DVD: Bombora - The Story of Australian Surfing

DVD Bombora - The Story of Australian Surfing ABC produced a brilliant doco on the history of Australian surfing. It covers the very early days of bodysurfing and surf boats in Sydney and the original visit by Hawaiian Duke Kahanamoku who first surfed a board in Australia. He lit the fire that lead to Midget Farrelly, Bob Pike, Nat Young, Michael Petersen, Wayne Lynch Bob McTavish, Mark Richards, Tom Carroll, Occy, Mick Fanning and Joel Parkinson.

The whole thing runs for almost 3 hours and some of the very early footage is fantastic. Some of the images from Pipe are terrifying. There are interviews with the old timers who are still clearly stoked on their surfing and 10 Aussie world champions. The doco also covers the cultural aspects of surfing and how surfing has helped shape modern Australia.

You can buy the dvd at the ABC Shop or even download it for half the price. You may find some copies on ebay too (see below).