The STACT app, developed by Boardscore Inc., provides comprehensive information for your favorite organizations, live scores from your favorite events, as well as in-depth statistics and profiles for your favorite athletes in the worlds of action sports...bodyboarding, surfing, skateboarding, snowboarding, skiing, mountain bike, and BMX!
In an APB World Tour press release, STACT app CEO Mike Jegat stated, "Whether you're an APB athlete or starting your career in local contests, you deserve to track your progress and have a profile in our app. We want STACT to be a tool that inspires the next generation of top athletes to compete and reach their goals."
STACT is available on iOS and Android. Download for FREE!
BoogLIFE: Manny Vargas is Creating Bodyboarding Podcasts
In October 2017, Bodyboarding Legend and APB World Tour Commentary Host Manny Vargas launched BoogLIFE. BoogLIFE is an online podcast that chronicles the history of bodyboarding as told by the people that lived it. Past, present, and future bodyboarding legends like Paul Roach, Jacob Romero, 6x World Champion Guilherme Tâmega, 2017 World Champion Iain Campbell, Tanner McDaniel, Tristan Roberts, 3x World Champion Jeff Hubbard, Ryan Hardy, Scotty Carter, Tom Morey, Cameron Steele, 3x World Champion Ben Player, Jay Reale, 4x Women's World Champion Stephanie Pettersen, Pat Caldwell, 1995 Women's World Champion Claudia Ferrari, the No Friends crew, and many more have contributed their stories to the burgeoning BoogLIFE archive!
The BoogLIFE podcast is hosted by Patreon. To access the BoogLIFE podcasts, sign up to become a BoogLIFE Patron. There are three different Patron Rewards packages...
ARICA Patron:
$1 USD per month
-4 brand new audio podcasts per month
-4 Manny V Chatter videos per month
-Access to Patron-only content
-Patron-only polls
-Tons of impromptu uploads
ITACOATIARA Patron:
$5 USD per month
-4 brand new audio podcasts per month
-4 interview videos per month
-4 Exclusive videos from the Manny V hard drives
-8 high resolution bodyboarding photos (no watermark, available for download)
-4 Manny V Chatter videos
-Access to Patron-only content
-Patron-only polls
TEAHUPOO Patron:
$10 USD per month
-Monthly 30-minute Google Hangout livestream
-Your name in the credits of every BoogLIFE video
-4 brand new audio podcasts per month
-4 Interview videos
-4 Exclusive videos from the Manny V hard drives
-8 high resolution bodyboarding photos (no watermark, available for download)
-4 Manny V Chatter videos
-Access to Patron-only content
-Patron-only polls
Become a BoogLIFE Patron today and dive into the full catalog of audio podcasts and more!
1986 World Champion Ben Severson and me at Sandy Beach during the 2011 IBA Pipe Trials.
Back in 2011, I was offered the opportunity to work commentary for the IBA Pipeline Pro alongside my friend Manny Vargas. I jumped on that opportunity. I had so many incredible experiences during that trip, from staying at the IBA Media House and working commentary for Red Bull TV to the bodyboarding sessions and cruising North Shore zones with some of the best bodyboarders in the world! Here's a quick look back at one of those memories...
Uncle Warren
My first day at the media house, I was just trying to absorb everything. I couldn't believe I was going to be staying on the beach right in front of Pipeline (next door to the Volcom House) for the next 10 days. It didn't seem quite real. I kept thinking to myself, 'No f$#%!ng way! You've gotta be F$#%!ng kidding me!!!' I kept staring at Pipeline, mesmerized, as if she were calling my name. The waves weren't that great. The sand had filled in the reef and Backdoor was actually looking better. It was of no matter to me. I couuldn't wait to hit the water. That would come soon enough.
After I had broken free of Her Majesty's siren song, I walked around the contest site with Uncle Warren. Uncle Warren is this super chill local Hawaiian who was working security for the contest. Full on aloha, this guy. While we were walking through Ehukai Beack Park checking out the banners, 1986 World Champion Ben Severson pulled into the parking lot. He had just come from Ted's Bakery with a Shoyu Chicken plate lunch in hand. He offered to split it with us, so the three of us sat down at a picnic table in the park. Ben tore the lid off of his to-go container, and divvied up the Shoyu Chicken, rice, and macaroni salad. I was loving this! Again, I was thinking to myself, 'Are you kidding me?!?' I felt like a grom! 'I'm sitting at Ehukai Beach Park with Ben frickin' Severson, and he's sharing his plate lunch with me!!!' I was all smiles. Even as a grown adult, I have moments when my inner grom starts jumping up and down, fists in the air, screaming, 'HOLY SHIT!' To top off the experience, this was the first time I had ever eaten Shoyu Chicken, and it was AMAZING!
