The History of Bodyboards

September 20, 2022 4 min read

Bodyboards have been around for many years, but how did they get started? In this article, we'll look at the history of bodyboards and the man behind them. Tom Morey was the man who invented the bodyboard. It was a small, lightweight, flexible board made of foam. Originally, bodyboards were used by free surfers.

Tom Morey Invented the First Bodyboard

In the late 1950s, retired engineer Tom Morey invented the first bodyboard. He later became a consultant for the company Wham-O. He also spent time working for Boeing in Seattle from 1985 until the early 2000s. After retirement, Morey and his wife, Marchia, had four sons and a daughter.

At age 81, Morey began carving surfboard shapes out of fine-grained redwood. He also carved his name into the wood. In 1967, Morey held the first surf tournament. The tournament featured Mickey Munoz, who won first place. In 1969, Morey moved to the "big island" of Hawaii. He played the drums in nightclubs in addition to surfing. One day, he paddled out on his bodyboard and tried surfing with a three-pound foam slab. While surfing, he realized that the board felt different than standing on a surfboard. He tried it out and was amazed at how easy it was to ride waves. He could stand on both feet or lie flat and easily maneuver.

It Was a Small, Flexible, Lightweight Board

The first body board was a small, lightweight board invented in the 1970s by Tom Morey. The board introduced millions of people to the sport of body surfing. It was small and flexible. It allowed riders to ride waves on their belly without a longboard.

Bodyboarding has roots in a very ancient form of surfing the waves on the belly. Indigenous Polynesians used boards called alaia (pronounced "ah-lie-ah") to ride the waves. These boards varied in length and shape, but had no ventral fins. When Captain Cook visited Hawaii in 1778, he noticed local villagers riding alaia boards.

It Was Made of Foam

Foam was the first material used for body boards. For twenty years after its invention, it was the standard core material for bodyboards. It was used to protect the body while riding and came in different densities and thicknesses. It also proved to be a cheaper material than wood.

The first body board was made of foam, and was called the boogie board. It was invented in Hawaii by Tom Morley. After experimenting with different shapes and materials, he cut the last piece of polyethylene foam in half and shaped it using a hot iron. It became an instant hit, and more than 80000 units were sold in its first year.

It Was Used by Free Surfers

The Body Board is a type of skateboard made of plastic. The core is made of polypropylene, arcel, or dow and gives varying degrees of flexibility. The top surface of the board is made of softer plastic. Its original design is similar to a surfboard but it is modified.

It Was Sold as a Trademark in 1977

In the early 1970s, a man named Tom Morey in Hawaii invented the first bodyboard. He used scrap polyethylene foam to craft a small rectangular mat and covered it with newspaper. By 1977, he had produced 80,000 bodyboards a year and had the Boogie Board trademarked.

Despite the disputed ownership of the name, the Boogie Board still holds its place as a popular board among people. It was christened as such after Morey's love for boogie-woogie jazz music. The Boogie Board was trademarked by a toy company, but other companies made similar boards under the Body Board name. While both boards are made to be used while lying down, they are distinctly different.

It Was Used by Female Bodyboarders

The first bodyboard was invented in Hawaii on July 7, 1971 by Tom Morey. It was light, durable and safe to use. Morey traveled to California and sold his design to a manufacturer. It was later renamed the boogie board and became popular. Morey's board was made from newspaper and foam and was a hit in Hawaii.

Since its creation, bodyboarding has grown to be a global industry and extreme sport. It has its roots in America and has since spread to South America, the Canary Islands, and Australia. It has branched out into various forms of extreme wave riding, and has become one of the most popular sports in the world.

It Has Become an Extreme Sport

Body Boarding has grown into an international industry and a popular sport in many parts of the world. While its origins are in the United States, bodyboarding has spread to South Africa, Australia, the Canary Islands, and other locations. It is an extreme form of surfing that has evolved from a simple board riding activity to a completely different discipline.

Unlike surfing, bodyboarding is an activity that requires skill and balance. Various styles have emerged, with many daredevils performing amazing tricks. Some notable competitors include Danny Kim, Caven Yap, and Chris Won Taloa. Despite its popularity, bodyboarding has fallen to number two in some parts of Southern New Zealand.



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