BIO: Scion Jenks Pro Wild Card Sean Morin

BIO: Scion Jenks Pro Wild Card Sean Morin

  Sean Morin recently won the USBA's "Which Jenks Local Should Scion Sponsor?" online poll.  With 868 out of 1849 votes, Sean beat out the likes of other Jenks talent such as Chris Schlegel, Timmy Tilton, Chris Dettlinger, Mike Murphy, and Chuck Guarino.  Sean will now be sponsored by Scion as a Wild Card entry in the Mens Pro Division of the 2012 USBA Scion Jenks Pro.

SEAN MORIN PROFILE

 Age: 26

 Height: 5'11"

Weight: 160lbs.

Home: Jenks

Occupation: Lifeguard

Sponsors: Toys Bodyboards and Plastic People clothing

What was your reaction when you found out that you won the online poll on the USBA website and were going to be sponsored by Scion as a Wild Card for this year's Jenks Pro?

Sean: I was very stoked to be nominated as a wildcard for the Jenks Pro.

What board are you riding for the Jenks Pro (size, material)?

Sean: 41.5" Toys/Plastic People PP one stringer

 Outside of Jenks, what is your favorite wave to ride?

Sean: Puerto Escondido, Mexico

What are your bodyboarding plans for after the Jenks Pro?

Sean: After the Jenks Pro I will be heading straight down to Mexico for the IBA comp after that I'll be going to California till the winter and spend the rest of the winter on the North Shore.

 Thanks, Sean.  Good luck...YEEEWWW!!!

A Day in the Life...Jenks Pro Set-Up (Day Two)

A Day in the Life...Jenks Pro Set-Up (Day Two)

  Busy day today.  I was on the beach at Jenks by 8:30am to receive and unload two pallets of O.N.E. Coconut water.  Around 11am, I drove to Toyota World of Lakewood to get the rims put on the Scion xB promotional car.  Big thanks to Brian Kennedy for helping get that taken care of!  From there, I met up with Jason Bitzer and Dave Kelly at Bubbakoo's Burritos in Pt. Pleasant for lunch.  After Bubbakoo's, the three of us hit up Woodhaven lumber for sheets of plywood then went back to Jenks to finish assembling the contest structure with Ben severson and Dillon Myer.  We had lots of running around to do today, and managed to get it all done.  Stoked...very tired but stoked!  I'm going to keep this blog short tonight, so that's about it this time around.  I'll catch up with you tomorrow for the final day of set-up and amateur rider check-in at Bubbakoo's.  Be sure to check www.usbatour.com for all the latest news and updates as well as USBA Tour on Facebook.  Pray for surf, and keep an eye on www.swellinfo.com for the upcoming swell forecast!  ;)  Until tomorrow... YEEEWWW!!!

A Day in the Life...Planes, Trains, Automobiles, & Setting up for the Jenks Pro

A Day in the Life...Planes, Trains, Automobiles, & Setting up for the Jenks Pro

  Okay, so yesterday I blogged from LAX airport while waiting for my flight.  Afterwards things went down like this...LAX to EWR on United Airlines.  United suffered a nationwide computer system failure so after six plus hours at the airport, one gate change, a four and a half hour flight delay, and manually being checked-in for my flight, I got out of Los Angeles.  Things didn't go much smoother when I landed in New Jersey.  I took the NJ Transit train from Newark Airport to Spring Lake...the train's engine died in Elberon around 3am and I spent an hour sitting on a dead train.  I finally arrived in Spring Lake around 4:30am, and walked home from the train station.  As hungry as I was, I was even more tired from being up and on the go for nearly 23 hours.  I think I was alseep before my head even hit my pillow!

  After a three hour power nap, I was up by 9am to get ready to be on the beach at Jenks by 10am to start setting up the event structure.  Ben Severson, Dave Kelly, Dillon Myer, Jason Bitzer, me, and a handful of the Jenks beach crew guys worked on unloading the delivery truck and setting up scaffolding down on the beach.  After several hours of setting up, we called it a day's work.  Bitzer drove me down to Jenkinson's Aquarium so I could pick up the Scion xB promotional car then Bitzer, Dave, and I headed over to the Manasquan location of Bubbakoo's Burritos (an official sponsor of the Jenks Pro) and dove into a well-deserved lunch.  Mmmmm, I love there shredded pork soft tacos!  :)

  To say I'm a little tired right now would be a bit of an understatement, and tomorrow's going to be another busy day.  So, I think I'm going to call it a night early.  I will catch up with all of you tomorrow...pray for surf...YEEEWWW!!!

