Former Pro Bodyboarder Jay Reale shares stories and thoughts from his storied bodyboarding career as one of the pioneers of the sport. Jay spent the 80s and 90s competing with the world's top riders traveling to exotic locations around the world. Following his career as a bodyboarder, Jay switched gears and focused on starting the world's leading internet bodyboarding store while raising a family, appearing on game shows and performing in community theater and choir, and exploring the world of endurance sports, while continuing to travel the world on surf trips with his wife, former pro bodyboarder Vicki Reale. A true renaissance man, Jay's podcast takes you places you would have never guessed! Brought to you by eBodyboarding.com and Tribe Boards and Accessories.
One of 2025's top young California bodyboarders, Drake Kinghorn has already put his stamp on the bodyboarding world with appearances on the IBC World Tour, on O'ahu's North Shore, WacoSurf, and at the Wedge and he's just 15 years old. Solid family support and a strong desire to see the world through bodyboarding, he's just getting started!
Jay catches up with PLC on his brief visit to Southern California in April 2025 to hit him with a few questions covering everything from his bodyboarding goals to his recent sponsorship with Morey Bodyboards and Churchill Fins. Pierre's Portugal Bodyboarding Camp:https://www.costescamps.com/en/Pierre's Morey/Churchill products:https://www.ebodyboarding.com/search?q=pierre&type=product&options[prefix]=last&filter.p.vendor=Churchill&filter.p.vendor=Morey%20Bodyboards&sort_by=relevance
At 72, Tom has been the "elder statesman" on our Tavi Tube Tour trip, and while that doesn't qualify him as the "oldest" bodyboarder we've had the pleasure of riding with, he is eerily calm and capable in surf that would scare most riders half his age, and all of this from a guy who has taken up the sport seriously only in recent years. Jay gets to know Tom and what makes him tick.
Long-time California bodyboarder Dave Long has been there since the beginning! Since the 80s, Dave's name has been a fixture in the competition scene in the Golden State and he's seen the best come and go, and is an encyclopedia of knowledge for bodyboarding on the West Coast. Jay picked Dave's brain in March of 2025 during the Tavi Tube Tour trip in Fiji and got the lo down on Dave's past, present and future.
Joao Veiga has been bodyboarding all over Portugal for decades and currently works as a coach at Linha de Onda Surf School and is a coach and guide with Bodyboard Holidays for their Portugal and Central America trips. Jay finds out why such an accomplished rider gets so much joy from bringing new riders into the sport, and how his varied interests took him on a path to higher education in the fields of law and naturopathy.
Jay sits down with Vicki, Rob Barber, Rusty Morrison and Joao Veiga to share injury stories. They recount their worst injuries and the worst they've witnessed. Jay breaks his collarbone:https://youtu.be/Wl9A-hLBn-8?feature=sharedInterview with Rusty Morrison:https://youtu.be/ejerwTZ4DAA?feature=sharedBodyboard-holidays.com@bodyboardholidaysInsta:@jayreale@vickireale@rust_in_peace_@robbarber007@joao83veiga@ebodyboarding@tribeboards
Jay's family talks about their travels and some of the trials and tribulations of traveling as a surfing family. Daughter Saige:*Insta:@saigereale@saigesgoodeats*TikTok:@saigealiciousSon Kieran:*Insta:@kieranreale*TikTok: @kieranisrealeVicki:*Insta:@vickireale*TikTok:@vickiisrealeJay: *Insta:@jayrealeSee our travel videos:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsNzOBhEhm84z5gBjs6X-goaCGHteSXHL&feature=sharedTravel with us! https://www.ebodyboarding.com/pages/bodyboarding-travel
One of our sport's most iconic figures during the Golden Age of the sport, O'ahu's Danny Kim singlehandedly carried the torch for the very niche discipline of standup bodyboarding. Danny's incredible talents standing up on his finless craft not only blew minds, but took him to top finishes on the US Pro Tour, and garnered plentiful magazine coverage worldwide. We discuss Danny's rise in the sport, and what he's been doing to keep himself busy since ending his pro career.
Jay catches up with the founder of the Vintage Bodyboard Collectors Facebook Ground Damien Alexander on his recent trip to Australia. VBC is credited for spearheading the "Board Again" movement- older riders returning to the sport to recapture the magic of their youth which accelerated dramatically during Covid. Damien recounts how it all began around the mid-2000s.
