What can I say about the history of Bodyboarding in NZ, we have come a long and way and have learnt alot.  
   
I started in 1989 and I can say that the early pioneers of the sport were guys like Adrian Bray, Jay Otti, Kyle Adams, Darron Moller, Roman Greening, Gavin Murdoch, Greg Roebuck, and the Parata brothers.    
   
Adrian was the NZ National champ for several years, from the late 80's to the early 90's.  I remember in 1992 at the Coca-Cola Surfing Nationals (my first Nationals where we only had one divison for the boodgers) seeing Adrian bust a 360 air, and at that time the only ones I use to see doing that sort of stuff was Mike Stewart in the mags.  Adrian was ahead of his time for a NZer in NZ - He should of been competing in Aussie or the States.   
   
Jay Otti and Kyle Adams were the Tara boys that also use to dominate in their free surfing as well as competition.  Both were rippers, both on DK and prone and showed me that you dont have to lie down and spin to win to do well in competitions and in your free surfing.  These guys revealed to me and surfers that respect is given to those who surf powerfully and smoothly.  Korn has shown this to all the kiddies out there with his recent come back to the National arena and is rated as one of a very select few who truly tear shit up on Dropknee.  
   
Darron Moller and Roman Greening were guys that taught me how to Bodyboard.  They had been doing it since 1986 and were the first guys to show me that the Bodyboard was the most pure and functional way to ride waves.  They also showed me what it was to be a soul surfer.  Respected and reputed to be the best in Welington with their abilitys being at the same level as Adrian Bray for that era, they never once went in a competition in the early days (86 - 92) and remained happy and very content in just having good waves.  These guys started the movement for Wellington Bodybording.  
   
Gavin Murdoch and Greg Roebuck have shown their dominance of the sport through competition and should any groms want to know how to consistantly do well in competition they should be lookig at these guys.  Gavin not only does super good in all comps he enters, but is fully devoted to the betterment of the sport of Bodyboarding.   
I don't know anyone else that helps other Bodyboarders more by getting them hooked up with sponsorship deals, trips overseas, organisation and running of competitions and the general building of Bodyboarding as an organised and legitamate sport here in NZ.  Big thanks must be given to Gav for all his tireless work and effort that he puts into the sport we love.  
   
Probably the biggest influence on Bodyboarding in NZ was the Parata brothers.  Dwayne and Pano returned to NZ in 1990 where Dwayne came 2nd at the National titles down in Dunedin at the age of 13.  Both were tearing and were also a very large influence on the movement of Wellington Bodyboarding.  I remember Pano (who must have been 10 or 11 at the time) Dking and standing up on solid 3-4 foot waves - and totally carving it.  They left for Aussie and in the time they were there they stamped their mark on Aussie Bodyboarding, with notable mentions of there career being when Dwayne took out Paul Barnard at the National titles and dominating the Queensland and Sunshine Coast circuits for his age groups.   
As well as that hell ARS that was on Chris Strohs underground tapes in the opening credits (I reakon it was better than most of Eppos back then and most today.  Eppo admitted such as did Ballard who were out in the same session with Dwayne during that photo shoot).  Pano was another story.  He also destroyed any competition is his age group on that circuit (Queensland and Sunshine coast), and if you want to know how good he was rated here is an example - not once did Adam Keegan beat him in the several years they competed against each other.  Paul Roach gave him boards and gave him big reviews in the mid 90's for being hell on the knee and Mike Stewart said that he had the smoothest spins he has ever seen (Hows that sort of backing for a kid that was only 15-16 years of age).  The peak of his competitive career so far would probably have been his u16 Final in the Australian National Titiles where He was bet by Ben Player and Pano came 3rd.  I have no doubt that had Dwayne and Pano stayed in Australia they would have been at the same level as guys such as the Players, Adam Keegan, Ryan Hardy, Damien King and Crispin Hughs.  There return to NZ saw a resurgence in NZ Bodyboarding with everyone trying to get to there level.  Dwayne and Pano came back to NZ in 1995/1996 pulling moves - consistantly - that were almost unheard of and unseen in NZ.  Moves like the ARS, Backflip, Big inverts and hell DK.  They have helped bring the level of Bodyboarding up in NZ because if you want to win a comp it was those guys (and still is) that you had to beat, and if you want to beat them you gotta be better than them.  Definetly the standard by which NZ Bodyboarding is measured.  
   
Lastly Big props is gotta go to Bill Parata.  A man that works more, pushes more and gives more than any other person I know in New Zealand to the sport of Bodyboarding.  Without Bill we would be lost - I dont care what people say that he might have done this or not have done that, but untill they step up and put in the work that this man has, then they can just get lost.  Support Bodyboarding and dont bag it or those that are doing something for the sport because in the end your not helping us progress, your helping us to regress.  He fights for the rights of Bodyboardres against a very anti-bodyboard Surfing Association (although views are changing and are moving in a positive direction), is President of BBSNZ and has a love for the youth that motivates him to see young people do well in anything they wish to put there hand to.  
   
THERE HERE AND NOW  
We are moving in a positive direction with the development of a national body (BBSNZ), a national circuit, International competition (NZ teams trip)...  The circuit has been awsome for the Boogers.  5 years ago competition was a place where everyone hung in there little groups, backstabbing and figuring out ways to pull each other down.  Now a days when you gotta a comp all the grommies and guys are just having the best fun, making new friendships and breaking down the barriers that were once the norm at such events.  For me this has been the biggest benefit of all, seeing Bodyboarders be friends and have fun, its the SICKEST!  People often bag competitions but its a way in which we can do many things - meet other boogers from around the country, have fun and run havoc, compare your skill level against your peers, show Bodyboarding as a way in which you can express yourself in all types of waves and to spread the faith of Bodyboarding to all those that are missing out on the joy that we recieve from it.  
   
WHO TO WATCH...  
Sam Peters for his DK in hollow waves   
Jon Blackwood for his all around ability and I believe the next NZer to make it in the international arena, either through comps or photos/videos   
John Diamond this kid just launches so big, everything is in the air - NZ's version of Jeff Hubbard?   
Ben Smith What I've seen of him he is so smooth   
Hemi Holden Effortlesly smooth.   
Simon Sadgrove Little guy with a big future   
Jethro Rae Puts power into his moves   
Andrew Low Bright future in solid waves   
Ben Mackinnon Ben is the one of the biggest hopes for NZ Bodyboarding in the International competition arena.   
There are so much more that I could write a whole page on them...  

LAST WORDS  
Support those that support Bodyboarding and its development.  Whether it be the companies that sponsor events and riders, Bodyboard Surfing New Zealand or pepole who are working to see something happen that is good and positive.  More often than not it is those that do not help either through work, effort or verbal support that see good works undone.  If you think something isn't done right, don't just bag it, offer a workable solution and the means by which it can be achieved so that Bodyboarding can progress.  
   
And in all things remember why you Bodyboard and if you forget, think back to the first time you caught a wave and the joy you experienced on that day.  
   
Yours in Bodyboarding  
Des Taurima  
DC BODYBOARD WORLD