A Day in the Life...In-Flight Status and the Shape of Things to Come

A Day in the Life...In-Flight Status

  I didn't think I'd get the chance to post up a blog today but since my flight from LAX to New Jersey has been delayed by two and a half hours, I thought I'd take advantage of the free wifi and get a quick update in.  With this delayed flight, I am pretty much guaranteed not to get home until after midnight.  By 10am tomorrow morning, I will be on the beach helping to set up for the 2012 USBA Scion Jenks Pro in Pt. Pleasant, NJ.  Yeah, my schedule is a little crazy.  This time of year always gets a little hectic.  It's what I do. I'm used to it. :)

  The 8th Annual USBA Jenks Pro is scheduled to run September 1st through 10th.  Conditions permitting, the Amateur divisions will run on the 1st-3rd and the Pro divisions on the 4th-10th.  The Jenks Pro serves as the season finale for the United States Bodyboarding Association national tour.  For more information about the USBA, visit www.usbatour.com and don't forget to check out the USBA on YouTube:

  also, as a part of this year's Jenks Pro, be sure to catch Jenks Beach Fest.  Legendary DJ Mix Master Mike will be playing at Jenks Club on the boardwalk in Pt. Pleasant, NJ on September 8th:

  Immediately following the USBA Scion Jenks Pro, I will be down in Brasil for the IBA Rio Bodyboarding International 2012 (September 11th-16th).  This event features a $30,000USD Women's Grand Slam Series event and a $45,000USD Men's Global Qualifier Series event for a combined $75,000USD prize purse!

  Stay tuned to www.ibaworldtour.com for all of the latest news and updates, and be sure to visit www.youtube.com/ibaworldtour for highlight clips.  In the meantime, check out this teaser clip for the event:

  One of the designated competition sites for Rio Bodyboarding International 2012 is my Brazilian "homebreak" of Posto 5 in Copacabana.  Check out this clip of P5 to get an idea of what the international field of men's and women's competitors could see at this event:

  Well, that should do it for now.  Hopefully, my flight will start boarding soon.  Catch up with all of you in New Jersey, and maybe I'll see a few of you down in Rio!  ;)  Until then...YEEEWWW!!!

A Day in the Life...Cali Trip: HB Sessions, Hollywood, and the Journey Home

A Day in the Life...Cali Trip: HB Sessions, Hollywood, and the Journey Home

Paul Pasa, Chris Pasa, and Steve "Action" Jackson in Huntington Beach after an afternoon session on the north side of HB Pier.  Photo: Frank the Dragon

  I spent the weekend cruising Huntington Beach with Paul and Chris Pasa.  We hit up an afternoon session on Saturday and were joined by Frank the Dragon for our Sunday session at the North side of HB Pier.  The waves were small (2-3ft.), but fun.  We took the opportunity to get out in the warmer-than-usual water (somewhere around 74F/23C), have some fun in the bowly conditions, and test out some new boards from the factory.  Good times!

  Last night was "Let's Be a Tourist" time for me.  I cruised Hollywood with Paul and a few of his friends.  We drove around Sunset and Hollywood Blvd, parked, and then roamed for a late-evening tour of "Hollyweird."  We hit up The Hard Rock Cafe for drinks and appetizers, Grauman's Chinese Theatre (pictured above), and walked around checking out the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

  Today's my last day in Cali.  After getting in late last night (after 2am) and sleeping until 8:30am, I'm feeling a little sluggish this morning and sucking down coffee as I type this.  The game plan for today is pretty simple.  Paul and I are going to cruise over to the factory today to stamp my new board, I'm packing up tonight, and going to sleep early.

  Tomorrow is "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" status for me.  I'm flying from LAX back to New Jersey, taking the train back down to Spring Lake, and should be home by around midnight.  As of Wednesday morning, I will be in full-on running mode in setting up for the 2012 USBA Scion Jenks Pro which runs September 1st-10th in Pt. Pleasant, NJ.  I'll catch up with all of you on Wednesday from New Jersey...YEEEWWW!!!

A Day in the Life...San Diego

A Day in the Life...San Diego

(Cali Trip: Day Three)

Steve "Action" Jackson and Manny Vargas at Lucha Libre Taco Shop in San Diego, CA.

  I woke up at 5am so that Paul could drive me to the Anaheim train station.  I took the 6:52 Amtrak Pacific Coastliner, and was pretty stoked to be on my way down to hang out with my good friend Manny Vargas in San Diego.  I was, also, pretty happy with the fact that the train had free wifi which gave me the opportunity to skype with my wife, check my email, and play around on Facebook.  My trip took a turn for the unexpected when train conductors announced that they were having engine troubles and had to shut down the train.  For nearly two hours, we sat quite literally dead in our tracks with no power.  Fortunately, the people sitting near me (Diane and Evan) were really cool to talk with and helped pass the time.  eventually, a second train arrived, linked up with our dead train, and towed us to San Diego.

