bodysurf

To ride waves or surf without equipment, such as a surfboard.

The key to bodysurfing a good wave is timing.

To ride waves either without equipment or with a handboard.

Australians had been surfing lying down on 4-5 foot wooden surfboards before then and bodysurfing with wooden handboards — some had even heard about stand-up surfing in Hawaii and seen a couple of local surfers standing up — but stand-up surfing was still more of a rumour than a reality for most Aussie beach-goers.

A talented surfer and strong swimmer, and a fellow member of the Bronte Surf Club, he specialised in body surfing with a hand board.