Surf Splendor Archives - Surf Splendor

The Shaper’s Shack is a four part series featuring some of Australia’s finest surfboard shapers. From inventing the Thruster, to developing renewable materials, incorporating artificial intelligence into shaping,  and scaling a global business, these shapers share their blueprint and speculate on the future. Today’s episode features Darcy Day, Michael Psillakis, Alex Crews, and the father &#...

The Shaper Shack is a four part series featuring some of Australia’s finest surfboard shapers. From inventing the Thruster, to developing renewable materials, incorporating artificial intelligence into shaping,  and scaling a global business, these shapers share their blueprint and speculate on the future. Today’s episode features Chris Garrett, Andrew Mooney, Bryan Bates, Dylan Perese, and &#8230...

Introducing The Shaper’s Shack, a four part series featuring some of Australia’s finest surfboard shapers. From inventing the Thruster, to developing renewable materials, incorporating artificial intelligence into shaping, and scaling a global business, these shapers share their blueprint and speculate on the future. Today’s episode features Simon Anderson, Nick Blair, Sam Tehan, and Finn Wh...

Donald Brink joins us to discuss the challenge of building a <5’3″ surfboard for the 3x World Champ, the benefits and limitations of collaborating with one of the world’s most revered shapers, the reason why he’ll only ever build two boards a week, and why you should assess the auditory frequency and resonance of your … Continue reading "430 – Donald Brink:...

In today’s episode Darren Handley details his first encounters with Stephanie Gilmore and Mick Fanning, he explains the challenges of scaling his business internationally and why he’s chosen to outsource some of his manufacturing. He explains how a new shaping robot has improved his business and his five years plan to in introduce a motorized … Continue reading "429 – Darren Handley: D...

Shannon Hughes joins us to discuss how philanthropic work at Jeffrey’s Bay lead to her commentating for the WSL, how to compartmentalize on-air anxiety, the value of abandoning preparedness, and the fiscal and ethical imperative for professional surfing to reflect the way surfing exists in the real world. Enjoy! Sponsor: WaterWaysTravel.com Sponsor: AthleticGreens.com/surf Sponsor: REALWater...

Brad Gerlach joins us to discuss how Olympic diving informed his surf style, his realization that he has over-surfed nearly ever wave in his life, he explains the virus embedded within surfing’s language, and offers compelling advice for why you should interview your dad. Enjoy! Sponsor: SunBum.com promo code “SURFSPLENDOR” for 15% off one time purchase … Continue reading "427 –...

Pro surf phoenix Victor Bernardo joins us to discuss the unexpected new chapter in his career, being deported and separated from his wife for five months, a sponsor dropping him and then pleading mea culpa, whether style can be learned, and how slowing down has allowed him the focus to execute his goals. Enjoy! Sponsor: WaterWaysTravel.com … Continue reading "426 – Victor Bernardo" The...

? Laurie Towner is a product of, victim of, and beneficiary of the surf industry boom and bust. Today he tells us about the early glory days, the virtue of working in the trades, and how those experiences positioned him perfectly to spend a year on the road with the wife and kids chasing surf, … Continue reading "425 – Laurie Towner: Slow Lane" The post 425 – Laurie Towner: Slow...

The Academy Award nominated documentary filmmaker joins us to discuss his new memoir, the 50th anniversary of his seminal surf film, working with Stanley Kubrick, nearly dying at Sunset while filming Big Wednesday, and the immeasurable dividends paid when you pursue your life’s passion. Enjoy! Sponsor: WaterWaysTravel.com Sponsor: AthleticGreens.com/surf Sponsor: REALWaterSports.com Sponsor:...

Surf industry stalwart Dario Phillips joins us to discuss lessons learned from within big surf brands during the boom years, how to bootstrap a concept into a reality, the power of partnership, why lean is strong, and how encouraging work/life balanced life fuels productivity. Enjoy! Sponsor: SunBum.com promo code “SURFSPLENDOR” for 15% off one time purchase … Continue reading "423 – D...

Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Chris Shiflett joins us to discuss whether music can be objectively bad, why you ought never foist your preferences on your children, how surf videos of the early 90s led to his role with The Foo Fighters, and how family life has kept him grounded amidst the centrifuge … Continue reading "422 – Chris Shiflett of The Foo Fighters" The post 422 &...

The story of Gordon and Smith surfboard closely mirrors the story of surfing in Southern California. The brand is credited with introducing the first surf logo tee, the first shaping machine, the first surf skateboard, and much more. Today Debbie Gordon reflects on the six decade journey and explains why focusing on quality surfboards is … Continue reading "421 – Debbie Gordon: G &#038...