Debbie Colwell is truly one of the originals in the bodyboarding industry getting her start more than 4 decades ago eventually starting the iconic American bodyboard brand Custom X in the late 1980s. She has worked with the best and seen the sport grow from it's infancy to the huge industry it is today. Jay gets into Debbie's story from her start to her retirement and all that she's seen along the way. http://www.customx.com
Jay sits down with 2024 IBC Visit Maldives Pro Junior Men's Champ, 16-year-old Aussie Jai Taylor to get to know this young phenom. Jai is an Aussie Champ, and burst on the international scene in August of 2024 by winning in his first-ever go at the IBC World Tour. How did he start? Where is he from? How did he win? What are his future plans? We get all the answers!
Jay and his friend and Bodyboard Holidays owner Rob Barber discuss the current state of the sport in mid-2024 and how it's changed over the years. Who's doing it, what happened to print media, and local competition, and what's happening with the IBC World Tour? They cover all the important topics.
Joe Evans, Scott Evans and Roger Waller are the unsung legends of bodyboarding. They were among the sport's first-ever professional bodyboarders in the 1970s, when "The Boogie" was first manufactured. They are three of a small group of riders that represented the brand, working with Morey promoter Patti Serrano to spread the stoke all over the USA with the Morey Boogie Challenge series, and did it all for the love of the sport. This is their story.
You may not know who Ryder Jalbert is, but you should. This Maui born-and-bred bodyboarder been quietly charging some of Hawaii's biggest swells in recent years and is on a mission to raise his big-wave game through training, equipment design. Jay grills him on the finer points of what got him to this level and where he's headed.
Jay sits down with Dave during the waiting period for the 2024 Itacoatiara Pro in Brazil to discuss his 10 World Titles, his rivalry with Sammy Morretino, how he stays at the top of his game in his early 40s, board design, and what's in store for him.https://www.ebodyboarding.com/collections/hubboards
One of the most iconic rippers in the sport during the 90s and early 2000s, Santa Barbara's Jacob Reeve had all the talent and skill to be a dominant figure on the world stage. But his sponsors had other ideas. Jacob tore the bag out of his local spots and together, helped cement the reputation of a group of riders north of Los Angeles as...to use a cliche...a force to be reckoned with. Jacob talks about his bodyboarding days, including his first time pulling off an ARS, BEFORE Eppo introduced it to the world, and how he came up with the idea, and spans his more recent life as a business owner, father, husband and a man deeply committed to his faith.
Jay corners all the bodyboarders on this year's 2nd week of the Tavi Tube Tour to find out a bit about them and why they jumped on this year's trip. The island paradise of Tavarua Island Resort produced perfect surf yet again for Tavi Tube Tour 2024! Want more info on how to join a future trip? Click the link below:Bodyboarding Travel
Jay rewinds the clock 44 years to the very first pro bodyboarding event in Hawaii, and the first-ever bodyboarding event at Pipeline. 1980's The Coca Cola Surecraft North Shore Bodyboard Classic was put on by Robb Rice, who was the sales rep in Hawaii for Surecraft's North Shore bodyboard, which at the time, was arguably the best bodyboard on the market, endorsed by bodyboarding legend, Jack "Da Rippa" Lindholm. Robb tells the story of how his groundbreaking event set the stage for the future of competitive bodyboarding at the world's most famous wave.
Rusty Morrison lives a spartan life of a traveler. He works long, hard hours as a FIFO guy (Fly In Fly Out), squirrels away his savings, and then goes on global odysseys to warm waves- a life we all aspire to. I wanted to find out what makes this DK specialist tick, so I sat down with Rusty during Bodyboard Holidays' El Salvador trip to get the down low on one of Oz's nomadic legends. http://www.bodyboard-holidays.comhttps://www.ebodyboarding.com/pages/bodyboarding_travelhttp://www.instagram.com/rust_in_peace_
The most prominent bodyboarder to come out of the UK's Channel Islands, Colin Crowther from Jersey has been there and done that. One of the earliest adopters of Tom Morey's brainchild has been at it since the beginning- as a participant, competitor, contest organizer, and even author! In recent years, he's taken to spending time searching for uncharted waves in Europe's Arctic, using internet sleuthing to locate some of his destinations. He occasionally takes forays into the tropics with Rob Barber's Bodyboard Holidays crew, and has stories for days. Listen in to hear about his journey in the sport! http://www.bodyboard-holidays.comhttps://www.ebodyboarding.com/pages/bodyboarding_travelhttp://www.instagram.com/jerseybodyboarding
Jay and Vicki took a break from winter to spend most of January into early February in Central America with their friends from Bodyboard Holidays. First up was Costa Rica, then El Salvador where they feasted on non-stop waves and warm water. Jay gives a quick recap of the trip. http://www.bodyboard-holidays.comhttps://www.ebodyboarding.com/pages/bodyboarding_travel
Jay and Vicki, veteran wave pool aficionados, break down the nuts and bolts of the three most popular wave pools in the USA- WacoSurf, Surf Ranch, and Palm Springs Surf Club. They cover logistics, booking, the facilities, the vibe, and of course the waves at each venue. Bottom line, if you are considering joining one of their wave pool trips, or going on your own, this is a must-listen! http://www.wacosurf.comhttp://www.kswaveco.comhttp://www.palmspringssurfclub.comhttps://www.ebodyboarding.com/pages/bodyboarding_travelThumbnail photo: Tony Prince
Patti Serrano, one of the architects of our sport's early days, discusses the creation of the BIA competitive tour as well as her insatiable appetite for self-growth and improvement and where that has led her in life, including how it has all circled back to bodyboarding and her relationship with bodyboard inventor Tom Morey. http://www.pattiserrano.com
Some might call Patti Serrano one of the many unsung heroes of bodyboarding. She was there in the beginning! Tom Morey hired Patti in the late 70s to sell and promote the "Morey Boogie" and she took it from there. She built the early Morey team, including riders that became household names in the sport, organized and ran events and clinics and ran some of the very first bodyboarding events ever. Later, she started BIM Magazine and ran the BIA competitive tour. This is Part 1 of her story.
