bodysurfer, Kalani Lattanzi. Recounts several of his bodysurfing experiences, through interviews with his mother, friends and fellow surfers, and culminates in Kalani bodysurfing huge waves at Nazaré in Portugal. Mostly in Portuguese, with English subtitles.

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VIDEOS

There is a plethora of bodysurfing videos on the web, ranging widely in quality. This is a selection of my favourites.

• How To Body Surf With Keith Malloy - Surf Sufficient
• Fueled by Water - Mark Cunningham
• Mark Drewelow, Bodysurfer
• World Championships of Bodysurfing, Oceanside, 2017
• The Church of the Open Sky Extract - Dave Rastovich
• The Mike & Mark Show (from Sprout)
• The Matadors of the Wedge
• Good Breakers
• Da Hui Bodysurfing Expression Session
• Point Panic - South Swell June 2013
• Wedge Womp
• Bodysurfing in the 1960s
• The Wedge, 1960s
• Bodysurfing 2012
• Sandy Beach, 2014
• Point Panic, 1980
• Surfing zealots don't wait for warm weather to catch a wave
• Mark Drewelow: Two Bodysurfing Barrels at Black's Beach
• Wave of the Season - California Bodysurf Freakout (2020)
• This is bodysurfing
• Bodysurfing with Mark Cunningham and Friends in Hawaii
  Short documentary featuring Mark Cunningham, Bruce Lee and others bodysurfing at Sandy Beach, Point Panic and Pipeline.
• Wedge Sessions: Young Guns

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MAGAZINES

• Bodysurfer Magazine (2023)
  Free online magazine, based in the United Kingdom.
  Read on Issuu
• Palmipede (2014-2015)
  French bodysurfing web magazine, based in Biarritz. Published only two issues. All articles are side-by-side in English and French.
• Swell Lines (2014-2018)
  Monthly webzine by Eric Joyce and Kyle Stock, based in California and publishing forty issues from 2014 to 2018. Articles on a range of topics, including science and history of bodysurfing, book reviews, instruction, profiles of well known bodysurfers, photo pages, art and poetry. Used to be hosted at swelllinesmag.com, but recently (~2020) moved to a Wordpress.com site.
  Facebook page

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PODCASTS

• The Bodysurf Podcast

PODCAST EPISODES

• Bodysurfer Mark Cunningham on Accidental Fame, Saving the Planet, and Surf Culture (0:27)
  The Inertia Podcast, 30 Dec 2019
• Bodysurfing (0:14)
  Ockham's Razor, 15 Dec 2007
• Bodysurfing Big Waves With Kalani Lattanzi (0:21)
  Big Wave Small Talk, Episode 7, 22 Jun 2020
• Bodysurfing Guru Don McCredie | DMC Fins (1:35)
  Hourglass Podcast, 10 Dec 2018
• California Bodysurfing Championships (0:28)
  The Coastal Athlete Program, Episode 29, 10 Oct 2018
• Mark Cunningham (0:58)
  Soundings, Episode 49, 23 Jul 2024
• Mark Cunningham (1:16)
  Surf Splendor, Episode 401, 16 Feb 2022
• Mark Cunningham: Lifeguard, Bodysurfer, Artist (1:23)
  Get Out and SURF, 18 Mar 2019
• Mike Stewart (1:52)
  The Grin Reapers, Episode 18, 21 Aug 2018
• Ryan Masters Talks Bodysurfing Mavericks, The 2018 California Bodysurfing Championship, And A Life Spent In The Water Making Art (0:52)
  The Coastal Athlete Program, Episode 25, 3 Sep 2018
• Santa Cruz Bodysurfing Association (0:19)
  Off The Lip Radio Show, Episode 339, 21 Oct 2019
• SuperbiscutSC founder Jason Hackforth (0:53)
  The Coastal Athlete Program, Episode 58, 14 Jun 2020
• Swim Fin History (0:51)
  The Coastal Athlete Program, Episode 7, 23 Apr 2018
• Whomporama Bodysurf Competition | Alex Torres (0:43)
  Hourglass Podcast, 6 Jul 2018

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CLUBS / ASSOCIATIONS

Australia

• Bate Bay Body Bashers
• Budgy Boys (Cronulla)
• Cronulla Reef Kings (Cronulla)
• East Sydney Body Surfers
• Goldie Sliders (Gold Coast)
• Newcastle Bodysurfers (Newcastle, NSW)
• Northern Beaches Wompers (Sydney)
• South Coast Bodysurfers
• Southern Ocean Scavangers (Torquay, VIC)
• The Cobras (Avalon, NSW)
• Western Dugongs (City Beach, WA)
• Whomp Social Club (Gold Coast)
• Wommin Wompers

California

• Allsiders Bodysurfing Club (Santa Cruz)
• Chubascos Bodysurfing Association (Huntington Beach)
• Del Mar Bodysurfing Club
• Gillis Beach Bodysurfing Association ((Manhattan Beach)
• Golden Triangle Bodysurfing (San Clemente)
• Laguna Beach Body Surfing Club
• Pine Street Bodysurfing Team (Oceanside)
• San Clemente Body Surfing Club
• Santa Cruz Bodysurfing Association
• South Jetty Swells Bodysurfing Association (Ventura)
• Wedge Preservation Society
  Community group focused on preserving the environment and heritage of bodysurfing, and maintaining safety of water users, at Wedge in Newport Beach.
  