Jeff & Ryan Hurley join us to discuss sharing their childhood bedroom with Occy and Sunny, lessons learned from their father’s big gamble, the art of a well-executed exit, the importance of aligning one’s work and value system, and how a brand can make an impact in the world. Enjoy! Sponsor: WaterWaysTravel.com Sponsor: FlorenceMarineX.com Sponsor: … Continue reading "420 &#8...

Publisher Steve Pezman joins us to discuss his new book, how to succeed in print publishing in 2022, why modern surfing needs more counter-culture figures, lament the interviews that he still hasn’t gotten, and explain why Olympic surfing showcases a false representation of the sport. Enjoy! Sponsor: SunBum.com promo code “SURFSPLENDOR” for 15% off one … Continue reading "4...

Sterling Spencer returns to discuss the dark repercussions of his brain injury, his path through recovery, how his audience has given him purpose, the importance of kindness, the kindness of Machado, and as cliche as it sounds, the healing powers of the sea. Enjoy! Sponsor: FlorenceMarineX.com promo code “SURF” for 20% off Sponsor: AthleticGreens.com/surf Sponsor: REALWaterSports.com Sponsor: Link...

Dane Hantz returns to discuss withdrawing Vulcan Surfboards from the market, how the shaping machine is enabling an authoritative archiving of surfboard history, the disconnect between the surf industry and surf culture, and how one physical altercation in the water has kept his dry docked for the past two years. Enjoy! Sponsor: FlorenceMarineX.com promo code “SURF” … Continue reading "417 &...

Dick Metz returns to discuss the new documentary featuring his return to South Africa to relive and revisit the journey that inspired The Endless Summer. He also recounts his role in the early days of Clark Foam, working with a young Gerry Lopez, his relationship with Duke, and how he came to acquire the unequivocal … Continue reading "416 – Dick Metz: Part Five" The post 416 – D...

Sasha Jane Lowerson made international news last month for winning Women’s Longboard Title’s in West Oz, not for the feat itself, but for the fact that she had been competing for the previous three decades in the men’s divisions. Today she share’s her thoughts on the Internet’s fervent response to her wins, she addresses questions … Continue reading "415 –...

Pro surfer turned media man Dylan Graves is now using his popular Vlog to dissect social dilemma’s that surf media historically has willfully ignored. Through doing so, he’s also successfully transitioned his pro surf career into a new chapter where he’s found more meaning and purpose. Today we discuss the journey, motivations, and his imperative … Continue reading "414 &#8...

? Self proclaimed “pro surf fraud”, Benji Weatherley joins us to chat about being cancelled by the WSL, his regrettable compulsion for making excuses, how his 10 disappeared years were his happiest and most informative, and why being honest about addiction staves off depression and helps keep the narrative light. Enjoy! Sponsor: FlorenceMarineX.com promo code “SURF” … Continue re...

Jon Pyzel joins us from Bali to discuss JJF’s one-universal-board theory, the value of growing a business slower than its potential, why he keeps such a small roster of athletes, the risks involved with so closely tying his brand to one athlete, and his accidental path to being business savvy. Enjoy! Sponsor: FlorenceMarineX.com promo code … Continue reading "412 – Jon Pyzel" The...

Artist Drew Brophy catapulted to surf world fame in the 90s by when his artwork adorned the boards that sparked a cultural movement. He parlayed that popularity over the next three decades into television and film work, corporate commissions, and fine art. In November 2021, he contracted COVID and spent 28 days in a coma. … Continue reading "411 – Drew Brophy" The post 411 – Drew...

Wayne Rich is an International Surfboard Builder Hall of Famer and a 2x Icons of Foam winner. In this episode Wayne details his childhood in Hermosa Beach during the heyday of Noll, Bing, and Weber. He unpacks asymmetrical board design and discusses how the wipeout that nearly paralyzed him altered his perspective on surfing, shaping, … Continue reading "410 – Wayne Rich" The post 410...

Waterman, the award winning Duke Kahanamoku documentary hit theaters last week. Today filmmaker Isaac Halasima discusses Duke’s extraordinary life, how he navigated the delicate nature of sharing a vested story, and how Waterman will serve in the long legacy of Polynesian oral tradition. Enjoy! Sponsor: AthleticGreens.com/surf Sponsor: LinkedIn.com/surf Sponsor: WaterWaysTravel.com Sponsor: ...