    Manny picked me up at the Old Town station, and drove us back to his new house that he and his wife Mailei just moved into.  after taking a quick tour of Manny and Mailei's new place, Manny and I went to Lucha Libre Taco Shop to satiate my craving for a California Burrito.  I ended up ordering a Surfin' California Burrito Pro...shrimp, steak, avocado, french fries, and chipotle sauce all wrapped up into one big massive burrito with a side of refried beans and rice...and an ice cold horchata to wash it all down!  Mmmmm, so good!

  Manny and I spent a good portion of the afternoon working in his office, before heading out with Mailei.  The three of us went for an SUP session at Spanish Landing over by San Diego International airport.  From there, I got dropped off at the downtown train station and Manny headed home to pack for his trip to the IBA Sintra Portugal Pro.  Safe travels, brotha.  Stoked...YEEEWWW!!!

A Day in the Life...Cali Trip

A Day in the Life...Cali Trip

(Day Two)

  I got up early and cruised down to Newport Beach with Paul Pasa to hit up an AM bodyboarding session at 36th Street.  The waves were small but fun, and the water was pretty warm.  I wore my long-sleeve springsuit out, but easily could have trunked it.

  Afterwards, we cruised back to Paul's apartment to get cleaned up and eat lunch.  From there, we headed over to Americana Sports to say hello, talk shop, and so that I could pick up a new board.  Stoked...YEEEWWW!!!

A Day in the Life...Travel Day

A Day in the Life...Travel Day

Cali Trip: Day One

  After being awake and on the go for more than 24 hours, I flew from New Jersey to Los Angeles this morning.  I fell asleep shortly after takeoff, and slept for most of the five hour flight.

My good friend, and team manager from T&C Bodyboards, Paul Pasa picked me up at LAX Airport and took me to the original In n Out Burger location in Baldwin Park.

At In n Out, I dove into a couple of cheeseburgers protein-style (wrapped in lettuce instead of on a bun)...mmmmm, good!

After woofing down  some In n Out, Paul drove me back to his place to ditch my bags and settle in.  I ended up falling asleep for several hours...it felt good to crash out for a while!  I'm stoked to be in Cali for the week and get a few things done while I'm here.  I'll catch up with all of you in tomorrow's blog...YEEEWWW!!!

HISTORY: Phyllis Dameron

HISTORY: Phyllis Dameron

  Back in the late 1970's, women's bodyboarding pioneer Phyllis Dameron was the first person, man or woman, to charge Waimea Bay on a bodyboard (North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii).  There is not a lot of information about Phyllis Dameron readily available these days...a couple of sentences on Wikipedia, a short video clip in the 'Style Masters' surfing DVD, and this short clip from the Encyclopedia of Surfing Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=411696098900400

  Hopefully, more information about the early history of bodyboarding including such pioneers as Phyllis will become more accessible in the near future.  For now, this little piece of bodyboarding history can serve as a starting point.  If this has stoked your curiosity, even just a little, by all means I encourage you to dig deeper and find out more!  As much as I like to think I know a decent amount regarding the history of our sport, even I am still constantly learning more and finding little pieces of the puzzle that make up bodyboarding's storied past.  Happy history hunting!

CURRENT EVENTS: Bodyboarding News

CURRENT EVENTS: Bodyboarding News

Sean Morin Wins Scion Wild Card for 2012 USBA Jenks Pro

Sean Morin. Photo: Al MacKinnon

  Jenks local Sean Morin has won the voting for the "Who Should Scion Sponsor" online contest.  A month of voting on the official USBA tour website concluded today (August 8th) with Morin receiving more than 800 of the 1800+ votes to beat out the likes of Chris Schlegel, Timmy Tilton, Chris Dettlinger, Mike Murphy, and Chuck Guarino.  Sean will now be sponsored by Scion Motors as a Wild Card entry in the Pro Division of the 2012 USBA Scion Jenks Pro (Pt. Pleasant, NJ, September 1st-10th).  Be sure to visit www.usbatour.com for more information about the Jenks Pro and the USBA National Championship Tour.


Australian Lilly Pollard Signs Deal with Flipmode Clothing

  Australian pro bodyboarder Lilly Pollard has announced that she has signed a deal with Flipmode Clothing Company.  Be sure to check out www.flipmode.com.au for more info about Flipmode and visit their online store.  Also, don't forget to visit Lilly's blog for all the latest news and details:
http://findinglilly.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/flipwhat.html

  That will just about do it for this week's Current Events.  Stay tuned, as the world of bodyboarding is set to get very busy in the upcoming weeks with IBA world tour events in Portugal, Brazil, and Venezuela, as well as the USBA's Jenks Pro.  There's going to be lots going on, and BODYBOARDING 101 will keep you dialed in...YEEEWWW!!!