• USA Bodysurfing
  National governing body for competitive bodysurfing in the USA. Established in 2022 as a non-profit organisation to operate bodysurfing contests in co-location with USA Surfing events. Their stated long term aim is to see bodysurfing be included in the Olympic Games.
  BodySurfing competition to co-locate with 2022 USA Surfing events (2022)

Europe

• Bodysurf Italia (Italy)
• Bodysurf Portugal
• Euro Bodysurf Association (France)
• Saturday Morning Bodysurfing Club
• UK Bodysurfing Association (UK)
  The UK Bodysurfing Association was incorporated as a community interest company in 2016, with the aim of raising the profile of bodysurfing in the UK. The association is based in Devon in the southwest of England. Since 2017 they have hosted the annual UK National Bodysurfing Championships in Newquay.
  UK Companies House listing

Hawaii

• Hawaii State Bodysurfing Association
• Kaha Nalu Hawaii
• North Shore Bodysurfing Club (Haleiwa) [reference]

Rest of the world

• Argentine BodySurfing Association
• Atlantic Bodysurfing Club (New Jersey, USA)
• Bodysurfing Peru (Peru)
• International Bodysurfing Association
  Self-appointed, non-profit governing body of all amateur and professional bodysurfing and handboarding competitions, competitors, organisations, and clubs across the world. Six founding representatives from France, Morocco, the USA, Hawaii and Australia signed the association into being on 19 August 2018 in Oceanside, California. The aims of the organisation is to standardize bodysurfing contest judging criteria, create a main body for all bodysurfing events and contests, ensure that all groups can receive assistance and direction for insurance requirements and association registrations from a singular body, and beyond that to promote and represent the sport at higher levels.
  [Sources: Press release published in Swell Lines, Facebook page]
• Japan Bodysurfers Association (Japan)
• Manta Bodysurf Club (Mexico)
• Rockaway Beach Bodysurf Underground (USA)

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CONTESTS

Also see updated IBSA calendar.

Australia

• Coolum Wedge Body Surfing Festival (Queensland)
• Flat Rock Bodysurfing Invitational
• The Womp Comp
• Whomp Off Australia (Cronulla)
• Wommin Womp Comp (Fingal Head, NSW)

California

• California Championships (Lagunas Creek Beach)
• Huntington Beach Bodysurfing & Handboard Championships
• International Bodysurfing Championships (Manhattan Beach)
• Ocean Beach Big Wave Bodysurfing Contest (San Francisco)
• Ventura Bodysurfing Classic (Ventura)
• World Bodysurfing Championships (Oceanside)
• Zuma Beach Bodysurfing Classic

Europe

• Bodysurf Peniche Pro (Portugal)
• Coupe le France (France)
• Masters of the Temple (Nazaré, Portugal)
• Portuguese National Bodysurfing Championships (Cascais, Portugal)
• UK Bodysurfing Championships (Newquay, UK)
  Event website
  Article about inaugural contest (2017)

Hawaii

• Da Hui Bodysurfing Expression Session (Backdoor/Pipeline)
• Makaha Bodysurfing Classic
  The First Mākaha Bodysurfing Classic (Swell Lines, 2015)
• Makapu'u Bodysurfing Classic
• Oahu Bodysurfing Championships (Sandy Beach)
• Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic (Pipeline). Originally called the North Shore Expressive, it was the first modern-era surf contest held at Banzai Pipeline (Feb 1971), preceding the first Pipeline Masters (Dec 1971) by ten months. In 1980, as the AMF Voit/Lightning Bolt organised by Fred Hemmings and Alec Cooke, it briefly became the first professional bodysurfing contest. Lacking sponsorship, it soon returned to amateur status as the Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic and was later adopted by the North Shore Bodysurfing Club. From 2006 the organisers have found it difficult to secure contest permits from the City and County of Honolulu. As a result, the contest was run sporadically since then, often on part-day permits from other Pipeline contests.
  Event website
  Wikipedia entry
  Results 1981-2020
  Event origins
• Point Panic Experience (South Shore, Oahu)
• Pyramid Rock Bodysurfing Championship (Pyramid Rock Beach, Oahu). First held in 2006, to raise awareness and funds for the U.S. Marine Corps Wounded Warriors Regiment.
  Announcement about 8th event (2014)
  Report on the 9th event (2015)
• Redwings Memorial World Championships of Handboarding

Rest of the world

• Annual Open Bodysurfing Contest (Playa Zicatela, Mexico)
• Bodysurf Mehdia (Morocco)
• Itacoatiara Bodysurf Classic (Brazil)
• Intergalactic Body Surf Championships (AKA Whomporama) (North Carolina, USA)
• Rockaway Beach Annual Bodysurf Contest (New York City, USA)
• Rolling Retro, bodysurfing division (Llandudno, South Africa)
• Torneo Internacional de Bodysurf Las Escolleras (Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico)

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SOCIAL MEDIA

• Bodysurfing subreddit

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PLACES

California

• Avalanche (Ocean Beach, San Diego). There is a swimming/bodysurfing only spot just north of the Ocean Beach pier.
  [Sources: Reddit, Surfline, Wannasurf]
• Boomer Beach. A bodysurfing only spot located on the exposed western side of the Ellen Browning Scripps Park in La Jolla, California. No boardsurfing, including boogie boarding, is allowed at any time. On the right swell the waves can be large and powerful. Access via a scramble down the cliff.
  [Source: California Beaches]
• Marine Street Beach (La Jolla)
  [Source: Reddit]
• Mavericks
  EOS entry
  Bodysurfing Maverick's, With Kalani Lattanzi (Surfline, 24 Feb 2023)
• Wedge (Newport, CA)
  EOS entry
  How to surf the Wedge in Newport Beach (OC Register, 10 Jul 2017)
  Wedge Awards to give accolades to local wave riders who charge monster surf break (OC Register, 1 Jun 2021)
  Bodysurfers celebrate start of blackball season at the Wedge (OC Register, 1 May 2023)
• Wavehouse San Diego (Flowrider)
  Bodysurfing: Wavehouse San Diego (Youtube, 2013)
  Straight Outta Wompton: Bodysurfing the Wavehouse (Youtube, 2021)

