Boogtuube: The Lens Capturing Cornwall’s Bodyboarding
British Bodyboarding photographer Jamie Gibbard, who is known on Instagram as ‘@Boogtuube’ has been making a name for himself in the last couple of years. If the waves are pumping, he’s there and has been documenting the British bodyboarding scene with awesome videos and stills. We caught up with him to see what makes him tick and showcase his best shots from recent times.
Getting to Know You
For those who don’t know you yet, can you introduce yourself? Where you’re from and what you do outside of the camera?
Hey! My name’s Jamie Gibbard. I’m from Portreath, and outside of filming I work as a maintenance man, a jack of all trades really.
How did you first pick up a camera? Was it for stills, video, or both?
I bought my first video camera at the start of 2024 after stepping away from the FPV drone world. Too many rules and regulations took the fun out of it, so I decided to try something new.
Do you see filmmaking and photography as more of a creative outlet than a career path?
Definitely a creative outlet. This is my hobby and that’s how I’ll keep it, purely for fun, and to keep my brain focused and busy outside of work and family life.
Do you remember the first bodyboarding session you ever shot? What was that like?
It wasn’t planned at all. I was at my local, Portreath, and spotted some bodyboarders on the wall. I started filming, and one of them, who I later found out was Dan Catten, pulled a massive air roll. When I got home and watched the footage, I was hooked.
What do you enjoy most about the creative process?
All of it. From the early alarms and chasing waves, to filming, editing, and finally posting the clip on my Instagram, @boogtuube. Every part of it feels rewarding.
How would you describe your style in a sentence?
Short, punchy, and engaging. If I capture someone scoring a barrel to an ARS, backflip, or invert, that makes my day.
You always shoot from land rather than in the water. What is it about that perspective that you enjoy most?
I like to stay dry and warm if I can! I’m also profoundly deaf, so being out in the water would be tricky. I’d love to try it one day though, and I really admire the work of water-based photographers.
Do you find it limiting at all, or does it open up more creative options with composition and storytelling?
It can be limiting, for sure. Water shots bring the viewer right up close with the rider, and that definitely makes edits feel more complete in my opinion.
Have you ever been tempted to shoot in the water, or are you committed to the shoreline view?
I’d love to give it a go, hopefully one day!
When you first started out, you were shooting a mix of surfing and bodyboarding. These days you’re focused almost exclusively on bodyboarding. What made you lean that way?
A few things. Portreath is my local beach and a real bodyboarding hotspot. I also knew some of the lads from years ago, and I was made to feel really welcomed in the community, especially when Dan Catten invited me to film the Cornish Bodyboard Series in 2024.
Do you bodyboard yourself, or has your passion for the sport come purely through the lens?
I don’t bodyboard now, but I had one as a kid and had some fun at Portreath. These days it’s purely through the lens, though I’d love to have a go again sometime.
What do you think makes bodyboarding stand out visually compared to surfing, whether in stills or moving footage?
It feels far more intense to watch, especially when riders are charging heavy slab waves.
This past year your work under the name Boogtube has really been noticed, how has that felt?
It’s been great! I’m stoked to be showcasing such a cool local community.
Was there a moment where you realised your clips or images were starting to blow up?
Pretty much from the start. A few clips got loads of engagement and views, which was a real buzz.
What’s been the most rewarding reaction you’ve had from someone watching your videos or seeing your photos?
Probably capturing someone’s best wave of the session and seeing how stoked they are that I got it on film. Making an edit that the bodyboard community enjoys is super rewarding too.
You’ve been a big supporter of the Cornish Bodyboard Series (the only dedicated bodyboarding competition in England). What made you want to get involved?
That’s such a cool thing to be happening right on my doorstep. There’s no way I was going to miss it.
How important do you think events like the Cornish Bodyboard Series are for keeping the sport alive and visible?
They’re hugely important. These events aren’t just contests — they’re fuel. They keep the sport visible and make sure bodyboarding stays woven into Cornish surf culture.
Has filming and photographing the Series given you a different perspective on bodyboarding compared to shooting free sessions?
Definitely. Seeing everyone come together for the weekend has been amazing, and the amount of spectators that come to watch is next-level.
How would you describe the bodyboarding scene in Cornwall right now?
I’m still pretty new to it, but I’d say it’s booming. Whenever there are waves, there are always people out.
Do you think Boogtuube helps shine a light on it for people who might not otherwise see it?
I hope so!
What’s been your favourite Cornish spot or session to film so far?
It has to be Portreath. There’s no better vibe than when it’s pumping, the wall and the wedge are working and everyone’s out.
Do you ever struggle to balance creative projects with everyday life?
It can get busy, especially in winter. I usually have a backlog of clips and photos I’m working on.
Any funny or sketchy stories from standing on the cliffs or beaches filming sessions?
No accidents so far, but the weather is always a challenge. It’s so unpredictable here, filming in winter can be hard work, but you have to laugh about it.
If you had to pick one clip or image that sums up your Boogtube journey so far, which would it be and why?
That’s tough, there have been so many good ones already.
Do you see yourself pushing Boogtuube further, or keeping it as a passion project?
Purely a passion project.
Any dream shots, edits, or projects you’d love to take on in the future?
There is a certain palace I have in mind when it’s firing, with good lighting, and someone pulling into a huge sweeping left barrel, finishing with an invert. Where, I won’t say.
How can people follow your work and support what you’re doing?
Follow my Instagram page, @boogtuube. Keep liking and sharing the posts, and most of all, the riders need to keep sending it!
If you’d like to enjoy some awesome British waves and score some professional quality video and photos of yourself, join one of our Bodyboard Coaching Weekends in the UK!