GT gives us the goods on how he became a North Shore lifeguard and talks about his brand, GT Boards.
Jay finally corners 6-time World Champion Guilherme Tamega for a sit down to discuss not only his incredible success as a bodyboarder and icon in the sport, but his endeavors as an Ironman triathlete, businessman , father, husband and North Shore lifeguard. The Brazilian madman has done it all, but that isn't stopping him from always searching for a new challenge. See what makes him tick.
Part 2: From pro bodyboarder to publisher, to tv presenter, to entrepreneur, to professional off-road racer and father of two, Cameron Steele has ticked all the boxes, but he's not done yet. Jay and Cameron recount the glory days of the sport and talk about what he's up to these days.
Part 1: The very first "bad boy of bodyboarding", San Clemente, California's Cameron Steele and Jay chat about their more than 3 decades as friends. Cameron covers his early days as a pro bodyboarder in an off-road-racing family dynasty and how his path took him from roll cages to rollos and back again, with a pit stop as a publisher, all culminating in a big win at the Baja 1000, the super bowl of off-roach racing. This one is a 2-parter!
The "Godfather of Bodyboarding", 9-time World Champion Mike Stewart sits down with Jay to give his insights into many of life's mysteries as they relate to bodyboarding. He reveals a spiritual journey he's undertaken and talks about his motivation to keep competing in his 60s, as well as his ethos behind his successful Science and Gyroll brands. You don't want to miss this one!
South Africa's Pam Bowren has been holding it down for her nation competing in national and international (ISA Games) events for many years, but recently burst on the international scene with a runner-up spot in 2022's Walker Bay Pro IBC World Tour event. As a result, she's having a go at the 2023 IBC World Tour, and Jay sat down with her during the 2023 Visit Maldives Pro in August, 2023 to see where she's headed in her quest to make an impact on the pro bodyboarding scene, and find out what life is like back in Capetown, her home. Instagram: @pambowren
Portugal's Joana Schenker became that country's first-ever wave-riding World Champ in 2017 and holds multiple national titles in Portugal, and has created a diverse set of skills that of course include being one of the top bodyboarders in the world, but also a side gig as a model, but more importantly, raising awareness with young people on environmental issues by working with Oceanario De Lisboa doing tours of schools. She's the full package, and continues to rank in the top of the IBC World Tour rankings. Jay sat down with her during the 2023 Visit Maldives Pro to get the scoop on what makes her tick. https://www.oceanario.pt/Instagram: @joana_schenkerJoana's signature model
Jay sits down with 2017 World Champ Iain Campbell. The South African bodyboarding wizard has gone through some life changes, and continues to excel when he competes, and offers one of the most complete collection of instructional videos on YouTube.
We wrap up our deep dive into bodyboarding legend Pat Caldwell's career and personal life as he prepares to close another chapter in the book of life and start a new one.
We continue with our interview with el rollo inventor Pat Caldwell covering the middle part of his bodyboarding career as he transitions out of judging and into "real life".
Bodyboarding legend and the man of many firsts in our sport, Pat Caldwell sat down with me for my first non-in person interview (pardon the technical glitches) to get an in-depth history of one of bodyboarding's first full-time pro bodyboarders. Hear about how Pat changed our sport forever, and is still getting after it in his 60s!