Europe

• France. Bodysurfing in France was introduced "just after the war", according to Joel de Rosnay in Surfer article, Nov 1964.
  Frenchman with a passion (Surfer, 1964; via surfresearch.com.au)

• Miramar. Spot just north of Grande Plage in Biarritz, France. Board surfing is banned during lifeguard duty hours, leaving it free for bodysurfers. The offshore rock (Roche Ronde) focuses incoming swell to produce a wedging wave. [Source: Bodysurf: Aux Origines du Surf (2002)]

• Nazare. Big wave beach break at Praia do Norte in Portugal.
  EOS entry
  Watch Kalani Lattanzi Bodysurf 'Fun and Playful' Nazaré (Youtube video, 5 Nov 2018)

• Rumeli Feneri. A shallow righthand reef break in a village of the same name, on the Black Sea coast north of Istanbul. Rumeli is the epicentre of Viya, the indigenous bodysurfing culture which originated in the area. The surf spot has a reputation for localism.
  The Lost Surfers of the Black Sea (Magicseaweed, 15 May 2014; migrated to Surfline)

Hawaii

• Hamoa Beach (Maui)
  [Source: A guide to Hawaii's best beaches for bodysurfing]
• Hapuna Beach (Big Island)
  [Source: A guide to Hawaii's best beaches for bodysurfing]
• Hulopoe Beach (Lanai)
  [Source: A guide to Hawaii's best beaches for bodysurfing]
• Kalapaki Beach (Kauai)
  [Source: A guide to Hawaii's best beaches for bodysurfing]
• Kealia (Kauai)
  [Source: Ambrose, G. (2006). Surfer's Guide to Hawai'i, 164-166]
• Makaha
  [Source: Ambrose, G. (2006). Surfer's Guide to Hawai'i, 59-62]
  EOS entry
• Makapuu. Pounding shorebreak in the beautiful Makapuu Beach Park on southeast Oahu. Picks up a lot of swell from easterly trade winds. Use of hard surfboards along the beach is banned.
  [Source: Ambrose, G. (2006). Surfer's Guide to Hawai'i, 123-127]
• Maluaka Beach (Maui)
  [Source: A guide to Hawaii's best beaches for bodysurfing]
• Pe'ahi (Jaws). Big wave reef break on Maui. Bodysurfed by Kalani Lattanzi in 2021.
  Jaws Kalani Lattanzi Crazy Bodysurfing Barrel (Youtube video, 3 Nov 2021)
  Watch: Biggest Successful Bodysurf Wave Ever? (Surfline, 4 Nov 2021)
• Pipeline
  [Source: Ambrose, G. (2006). Surfer's Guide to Hawai'i, 93-98]
  EOS entry
• Polihale (Kauai)
  [Source: Ambrose, G. (2006). Surfer's Guide to Hawai'i, 152-154]
• Point Panic (Oahu)
  Mark Cunningham Talks Bodysurfing Point Panic (PBS Hawaii, 31 Aug 2023)
• Po'olenalena Beach (Maui)
  [Source: A guide to Hawaii's best beaches for bodysurfing]
• Sandy Beach (Oahu)
  Most popular bodysurfing spot on Oahu's South Shore. Rough shore break with undertow, responsible for many neck and back injuries.
  [Source: Ambrose, G. (2006). Surfer's Guide to Hawai'i, 132-135]
  EOS entry
  Why this treacherous Hawaiian beach, Obama's favorite, keeps breaking people's necks (Washington Post, 26 Oct 2015)
• Waimea Bay
  [Source: Ambrose, G. (2006). Surfer's Guide to Hawai'i, 89-92]
  EOS entry
• Waioi'o (Big Island, Hawaii)
  [Source: Ambrose, G. (2006). Surfer's Guide to Hawai'i, 195-197]
• White Sands Beach (Big Island)
  [Source: A guide to Hawaii's best beaches for bodysurfing]

South Africa

• Dungeons. Big-wave surf spot in Cape Town, South Africa, first bodysurfed by Robin Möhr in August 2009. He used a handplane and was assisted by a jet-ski crew.
  Hand Guns at Dawn (Wavescape, 14 Jan 2010)

Rest of the world

• Itacoatiara (Brazil)
  Surf de Peito and the Itacoa Legends 2016 (Swell Lines, 2016)
• Puerto Escondido (Mexico). The heavy beachbreak at Playa Zicatela is host to an annual bodysurfing contest. Injuries and drownings were commonplace before the formation of the local lifeguard corps. The beach and town forms the backdrop for Bill Missett's Soul Surfer Johnny trilogy.
  EOS entry
  Barchi Quadros, The Gutsiest Bodysurfer at Puerto Escondido (Youtube video, 2019)
• Teahupoo (Tahiti). Heavy left reefpass break near the southwestern tip of Tahiti. Bodysurfed by Mark Cunningham and Mike Stewart in Come Hell or High Water (2011).
  EOS entry

