When I was about 14 years old, Kainoa came to one of my local breaks on Kauai. The waves were really good, he was ripping, and I was starstruck. I didn’t know him personally but he was one of my bodyboarding idols. After our session, he approached and asked me if I wanted to ride for his company, Industry. I was blown away, almost in shock. He said “I got a board at the house I'm staying at, it's too small for me and I want you to have it.” It was the sickest board, a hand shaped Xman, and I rode it till it could barely float, haha. I had some good years after that in amateur competition. At 15 years old I made the DK Division final at the State Championships at Ala Moana Bowls. I then went on to finish runner up for 3 years straight before finally, in my 4th and 5th years, I took the victories.
Fast forward to LMNOP and I was now a fan of the Spencer Skipper template and was riding customs that fused various elements from the Skip and Kainoa. I rode that template for a long time as I worked through different design variations. Along the way there were other models that I was influenced by; the Manta Roach model, The BZ Maligs model, and the Aka LMNOP model. All of these have a history in the making of the Bud LTD.
I went on a roll as my professional career kicked in and felt unstoppable. I was never in the international scene but I when I when I did compete and win against some of the best in the world, it was an awesome feeling. I remember some epic battles with Dub at Honolua, Pipe, Sandys and Kahalui. We went back and forth a lot and he got the best of me in my earlier years but then things started clicking again. I won at Pipe 3x, Sandys 3x, and Ledges 3x and finally went to Australia for the DK Sessions Series and won both events and took home the gold. Yeah, things were clicking and I was riding the Bud LTD Design.
Long story short, The Bud LTD design has evolved from years of riding different boards in different waves, and under different circumstances. It is a blend of templates and design elements with tweaks in areas that I felt would improve and elevate the overall design to arrive at what I hope will live on as an iconic design. It is a board designed for airs, reverses and turns and with a rail and channel design that would handle heavy drops and solid barrels. Speed, control, versatility…it is everything I wanted.
I love all aspects of the outdoors; I love to fish, to hunt, hike and camp. But if I had to choose one thing, it would definitely be bodyboarding. I live in California now and have a family and I love seeing my kids connect to the outdoors and progress in their bodyboarding. I hope my model also helps you connect the dots and do some of your best riding ever, time to get on a roll.
Mahalo,
William “Bud” Miyamoto
The Bud Miyamoto "Bud LTD" Signature Model features a kinetic core, surlyn slick, double stringers and two-piece diamond rails on a versatile template with sizes from 41.5 to 44.5".
