About Us
Over the years we’ve got to know pretty much everything there is to know about bodyboarding, which means that we can offer expert buying advice and unrivalled equipment knowledge.
The Bodyboard-Depot Team Riders
We work closely with our Team Riders Zhaidys Y. Perez, Cerven Cotter, Matt Davies, Matt Sharman and Phil Underwood, to gain feedback on how the products they use perform in UK waters and overseas.
They’re our research and development crew. While they push the boundaries of our beloved sport, they tell us which products take a nosedive, which are solid and most importantly which ones absolutely go off!
This helps us to make informed choices when stocking future products and when advising our customers.
Zhaidys Y. Perez (Zypss)
Zhaidys is a 26-year-old who has loved sports since her childhood. Then bodyboarding arrived. As well as being connected with her strong faith in God and nature, Zhaidys firmly believes that bodyboarding brings enormous happiness.
Zhaidys currently lives in Puerto Rico, a tropical island with many beautiful beaches. The town of Arecibo is especially blessed with incredible places to ride some of the best waves in bodyboarding.
Zhaidys has been riding for 7 years and plans to compete at the national level, travel the world and continue to be an inspiration for young girls - so that they too have the courage to challenge themselves in our incredible sport.
Follow Zhaidys on instagram: @zypss
Cerven Cotter
Whilst Cerven took a 20 year break from the bodyboarding scene, he can now be found applying his Paul Roach inspired, punk rock fuelled dropknee attack to the UK’s east coast, transferring years of experience gained from his formative years entrenched in the east coast of South Africa.
An active member of the global bodyboarding community, Cerven is Movement Magazine’s digital editor and press officer for the bodyboarding world tour organisation, the International Bodyboarding Corporation (IBC). Recently he has been working with a small team to further develop and promote bodyboarding within the UK.
In his previous bodyboarding life, Cerven has served as Editor of South African Bodyboarding magazine, worked as a bodyboarding judge and organised the first all dropknee contest in South Africa.
Follow Cerven on Instagram: @cervencotter
Matt Davies (Mave)
Mave, a UK expat, made Portugal his home back in 2007. Since then, he has established his reputation as one of the most stylish DK riders in Portugal and has competed in the Sintra Pro DK division.
As well as being a highly skilled and experienced bodyboarder, Matt is a passionate environmentalist. He is a Director of Mossy Earth – the super cool carbon offsetting company that The Bodyboard-Depot partner with. You can estimate your carbon footprint and get recommendations on reducing your impact here.
Follow Mave on Instagram: @matt_mave_davies
Matt Sharman
Matt is an ex professional rugby player, who took up the sport after moving to Newquay 7 years ago.
He has travelled to Australia, Morocco, Portugal, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France and Spain in search of the best waves. He is currently working hard on his riding, with a view to competing internationally from 2021.
Follow Matt on Instagram: @matt__sharman
Phil Underwood
Phil started bodyboarding way back in 1988, entering competitions in the 90's with the likes of Damian Prisk, Rob Barber and Bjorn Storey.
He then left the competition scene and has been an underground sponger for the last couple of decades, both locally and around the world - testing himself at some of the world’s scariest waves, such as Chopes, Cloudbreak, Namotu and Desperations.
Phil is pretty much guaranteed to be on it with his GoPro, filming waves, himself and other riders - he’s all about the froth and buzz of being a UK sponger.
Follow Phil on Instagram: @boogieviews
Guy Sowry - Director
Guy has salt water running through his veins, having been born and raised on the South Coast of England.
A huge bodyboarding fan, Guy took over the reins at the Bodyboard-Depot in 2015. He is passionate about supporting the sport and spreading the boog stoke worldwide whilst trying to help save the planet one tree at a time.
Over 1900 trees planted to date.