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PEOPLE

• Browne, Bud. Early surf moviemaker from Southern California, long regarded as one of the best bodysurfers.
  EOS entry
• Burnham, Tim
• Calhoun, Candy. Champion boardsurfer and bodysurfer from California. Born in 1945, she was one of the first two women -- Nancy Corfman was the other -- to bodysurf Wedge (August 1962) and also the first woman to bodysurf Pipeline (January 1963).
  Calhoun family EOS entry
  Bodysurfing the Pipeline (Surf Guide, 1964)

  [Candy Calhoun] was great on a surfboard and won the women's West Coast Surfing Championships in 1963. But her real love was bodysurfing. She swam like a seal. When you saw her dive into the water and come up with her wet hair slicked back, you just knew this person was meant to be in the water. Some people are like that -- they're more at ease in the water than out. -- Mike Doyle, from Morning Glass (1993, p105)

• Churchill, Owen. Inventor of the swim fin.
  The Smithsonian entry
• Cunningham, Mark. Former Hawaiian lifeguard, one of the best and competitively most successful bodysurfers from the 1970s to the 1990s. Multiple time winner of the Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic and the World Bodysurfing Championship.
  EOS entry
  Legendary Surfers page
  Kaku: Mark Cunningham Profile on EOS (1994)
  Interview on EOS (2005)
  Mark Cunningham on how to bodysurf, on EOS (2005)
  Profile on The Inertia (2012)
  Swell Lines profile (2014)
  Mark Cunningham interview (video, 2016)
  Mark Cunningham interview (Surfers In Residence video, 2021)
  Mark Cunningham: the long ride of the timeless bodysurfer (2023)
  Mark Cunningham interview (Soundings podcast, 2024)
  

  Notable quotes:

  I've got basic bodysurfing tips: know how to swim, have a suit that is going to stay on, kick like hell, and come out of the water smiling.
  

  The ideal Pipeline wave is a half-drop. I like to take off on an angle and start trimming as soon as I can. The top third of the wave, that's where all the speed is.
  

  When you're that low to the water, your sense of speed is just phenomenal. And it's not just riding waves, it's swimming through them, it's diving under them, opening your eyes underwater as you watch this thing impact right in front of you. And you just knife right through there, between the bottom and where those whitewater fingers are tryin' to grab you. Just the whole dance out there. You're like a piece of the ocean.
  

  It's a sort of perverse appeal of the sport for me that there will never be a Bodysurfing World Tour or bodysurfing media and magazines.
  

  You have to be in harmony with the waves. It's sort of like dancing with them, really. A friend called it "downhill swimming". I like that description.
  

• Cunningham, Mike
• David, Fred
• Deets, Greg
  Greg Deets - A Natural Water Brother
• Drewelow, Mark
• Drummond, Ron "Canoe"
  EOS entry
  Interview on EOS (1988)
  [Sources: Legendary Surfers blog, Legendarysurfers.com]
• Dubes, David
• Enoka, Sean
  Fin Quiver: Sean Enoka (Swell Lines, 2014)
  All Stripped Down: The Pure Essence of Waveriding with Sean Enoka (Birdwell blog, 2015)
• Erraji, Ahmed. Moroccan big-wave bodysurfer, nicknamed "Hijo del mar" ("Son of the sea").
  Meet Hijo Del Mar: The Underground Big Wave Bodysurfer (Wavelength, 16 Aug 2019)
• Ford, Dave
  Ohana: The Fords (Swell Lines, 2015)
• Gardner, Robert "Judge"
• Grieumard, Patrice
• Handley, Hal
  Salty Fins: Hal Handley (Swell Lines profile, 2014)
  In Bodysurfing, Antibodies, He Knows What He's Doing (Los Angeles Times, 1990)
• Heath, Fran. One of the first people to bodysurf Pipeline and Waimea.
  ["Continuing to bodysurf, Fran was one of the first to do so at Pipeline and Waimea." -- Legendary Surfers]

  What happened with [Fran] is, he surfed in the '30s and then about the time of the war, he started to shy away from it. [...] At one point, he told John Kelly and I that he got kind of bored with surfing. Then, after the war, we tried to get him interested again, you know. But, he was sort of a loner, in a way. So, he did a lot of bodysurfing and, you know, an individual thing rather than a group thing. -- Wally Froiseth, interviewed by Malcolm Gault-Williams (April 3, 1996)

• Hegoas, Matias
• Kahanamoku, Duke. Considered the father of modern surfing, from Honululu, Hawaii. Bodysurfed on Long Island (New York) in 1912.

  ["Duke recalled that he did not board surf on Long Island in 1912. 'I did bodysurf there [in New York, on Long Island] – Far Rockaway and Sea Gate and places like that. But the boards – I never had a chance to carry a board or anything like that'" -- Legendary Surfers]

  EOS entry
  

  Notable quotes:

  Duke Kahanomoku calls attention to the fact that to catch a wave for "body surfing," in the true Hawaiian manner, it is necessary to swim before the breaker using the modern crawl stroke, with a flutter kick. As a boy, Duke "body-surfed" and swam the crawl stroke before the world had a name for it. Also the ancient Hawaiians, adept at "body surfing," swam the crawl stroke as part of the sport; therefore, the origin of the so-called new crawl swimming stroke dates back to antiquity. -- Tom Blake
  

  I can say Duke is the world's outstanding body-surfer. I have watched him ride the surf in perfect style here in Hawaii and in the mainland United States, without a board. On one occasion at Balboa, California, I saw him body-surf a big comber for over two hundred yards. When body surfing, Duke can slide the wave left or right at will. This greatly surprised the Australians as they had never seen it done before, although they were familiar with shooting the waves without a board. -- Tom Blake
  