This may not seem like much, but that moment still stands out in my mind. For me, it was something very memorable. It's not every day that I get to sit down and have lunch with one of my bodyboarding idols. Meeting Uncle Warren made a lasting impression, too. I was stoked that these two guys were willing to show so much aloha to a haole from New Jersey. Mahalo!
Looking forward to riding for Custom X Bodyboards in 2018
Custom X Bodyboards. Made in the USA since 1987.
Over this past weekend, I signed my contract with Custom X Bodyboards, and they announced it via Instagram.
I'm excited to be riding for Custom X, and look forward to working with all of the team riders to promote the esteemed history and quality products that have become synonymous with this company over the past three decades! On a personal note, I can't help but feel as if I've come full circle with this opportunity. I say this because the first bodyboarding contest I ever won as an amateur was on a Custom X Matrix back in 1997. Now, after 30 years of bodyboarding and 20+ years after that first contest win, I've been given a chance to contribute as a member of the Custom X Team.
My Custom X Matrix from 1997. Lots of great memories with that board...first surf trip to Puerto Rico, first amateur contest win, etc. I wish I still had this board. I'd have it hanging up on a wall.
To read the blog about my first amateur contest win, go to:
Bodyboarding Pioneer Pat Caldwell Recovering from Injuries
Pat Caldwell at Sandy Beach. Photo: Conrad Morgan
It's been less than two weeks since bodyboarding legend, and creator of the el rollo, Pat Caldwell was injured at Sandy Beach. While helping Conrad Morgan with a high school water photography project, Pat suffered a bad wipeout. As he described it in a Surfer Today article, Pat said, "The lip landed on open, dry sand. Detonation sent me flying and landing on my back shoulder area violently. I felt a couple of cracks and instantly couldn't breathe." The lifeguards assisted Pat by providing oxygen on the beach until paramedics arrived. It was determined by doctors that the 55 year old bodyboarding icon had suffered a fractured right collarbone, three broken ribs, and pulled muscles. Fortunately, Pat will not require surgery, and is expected to make a full recovery.
In a conversation with JJ Caldwell, Pat's wife, she provided an update on his condition and progress. "He's working on his recovery every day. Today (January 16th) was the longest he was able to walk. Plus, he's doing a little physical therapy each day. Just need to get more calories in him as he's lost some weight. JJ then revealed a somewhat surprising revelation about Pat's future. "He's definitely going to retire from Sandy Beach shorebreak. It's jus too risky." Explaining that her husband has been riding waves at Sandy's since 1971, she remarked, "It's definitely been a hell of a ride for him at his home break. I don't know anybody his age that was still charging it. Not bad for a 55 year old." As for Pat's recovery timeline and getting back out in the water, "He probably won't get back out until mid-March. He still has to do physical therapy through the hospital and start swimming when he gets permission from the doctor."
Speedy recovery, Pat, and thank you for taking the time to give the update, JJ. Best wishes to both of you!
The Escola Guilherme Tâmega social project on the beach at Posto 5 (Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), September 2017. Working as a commentator for pro bodyboarding and pro surfing, blogging on Bodyboarding 101, and working for Canal Woohoo in Rio were all highlights for me in 2017, but my most enjoyable and rewarding work was being an instructor with the EGT bodyboard school!
At the start of this year, I had two objectives for BODYBOARDING 101:
1) Reach 200 blogs posted.
2) Surpass 200,000 page views.
Well, as of this post, I have managed to work my way from 187 blogs to 248. That was due, largely to September's "30 Blogs in 30 Days" and all of your positive feedback. So, Goal #1, done.
As for Goal #2, I was hoping to reach 200,000 page views by the end of this year. This was going to be the more difficult task because I really have no control over who or how many people are reading the BODYBOARDING 101 blogs I post up. Well, mission accomplished...and then some! Yesterday I received a very nice Christmas gift courtesy of all of you. This blog broke 225,000 page views!!! THANK YOU, ALL OF YOU, FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!!!
BODYBOARDING 101 will resume with new blogs on Monday, January 15th, 2018 (Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday). Until then, I hope you all have a Happy New Year and wish you all a healthy, prosperous, adventurous, wave-filled 2018! See you in the water...YEEEWWW!!!