SUMMER RECESS

SUMMER RECESS

  Okay, so with the exception of a Current Events update last week, BODYBOARDING 101 has been on a bit of a hiatus for the past couple of weeks.  Well, now that the 2012 Summer Olympics are finished and the 25th Anniversary of Shark Week will be wrapping up this weekend...I'm a big fan of both...it's time for me to get back to my daily blogs.  on Monday, August 20th I will be posting the latest Current Events blog and a new History blog on Tuesday, August 21st.

Steve "Action" Jackson and Manny Vargas on air during the 2012 IBA Itacoatiara Pro in Brasil.

  Beginning on Wednesday, August 22nd I will be posting daily blogs under the title of "A Day in the Life..." which will run through Sept. 16th and follow along with:

-CALIFORNIA TRIP

-JENKS PRO EVENT SET-UP

-THE 2012 USBA SCION JENKS PRO

-THE IBA RIO BODYBOARDING INTERNATIONAL 2012

  So, be sure to check back Monday for all new BODYBOARDING 101 blogs and follow along for behind-the-scenes stories and photos from the USBA and IBA pro tours...YEEEWWW!!!

For more information on the USBA national tour and IBA world tour, visit:

www.usbatour.com

www.ibaworldtour.com

HISTORY: Evolution of the Bodyboard

HISTORY: Evolution of the Bodyboard

I started bodyboarding in 1988 and this was the first board I ever owned...a Morey Boogie Mach 7-7!

  The modern day bodyboard was invented by Tom Morey back in 1971.  Since then, the bodyboard has gone through many evolutions in every way imaginable from materials to design features.  Here's an opportunity to take a closer look at the bodyboards of the 70's, 80's, and up through the mid 90's.  Go to www.vintagebodyboards.com to not only see many of these old school boards, but read the descriptions about them.  Enjoy...YEEEWWW!!!

CURRENT EVENTS: Bodyboarding News

CURRENT EVENTS: Bodyboarding News

SCION TO SPONSOR LOCAL NEW JERSEY WILD CARD FOR USBA JENKS PRO

  Scion Motors, the title sponsor for the 2012 USBA Scion Jenks Pro (Sept. 1st-10th in Pt. Pleasant, NJ) has agreed to sponsor a local New Jersey bodyboarder to be a "Wild Card" entry for this year's event.  This lucky rider will be voted in by you, the bodyboarding community, through the USBA website.  The eligible riders are Chris Schlegel, Sean Morin, Chuck Guarino, Mike Murphy, Chris Dettlinger, and Tim Tilton.  Be sure to visit the link below and vote today!

http://www.usbatour.com/which-jenks-local-should-scion-sponsor

Stay tuned to BODYBOARDING 101 and www.usbatour.com to find out who the lucky winner of this unique opportunity will be!


SCIENCE BODYBOARDS ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF TREVOR KAM SIGNATURE MODEL

  Science Bodyboards has proudly announced the release of it's new signature model for young Hawaiian ripper Trevor Kam.  Boards are in stock now so check with your favorite bodyboard shop or online bodyboard retailer to get your hands on Trevor's new board.  Also, be sure to check out www.mikestewart.com and Science Hawaii Bodyboards on Facebook for more information.


AUSTRALIAN DAMIEN MARTIN BACK IN THE WATER AFTER SPINAL CHORD INJURY

  Two months ago, Australian bodyboarder Damien Martin fractured six vertebrae during a wipeout at Bawley Point ( a reefbreak known for its dangerously shallow water and heavy barrels).  After eight weeks, of recovery Damien has been cleared by his doctors to go back out in the water.  Martin was quoted on the Nomad Bodyboards Facebook page as saying, "Just got the all clear to pull into big pits and do twirly-whirls in the air,"  For more information on his injury, be sure to click on the link below and read the article from his local newspaper, The Ulladulla Times:

http://www.ulladullatimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/bodyboarder-is-back-home/2597029.aspx

Also, be sure to visit www.nomad.com.au for more information.


JAPANESE BODYBOARDING LEGEND AOI KOIKE GETS MARRIED

  Japanese bodyboarder Aoi Koike married her fiance Wa Chin last week.  Congradulations, Aoi!  私は、あなたとあなたの新しい夫が一緒に幸福の寿命を共有することを望みます！


 That's the news for this week.  If you have any news or competiton results from the world of bodyboarding that you feel are newsworthy, feel free to email them to me at atimeforaction@gmail.com and they just might make it into CURRENT EVENTS here at BODYBOARDING 101.  Catch you next time around...YEEEWWW!!!