• Kapela, Steve
• Keaulana, Richard "Buffalo"
  EOS entry
  Buffalo: By Dr. Hal Handley (Swell Lines profile, 2014)
  

  [Buffalo Keaulana] looked so natural streaking across the waves like a seal. I actually expected him to turn and swim out to sea when he was done. He was one of the best bodysurfers on the face of the earth. If you've ever watched guys get right in the pocket and do the roll deal, Buffalo was the guy who invented that. -- Greg Noll
  

• King, Don. Cameraman from Hawaii, and winner of the 1992 Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic. Featured in Come Hell or High Water with his son, Beau.
  EOS entry
• Lattanzi, Kalani. Big-wave bodysurfer from Rio de Janeiro. Notable for bodysurfing some of the biggest waves ever attempted, and being the first person to bodysurf big waves at all three of Jaws, Nazaré, and Mavericks. Featured in the biographical film, Kalani - Gift From Heaven (2020).
  The Man Who Surfs the World's Biggest Waves Without a Board (InsideHook, 2020)
  Riding the World's Biggest Waves, Without a Surfboard (New York Times, 2022)
  Bodysurfing Maverick's, With Kalani Lattanzi (Surfline, 24 Feb 2023)
• Lynch, Thomas. Produced a number of high level bodysurfing videos in the late 90's to early 00's, notably Primal Surf (2000) and Pure Blue (2001) which contain footage mostly of Pipeline. Website at www.bodysurfingvideo.com no longer exists.
  [Source: Verlomme, H., and Masurel, L. (2002). Bodysurf: Aux Origines du Surf, pp. 74-76.]
• Malloy, Keith. Former professional surfer from California. Produced the film, Come Hell or High Water, which sparked renewed global interest in bodysurfing in the 2010s.
• Masurel, Laurent
• McCredie, Don
• Mohr, Robin
  Salty Fins: Robin Mohr (Swell Lines profile, 2014)
• Obama, Barack. The 44th president of the USA was born in Hawaii and spent his teenage years there. He bodysurfed at Sandy Beach (Oahu) on a well publicised occasion in 2008.
  Obama Bodysurfs In Hawaii (Huffington Post, 14 Sep 2008)
• Redington, Don. Early Wedge bodysurfer, known as "The White Whale".
  [Source: Swell Lines]
• Romanosky, Ron
  EOS entry
• Rose, Meredith
• Simpson, Fred. Wedge bodysurfer from the early 1960s until 2000. Grew up in Long Beach (California), graduated from UCLA and, after a short period in the army, worked as a Xerox agent. Founder of the Pacific South Swell company and inventor of Viper Surfing Fins.
  Quite a ride for Viper's inventor (Orange County Register, 2014)
  Salty Fins: Fred Simpson (Swell Lines profile, 2016)
• Starky, Sean. Wedge bodysurfer and founder of Yucca Fins.
  Fin Quiver: Sean Starky (Swell Lines, 2014)
  Interview (Matsurfers, 2020)
• Stewart, Mike
  EOS entry
  Will the World's Greatest Surfer Please Lie Down? (Surfer's Journal, 2006)
  Interview (Grin Reapers podcast, 2018)
• Sullivan, Mike
  Salty Fins: Mike Sullivan (Swell Lines profile, 2014)
• Tanna, Tommy
  Surf Shooting Down Under (History of Surfing)
  Genesis 1788 - 1900 (surfresearch.com.au)
  The Surfing Tommy Tanna (Journal of Pacific History)
• Thoman, Kevin "Mel"
  24 fun facts about Mel Thoman (Slyde blog)
• Wade, Terry
  Wikipedia article on Terry Wade
• Wilcox, Kanealii
• Williams, Fred. One of the first Australian bodysurfers, from a wealthy family in Manly. He was taught to bodysurf at the end of the 19th century by their family gardener, Tommy Tanna, a New Hebridean islander. Ocean bathing was still banned in Australia at that time. Despite being an excellent bodysurfer and trendsetter, pioneering surf exploration and a beach centred lifestyle, Fred became increasingly reclusive with age and died alone in Dobroyd Point just prior to the second World War.
  [Source: Australia's Hottest 100 Surfing Legends (2011), Phil Jarratt]
  Genesis 1788 - 1900 (surfresearch.com.au)

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EQUIPMENT

Swim fins
History of the swim fin (Swell Lines, 2014)
Historical UDT swim fin imagery (Surfmatters blog, 2011)
The history and evolution of the swim fin (Surfer Today, 2022)

• Churchill
• Dafin
• DMC
• Duck Feet
• Hydro
• Kpaloa
• MS Viper
• Viper. Created in 1978 by Fred Simpson as a purpose built bodysurfing fin, Viper Surfing Fins were first distributed in 1981 through the Pacific South Swell company. The design has a 7-inch blade and tall side walls to move water directly off the end of the fins, and a single drainage hole on the bottom. The original design also had bottom rails, which were removed from later versions to make the fins easier to walk in. A shorter version with a 5-inch blade was added later, as well as the Viper Vector line, made with a synthetic, lighter rubber.
  [Source: Swell Lines]
• Voit UDT
• Yucca

Handplanes

• Enjoy handplanes
• Hess hand planes
• Taylor's Mistake Handski
• Slyde
  On 'Shark Tank': Investors bite for Slyde Handboards of San Clemente (OC Register, 20 Apr 2016)
• Sole
• WAW

