Watch: The 1988 Wavepool Pro

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

In October 1988, nearly 30 years ago, the then ASP tour stopped off at Nagaoka, Japan, for the Marui Wavepool Pro. Three years earlier the World Inland Championships was run at Allentown, Pennsylvania, and became the inspiration for the movie North Shore and it's plucky hero, Rick Kane. Nagaoka, on the other hand, didn't inpsire anything.

Tim Bonython, who now makes a living filming XXL waves, shot the footage of Nagaoka's royal flush. Clearly this was long before the Dream Tour concept was floated.

In two days, the Founders Cup is gonna run in Kelly's hot tub and we'll get an idea if wavepools once again offer a bright new future for professional contests or they're another white elephant.

For the record, the Marui Wavepool Pro was won by Dooma Hardman who beat Pottz in the final five zip. Dave Macauley and Derek Ho also made the semis

PS: How many 80s pros can you spot?

Comments

simba's picture
simba's picture
simba Thursday, 3 May 2018 at 5:12pm

well that got old quick....hope the hot tubs a lot better.

buttplug's picture
buttplug's picture
buttplug Thursday, 3 May 2018 at 5:24pm

Saw scores of pros.
Oh, you mean surfers!!
God bless technology

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Thursday, 3 May 2018 at 6:47pm

No XXXX/Jetskis/Legropes/T-shirt logos/Bikinis/Surfbrand caps/Stickerz...No Crowd?
Japan city block sized timetabled solo surfer wavepark. (So wastefully 1980's)
Today's Japanese are penned into wavepools like OZ export Sheep. (Room for one more? )

rightfootfwd's picture
rightfootfwd's picture
rightfootfwd Thursday, 3 May 2018 at 7:47pm

Did anyone else notice that sunglass shapes haven't changed in 30 years?

kaiser's picture
kaiser's picture
kaiser Thursday, 3 May 2018 at 9:39pm

Yeah they have. They’re just back where they were 30 years ago.

Hakuna Matata

eat-your-vegies's picture
eat-your-vegies's picture
eat-your-vegies Thursday, 3 May 2018 at 9:56pm

Shit waves ... but how good did they surf it.

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Thursday, 3 May 2018 at 11:13pm

Normally I'd say sunglasses are ostentatious, but I actually need mine
Max Headroom '87

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Friday, 4 May 2018 at 2:10am

(Is soundtrack also 1988 ?) Then featured atmospheric prog anthem pre-dates Pearl Jam .
Did Eddie Vedder score [A+] @ "Spades" School of Rock? Or the otherway around!
C'mon! Share directions to the "Spades" treasure trove! Tim...anyone! Please!

Pre Nirvana/Red Dwarf episode bosses Smells Like Teen Spirit riff . (A Remastering error!)

regydogy's picture
regydogy's picture
regydogy Friday, 4 May 2018 at 6:57am

agree with all of the above .

wax-on-danielson's picture
wax-on-danielson's picture
wax-on-danielson Friday, 4 May 2018 at 8:25am

This video demonstrates that man’s aptitude for destroying natural environments is not matched by its ability to recreate them..

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Friday, 4 May 2018 at 9:22pm

Thank so much for epic tune Swellnet & Tim...' Soundtrack by (Spades) is genuine to era.
Coincidentally Seattle band SPADES played Seattle CENTRAL(Poster) September 10/1988.

Pearl Jam formed in Seattle 1990 rip off underground sound but never a patch on original.
So many U.S. Bands of this era were also ripping early '80's OZ (Bne/Perth) soundz.

Spades are a rare band with authentic sound.(Please! Just the rest of this song is all I ask! )

Tim Bonython's picture
Tim Bonython's picture
Tim Bonython Saturday, 5 May 2018 at 8:45am
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Tuesday, 8 May 2018 at 12:21pm

Cheers Tim!
Swellnetonians sure are stoked that you share your precious gems! (This another Classic!)

Thanks for reply & song to clear that up...

I was lost at sea! 'Modern' Spades soundtrack was presented with 1988 credits.
There is a progressive use of band name 'Spades' over the years...(This being most recent)
Rest easy 'Pearl Jam' fans...nothing untoward.

R.E.M. as hot contender for 1988 soundtrack.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Wednesday, 30 Jan 2019 at 11:06pm

Thanx for sharing Tim here's a return gift from your loyal Swellnet Fanbase.
I was searching for early South Africa Wave Pools & we scored Tim a perfect match.
1988 Wave Pool Comps... Swellnet Double Feature.

'Shareworld Wavepool' Themepark patronage was 10% white - 90% black (re: vid)
Free Entry + [$3.50 Aus] for the Wave Pool.(World's Cheapest at that time)
Note: Surfboards were allowed in South Africa a/h 'Wave Pools' but never in Australia

1988 Johannesburg [Shareworld Classic Surf Competition]
I think Shaun Tomson (Instinct) sponsored the Comp.... judging by the singlets.
Eighties Swellnetonians may spot a face or pick a voice in commentary.
Pause at [1:40 entry + Last 1:58 wave] Maybe a semi /Pro ring-in?

I invite Tim & Swellnetonians to enjoy your 2nd trip back to 1988 WavePool Comps.

1987 (Bonus) Snap of Seth Hulley SA Pro (original) 'Shareworld Surf Classic'
https://www.zigzag.co.za/features/throwback-thursday/the-big-picture/
Seth was World Pro Junior 1992 + Pro QS Win 1995
https://www.wavescape.co.za/surf-news/breaking-news/seth-hulley.html

1987/88 Dates are not set in stone & may even reverse as Vid claims to be 1st comp.

{Extra bonus Score} Rare 1980's net clippings about this multiracial Wavepool Park!
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-01-06-8803200110-story.html

http://articles.latimes.com/1988-04-24/news/mn-2541_1_theme-park

Enjoy your 1988 Swellnet South Africa Wavepool Pack. 'Kraaker!'

hillsintas's picture
hillsintas's picture
hillsintas Thursday, 31 Jan 2019 at 8:14am

Truebluebasher,

I know what the future holds for you...............

The first book on the history of wave pools.

I would like 10% of royalties.

Let me know when you intend to release the limited edition place mats & coasters.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Sunday, 28 Apr 2019 at 10:36am

hillsintas has earnt nothing less than a royal flush...
Stu starts out talking about following comp only now it can be presented as a whole.

Presenting ...1985 World Inland Professional Surfing Championship"
Never known as...(AO)xxx [Tommy does Dorney] "It's Bigger than you've ever seen!"

Featuring 70 of the World's best Surfers

swellnet 1st flyover with window seats

swellnet has reserved 1st 100 wavepool lounges
swellnet affords exclusive World 1st YouTube commentary as of right.

Dorney Park History

&t=102s

Pro Surfers have their say on the Wave Park Comp (swellnet thanks Kanga)
https://surftwenty.com/tag/ian-cairns/

tbb Bonus Tilt...Comp vid complete with Royal Flush...tbb kidz you not!

tbb extra Bonus Photo of overexcited punters milking the Line up!
https://www.monsterchildren.com/63601/ats-1985-inland-surfing-championship/

tbb Triple Bonus score...
WSL Comp results were released only 3 days ago...exclusively for this swellnet wrap.
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/1985/mct/2479/world-inland-champi...

No! tbb never forgot...Here's... "WORLD'S MOST BORING WAVEPOOL PHOTO"
https://beachgrit.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/allentown_BillSharp.jpg