Jay interviews Kathy and Jeff Phillips from his hometown of Ocean City, Maryland. Kathy and Jeff were the directors of the Delmarva Eastern Surfing Association district in Jay's early competitive career and became two of his biggest advocates in moving through the ranks of the ESA, eventually launching him into his pro career. They were among the first in that organization to embrace bodyboarding and were key to the sport's growth on the east coast. Kathy is in the East Coast Surfing Hall Of Fame and is a rare recipient of the "President's Award" honoring all she's done for wave riding on the east coast.
Long-time Maryland bodyboarder and surfer Brian Stoehr has accomplished so much in his wave-riding life. US Pro Champ, world traveler, entrepreneur, and now owner of one of the east coast's most successful surf schools, Brian has figured it out spending his winters in Florida, but always returning to where it all began, Ocean City, Maryland. He's equally at home plumbing pits on his boogie, soft top, Beater, or anything else that floats and his bodyboarding style is as versatile as he is- prone, DK, or standup. Here's his story.
Jay interviews the man who helped start it all back in 1980. Ocean City, Maryland surfing legend, and founder of BB Bombers Surf Shop, Jack Crosby. Jack's shop was iconic in the Ocean City, Maryland surf scene through the 80s into the early 90s and supported Jay at the beginning of his bodyboarding life, including introducing him to industry leaders that lead to Jay eventually turning pro and moving to California in 1987.
Jay and Vicki tell the story of how Tribe Boards began, including it's little-known original name (before it was "Tribe") and how they come up with the designs, colors, and features on the boards, and other products under the Tribe brand. Tribe on eBodyboarding.com
@bodyboard-holidays Rob Barber joins Jay and Vicki to give his impression of the 2023 Tavi Tube Tour, and discuss travel stories and bucket list surf trips.
Jay and Vicki, fresh back from Tavarua, Fiji give the details of their two weeks in paradise, including two cyclones, epic waves, and wild boat rides. Tavi Tube Tour 2023!
Jay Reale and Vicki Reale are still bodyboarding at a high level into their later years and want to share with you how they do it. They talk about their daily health and fitness regimes and the mindset that gets them moving every day keeping their minds and bodies in a "youthful" frame of mind. Keepin' It Reale Vlog: Episode #1- Pura Vidahttps://youtu.be/f1sjPG_07Achttp://www.ebodyboarding.com
Matt "Mave" Davies is a bit of a renaissance man. I met him through his involvement as a part-time instructor with Rob Barber's "Bodyboard Holidays" company, but Mave has lived a lifetime in his years on this planet. World travel, international living, ultramarathoning, environmental activism and business building. Truly an international man of mystery, but at his core, bodyboarding has driven all of his life decisions.
Jay reviews what went down in bodyboarding from his perspective in 2022 including board design, competition, social media, business, podcasts and more.
We wrap up our conversation with Keith Sasaki, dropknee legend to discuss his move out of the bodyboarding world, back to his roots in Hawaii, and where he is now in his life, and what his legacy is in the sport.
I finally catch up with old friend and bodyboarding legend Keith Sasaki 18 months after the first two "Keith" episodes to continue where we left off. Keith discusses his transition out of full-time competitor and his life-altering move to the south of France.
Bodyboarder Craig Whetter is Orange County, California's prodigy and has been at the forefront of the next generation of up-and-coming rippers in Southern California. But Craig goes the extra mile putting out content online that will hopefully inspire more kids to take up our sport and bring it back to the Glory Days of yesteryear. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/breaking-even-movie-premiere-tickets-440113831317https://www.youtube.com/@Sackchat
Legendary photographer Aaron Loyd was one of the most prominent surf photographers of the late 80s/early 90s and turned his lens toward the top bodyboarders of the day more than most. He is responsible for some of the most enduring images of that golden era of our sport. Jay talks to Aaron about his beginnings, those iconic days, and what he's up to now. http://www.aaronloyd.com
Jay and Vicki get together with 2022's bodyboarding "power couple" and get the details of their life stories and how they are building a small bodyboarding dynasty.
Jay Reale sits down with 2-time World Champ Pierre-Louis Costes to get his take on life, competition, fatherhood, and how to balance everything. Plus, he reveals his secret to the backflip, one of his signature moves!
Jay Reale takes a deep dive into the life of 3-time World Bodyboarding Champion Jeff Hubbard. Jeff, at age 47 at the time of this interview, remains at the top of his game a quarter of a century after embarking on his pro career and is the CEO of his own company, holds a master's degree, and is a father. Shot just two days prior to his win at the 2022 Gran Canaria Fronton King bodyboarding event.