Oddities

• BodyGun. A chest-strapped planing device produced in the early 2000's by South African inventor, Gary Barsdorf. Essentially a mini bodyboard attached to the chest with a 4-point harness.
  Article from Popular Mechanics (Sep 2002)
• Hydrofoil handplane. Conventional handplane with winged foil attached to the bottom, designed by Ben Wei (Japan).
  Hydrofoil PocketRocket Handplane (2015)
  DMC MiniBORD Hydrofoil Handplane (2018)
• Mini boogie boards. Small handplanes made from similar materials as full sized entry level bodyboards. Popular from the 2010's, produced by various bodyboard manufacturers.
  Catch Surf Womper model
  Pride Romeo 21 model
• Mini surfmat. Small inflatable, lightweight nylon surfmat created by British surfmat builder, Graeme Webster, to combine the experience of mat surfing with bodysurfing.
  Information at Matsurfers.com
• Sumo tube. Large inflatable bodysuit produced by Sportstuff, originally intended for tubing behind a ski boat.
  Sportstuff Sumo with Splashguard (2014)
  Sumo tube and inflatable surfing shorebreak action in Hossegor (2016)
• Trays. Plastic fast food serving trays used as planing devices. USA based Tray Surf Co sells models in two different sizes, with plastic fins fixed to the bottom of the trays.
  Eating barrels for breakfast with the Trayboard (Surfer Today, 5 Jul 2018)
  Tray Surf Co
  The Bodysurf Podcast - Episode 033 (Matthew Gebhard - Tray Surf Co) (0:37)
• WaveWrecker. Bodysurfing wetsuit created by Nick Gadler, with eleven foam fins to provide increased buoyancy and lift when bodysurfing.
  Alter your shape, increase your buoyancy — improve your performance! (Medium, 9 Oct 2015)
  El Cajon doctor’s unique wetsuit turns heads, carves up waves (San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb 2016)

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Bodysurfing quotes

Jamie Brisick

This is why I love bodysurfing. This is why, in my recent trips to Rio, I end up bodysurfing more than board surfing: I'm still learning new things. At age 47 I may be declining as a surfer, but as a bodysurfer I'm unquestionably improving. The tadpole grows feet and hops across the terra firma. The surfer sheds board and swims off to eternity.

Rio is the best bodysurfing city in the world. Those same iconic granite rocks that brought us Sugarloaf and Corcovado also bring us ricocheting wedges that zipper off the north and south corner of every beach.

Woody Brown

We never found any part of Dickie. He just vanished. We did find the board, just shattered to pieces. I talked to an army guy who had been on the beach that night, and he told me, "We never did see that other guy after he got wrapped up in that last big wave." Those were his words: "wrapped up in that last big wave." Based on that, I figured Dickie---who had so much guts---tried to bodysurf the wave. The fact that he got "wrapped up" could only mean that he was up in the curl, right? How else would you express it? So, I figured he tried to bodysurf in.
-- recounting the story of how Dickie Cross lost his life at Waimea Bay on December 22, 1943

Dwight Crum

Another area that has been neglected by many beginning surfers is body surfing. They learn to swim a few yards and then by-pass this wonderful sport completely to learn surfboard riding. Body surfing comes in very handy to the surfer who has lost his board and faces a long swim. It is a very good conditioner for learning to surf, timing the take-off, judging the waves, and being at home in the surf. It also takes up the void during the day when the wind blows unfavorably for surfboard riding or when local regulations prohibit surfboard riding.

Midget Farrelly

Catching a wave with the body alone was probably the original method of surfing, and to many surfers it is the greatest thrill of all. There is no board to worry about, no artificial aid---just you and the sea.

Joe Quigg

I had a style of bodysurfing the Wedge, where I'd drop in on my side, like it was a rail, and curve it to be the right shape to go up and down the wave. Most people plane with one arm back, one arm over, but I rode on my shoulder, like it was a rail.

Matt Warshaw

Twenty therapeutic minutes in the shorebreak means a quick dozen tubes attached to a dozen miniature thrashings, and I walk up the beach afterwards just glowing. Every time. Never had a bad bodysurfing session in my life.

Bodysurfing is the only hate-proof form of surfing.

Bodysurfing was here first, and it'll be here last. Seals and dolphins will still be riding waves after the human race finally pearls for good. And if we drag the seals and dolphins down with us, cockroaches will eventually figure it out.

Unknown

The people of Kauai generally held the credit of exceeding all others in the sports of the Islands. At one time, they sent their champion surf rider to compete with the chiefs in the sport on Hawaii, who showed them man's ability to shoot, or ride with the surf without a surfboard.
-- From 1822 publication Hawaiian Annuals

---

ARTICLES

• Bodysurfing: Pure Connection to the Water
  Ahern, M.
  Hilltromper, 12 August 2016
• Black Sea breakers: exploring Turkey's ancient surf scene
  Allan, Tom
  Financial Times, 14 February 2020
• Carlsbad's Handley takes academic approach to competitive bodysurfing
  Bair, S.
  The San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Aug 2005.
• When Body is Soul
  Barilotti, Steve
  Surfer's Path (year??), Issue 4: 62-65.
• Minimalist ride: Catching a wave without a board
  Barlow, Bill
  Shore News Today, 3 Aug 2012.
• The perfect storm
  Barlow, Thomas
  London Financial Times, 2004
• The Lure of the Wedge, California's Freakish Wave
  Brandt, Ryan
  New York Times, 9 Jun 2006
• The Rise of Australian Bodysurfing 2019
  Brbot, Nick
  WAW Handplanes blog, 1 September 2019
• Bodysurfing Lessons From A Human Fish
  Brisick, Jamie
  Outerknown Blog, 15 May 2019
• The Rush of Bodysurfing in Rio: A Traveler's Guide
  Brisick, Jamie
  The Wall Street Journal, 3 January 2019
• Torpedo
  Burkard, C. and McKenna, T.
  Surfer's Journal (2011), 20(6): 54-67.
• Bodysurfing the Pipeline
  Calhoun, Candy
  Surf Guide, July 1964
• 'Wedge Crew' deserves induction
  Carroll, Corky
  Orange County Register, 28 October 2011
• Bodysurfers describe their passion for the ultimate wild waves at the Wedge
  Connelly, Laylan
  Orange County Register, 1 April 2016
• Quite a ride for Viper's inventor
  Connelly, Laylan
  Orange County Register, 11 June 2014
• Sport to stage first UK championship
  Cornish Times, 15 February 2017
• The Man Who Surfs the World's Biggest Waves Without a Board
  Crowley, Brendan
  Inside Hook, 23 June 2020
• How to Bodysurf
  Cunningham, M.
  Surfing, June 2005.
• Body chemistry
  Cunningham, M. and Thoman, M.
  Surfer's Journal (1999), 8(4): 30-39.
• The art of bodysurfing
  DeAngelis, Martin
  The Press of Atlantic City, 1 Sep 2012.
• Mathematics and bodysurfing
  De Mestre, N.
  Australian Mathematical Society Gazette (2004), 31(4): 244-250.
  [my thoughts on this paper]
• Next wave forms their body of work
  Dougherty, J.
  Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug 2016.
• The lip comes down
  Duane, D.
  Outside, 1 Aug 2004.
• Why Surf Schools Should Focus on Bodysurfing Before Board Riding
  Dunlap, Spencer
  The Inertia, 11 March 2020
• Mark Drewelow Is Going to Change the Way the World BodySurfs
  Ekman, Tom
  The Inertia, 9 March 2017
• The Best Bodysurfers in the World Have Some Pretty Rad Lay Days
  Ekman, Tom
  The Inertia, 16 August 2017
• Why the Best Gather Here for the 'World Cup of Bodysurfing'
  Ekman, Tom
  The Inertia, 1 August 2017
• How To Bodysurf
  Evans, Paul
  Wavelength, 15 Aug 2019
• Country Club Hours - Sean Starky
  Faludi, Matt
  Surfer's Journal (2024), 33(3): 28-31.
• But I Surfed Instead...
  Flemister, B.
  Surfer, 27 Oct 2016.
• The Panic response
  Flemister, B.
  Surfer's Journal (2018), 27(1): 76-87.
• Bodysurfing
  Foley, K.
  Men's Fitness (1998), 14(7): 78.
The lost surfers of the Black Sea
Gray, S.
Magicseaweed (2014); migrated to Surfline
• BodyGun Wave Riding
  Gromer, J.
  Popular Mechanics, Sep 2002
• Plight of the Torpedo People
  Hamlet, C.
  Surfer, 5 Jul 2013.
• Vertigo - Dodging Floaters at Fort Point
  Handley, Hal
  Surfer's Journal (2001), 10(3): 122-123.
• Bodysurfing San Francisco When the Epic Winter Swells Arrived (Part 1)
  Harris, Josh
  The Frisc, 26 Feb 2021
• Bodysurfing San Francisco When the Epic Winter Swells Arrived (Part 2)
  Harris, Josh
  The Frisc, 26 Feb 2021
• Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic Won By Mike Stewart
  Hartvigsen, S.A.
  Beachcomber, 27 Feb 1991: 5.
• Joel Badina wins 9th Annual Pyramid Rock Bodysurfing Championship
  Hawaii News Now, 9 February 2015
• Flow Motion
  Howells, R.E.
  National Geographic Adventure (2006), 8(6): 36.
• Surf's up -but a bit too much for our liking
  Hoyle, Ben
  The Times [London, England], 4 Feb 2006: 18.
• Bodysurfers and Australian beach culture
  Jaggard, E.
  Journal of Australian Studies (2007), 31(90): 89-98.
• Dream day for bodysurfing at dreary Ocean Beach
  Jenkins, Bruce
  SFGate, 6 Nov 2011
• Kaku - Mark Cunningham profile
  Jenkins, Bruce
  Surfer's Journal (1994), 3(3): 102-121.
  Edited version available on EOS
• Will the World's Greatest Surfer Please Lie Down?
  Jenkins, Bruce
  Surfer's Journal (2006), 15(4): 86-109.
• The SURFER Interview with Mark Cunningham
  Johnson, J. and Malloy, C. (eds.)
  Surfer (2005), 46(11): 84-92.
• The closest thing to being born
  Kirkpatrick, C.
  Sports Illustrated, 22 Feb 1971, 60-72.
• Seek the Surface; Kalani Lattanzi
  Kojin, Adrian
  Surfer's Journal (2023), 31(6): 20-23.
• A Bodysurfer's Guide: When to Use a Handplane
  Leitch, T.
  The Inertia, 3 Oct 2016.
• No shoes...no board...no problem
  Lowers, Gaelen
  States News Service, 14 Jun 2012.
• Bodysurf Classic
  Lukach, Mark
  Surfer, 7 Nov 2011
• Riding the World's Biggest Waves, Without a Surfboard
  Manley, Kelley
  New York Times, 20 May 2022
• Mark Cunningham: The Bodysurfer Profile
  Marcus, Ben
  The Inertia, 3 Jul 2012.
• The OB Big Wave Bodysurfing Challenge
  Masters, Ryan
  ryanmasters831.com (publication date unknown)
• Wild Coast Whomp
  Masters, R.
  Hilltromper (publication date unknown)
• Bodysurfing: The Ecstatic Motion
  Masters, R.
  Hilltromper, 17 October 2014.
• Skin of the ocean - Notes from the 2017 Pipeline Bodysurfing Contest
  Masters, R.
  Surfer's Journal (2017), 26(5): 120.
• USA Bodysurfing Contest Ignites Olympic Dreams at Steamer Lane
  Masters, Ryan
  Good Times, 4 Apr 2023
• What lies beneath - Bodysurfing in the key of heavy
  Masters, R.
  Surfer's Journal (2016), 25(5): 90-93.
• Whomping for Gold
  Masters, Ryan
  Surfer's Journal (2022), 35(1): 121.
• Bodysurfers from Oceanside to the IB Pier
  Matthews, Neal
  San Diego Reader, 8 Sep 1983
• Quarantine Chronicles - Sean Starky
  Matsurfers.com (2020)
• Legendary Hawaiian Waterman Discusses His Career
  Mauro, Chris
  Surfer, 22 July 2010
• The bodysurfers: the battle for north side of the Manhattan Beach pier
  McDermott, M.
  Easy Reader News, 4 Aug 2018.
• Bodysurfers tangle with the guard
  McDermott, M.
  Easy Reader News, 19 Aug 2018.
• Greg Deets - A Natural Water Brother
  McKnight, Ken
  All About Surf, 15 March 2005
• On the Body
  Mills, Peter
  Surfabout (1966), 4(2): 20-24.
• Del Mar Bodysurfing Club hopes unofficial 'world record' ride will stoke a far bigger wave
  Montes, Sebstian
  Del Mar Times, 11 April 2018
• Wave rider: Lauren Crux's goal is to populate the ocean with more women
  Nelson, M. B.
  Women's Sports and Fitness (1991), 13(4): 32.
• Body language on the Bukit
  O'Leary, P.
  Surfer's Path (2007), Issue ??: 90-97.
• The Surfing Tommy Tanna: Performing Race at the Australian Beach
  Osmond, Gary
  Journal of Pacific History (2011), 46(2): 177-195.
• A guide to Hawaii's best beaches for bodysurfing
  Paiva, Derek
  Hawai'i Magazine, 15 Jan 2010
• Mark Cunningham And Mike Stewart On The Best Swim Fins
  Parker, R.
  Stab Magazine, 11 February 2019
• The challenge of surfing the big ones
  Pennybacker, M. E. S.
  The New York Times, 5 Sep 1999
• How Bodysurfing Can Help Your Surfing, with Mark Cunningham
  Pierson, Dashel
  Surfline, 1 Nov 2019
• Hand guns at dawn
  Pike, Steve
  Wavescape, 14 Jan 2010
• Mark Cunningham: The Human Pintail
  Reynolds, M.
  The Surfers View, 3 Nov 2013
• Surf Simply Interviews - Mark Cunningham
  Roach, H.
  Surf Simply (2016)
• Our Wedge - Our Way
  Romanosky, Ron
  Surfer's Journal (2005), 14(2): 36-47.
• A lifeguard looks back on 29 years of surf, sand and saving lives
  Ryan, Tim
  Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 1 May 2005
• The Bodysurfers Workout Guide
  Slyde Handboards
• The World's Five Best Waves For Bodysurfing
  Struck, E.
  Stab Magazine, 19 Nov 2013
• 13 female bodysurfers ride a single wave in Del Mar
  Surfer Today, 28 Mar 2018
• How to bodysurf using a handplane
  Surfer Today
• Mark Cunningham: the long ride of the timeless bodysurfer
  Surfer Today, 17 Nov 2023
• On May 1, celebrate International Bodysurfing Day
  Surfer Today, 29 Apr 2021
• Rasta's Five Essential Tips For Good Bodysurfing
  Surfline, 24 Jul 2013
• The El Rollo rocks Oahu
  Syken, Bill
  Sports Illustrated (2004), 100(8): A4-A6.
• A Tree for a Calendar
  Taylor, Kimball
  Surfer's Journal (??), 22(2): 96-103.
• BODY WAVES : Surfers Take to the Water Without Much Gear, Looking for a Free Ride
  Teaford, Elliott
  Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug 1988
• Wave action
  Tesler, Pearl
  Current Science, 6 May 2005: 4-6
• Bodysurfing in Cape Town waters - at one with the waves
  The South African, 19 Mar 2021
• Bodysurfing with Mark Cunningham
  Thomas, B.
  Surfer, 22 Jul 2010
• Surfing Below Sea Level
  Wallace, M.
  SurfPulse, 19 May 2007
• Whomp Off Australia 2018
  WAW Handplanes Blog, 2 Oct 2018
• Bodysurfing URBNSURF
  WAW Handplanes Blog, 5 Mar 2020
• Tom Marr & The Bodysurfing Family
  WAW Handplanes Blog, 21 Aug 2020
• Time Is Wiping Out Wedge Surf Purists
  Weikel, Dan
  Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep 2002
• Her Regency - The bracing life of Carol Shuldt
  Yogis, Jaimal
  Surfer's Journal (??), 18(3): 52-61.
• They're gnarlier watermen than anyone
  Zerman, M.
  (publication unknown), 21 Apr 2001

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© 2018 - 2024 CC BY-SA Theo Pepler