Along the Keel

Offshore wind has stirred controversy in recent years, especially in Rhode Island with the Block Island wind farm construction starting in 2015. Some see it as the future of energy, while others view it as a threat to our way of life. We gathered local fishing industry experts to discuss offshore wind's impact on Rhode Island and neighboring states. Tune in; it's an episode worth hearing, as we al...

In this week's episode of Along the Keel, we sit down with Josh and Ted, the founders of 1620 workwear. From the start of 1620, the guys made it their mission to deliver high-quality workwear to the underserved blue-collar industry. 1620 utilizes custom fabrics and designs and makes 100% of its products here in the USA. It's a story of that embodies what it means to start a brand and what better c...

In this week's episode of Along the Keel, I sit down with Rick Whittenbaker, Chief Marketing Officer for Howler Brothers. Nestled deep in the heart of Austin, Texas, Howler Brothers brings together a unique perspective on outdoor culture and what most would describe as good wholesome living. Fishing, surfing, exploring, and having a good time are all part of the Howlerverse, and it's no surprise t...

In this week’s episode of Along the Keel, I sit down with Trevor Heath one of the founders of Watchtower. The software was originally developed to help lifeguards better manage their areas of operation. However, it has since been curtailed into an all-in-one safety platform, acting as a digital command center for first responders. Trevor and I go into the details behind the platform, some of the s...

On this week's episode of Along the Keel, we head south to Cape May, New Jersey, a small seaside town on the May Peninsula known for its beaches, boardwalks, and delicious tilefish tacos. We grab a beer with our friend Aaron at the Cape May Brewery to get the backstory on The Qualified Captain, a brand synonymous with the boating community. What was once a way for buddies to share funny videos has...

In this week's podcast episode, we help ring in the 2022 Waterman Eco-Challenge, sitting down with Brian, Dave, and Liz to get the scoop on this year's eco-challenge. Tune in to learn more about the WEC, what's new this year, and a few stories from the past. Competitors of all different levels converge on Narragansett Beach on July 16th for a one-mile swim and three-mile ocean paddle, for a good c...

On this week's episode of Along the Keel we retreat from Rhode Island’s lackluster spring weather, in hopes to hook up on a few drums and have a long-awaited chat with Ryan, Tim, and Nick who this month usher in a new era for the Chasing Tides Collective. After an honorable attempt to catch some fish and a wet ride home, we dried off, grabbed a beer, and sat down at the Make and Ride Surf Exchange...

In this week’s episode, Zach sits down with Zack Helminiak, founder of Nomadix. After a cross-country road trip, four friends found themselves packed tight into a 98’ Subaru Outback racking their brains for a high-quality product that was able to do more with less. After some R&D and a passion for travel and sustainability, they found themselves landing on Nomadix, a catch-all towel made from 100%...

Dotting the surface of the water in a cove along the West Passage sits line after line of oysters. The cages bob up and down with the wind and current while the tide feeds the oysters the necessary nutrients for them to grow. Today, aquaculture is seeing a resurgence in Rhode Island, from the Salt Ponds of South county to the coves of Narragansett Bay. The coastal economy has always been an import...

With the spring thaw in full effect, it's hard not to get excited about the warmer weather. Reminiscing about the times that we can spend back out on the banks of the river or on the bow of a skiff casting away and waiting for something to bite. No matter the style of fishing you prefer, it's hard not to appreciate the art of fly fishing. It is said that success lies when the practice meets patien...

With spring officially here and the final days of winter coming to a close, we take a trip down to Richmond, Rhode Island, venturing into Ocean State Spearguns R&D facility sitting down with founder Matt Novakovich. What started as a hobby, and building guns for friends and family has quickly turned into a business, making guns for folks from around the country and giving him an excuse to spend mo...

Hustling farmer's markets on weekends, shucking over 1,000 oysters a weekend, it became apparent that the shucking knives on the market weren't holding up to the task. After some re-designing founder, Casey Davidson had himself a “better mousetrap” and began selling knives out of his Hatchback. The side hustle quickly became his main hustle and before long Casey would become responsible for a comp...

As we continue to evolve we want to not only learn about the brands being built by the coastline, but also those who are building their lives by the coastline. So in launching this new segment of the show, we ring in the new year with my friend Danny "Boarman" Bolton. An adventurer, truck builder/racer, spearfishermen, entrepreneur, hunter, fisherman, coffee farmer and traveller. The list could ke...

It's not your typical episode of Along the Keel, and yet it may be the most important one yet. With the new year here, it's only natural to reflect on where we have been and what's to come. We take a moment to reflect on the past year and announce the next evolution of Along the Keel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leaving his home state of Virginia, Kurt Tobias and his wife moved down to Florida’s Emerald Coast, pursuing what he thought would be a dream job. Late nights and early mornings after work and in-between training sessions, Kurt slowly built Choona before flipping the bird to corporate life and chasing the waterways less navigated. He set out to create a brand that puts purpose before process and y...

On this week's episode of the podcast, Capt. Zach sits down with another Capt. Zach, the creator of the Thrash Can. As a serial entrepreneur, Zach always solved problems, especially if they were detrimental to the coastline. It wasn't until a trip to Costa Rica, loose trash in the cockpit, and a napkin sketch would eventually bring the Thrash Can to life. This episode of the podcast isn't just abo...

This week Zach heads down to iconic Point Judith, Rhode Island, home to good surfing, great beaches, and of course, fishing. We chop it up with locals Matt and Mike in the cockpit of the Tuff Guy, a Wesmac built for the rough waters of the northeast. Today we learn the ins and outs of Deep Apparel, a brand rooted in outdoor and fishing culture while creating gear that’s good for the boat or headin...

In this week's episode, Zach sits down with Al Perkinson, founder of Bajio. After well over a decade building Costa sunglasses, Al had decided to change course, take his experience, and build a sunglasses company that incorporates his love for the ocean and building positive change. Bajio, meaning “shallows” in Spanish pays tribute to the estuaries, low-country, and origin for life in our oceans....

In this week's episode, Zach sits down with Steven Wilcox, founder of PARKIT. Looking under the hood of hundreds of brands and having worked for some of the world's most well-known surf brands, it was only a matter of time for Steven to find an opportunity to build his own. After a trip with some friends and his buddy falling flat in his camp chair, the idea for the most versatile outdoor chair wa...

In this week's episode of the podcast, Zach sits down with Lange from @deckhandlogbook, an app, and software helping to bring the fishing industry to the 21st century. Through the use of electronic reporting, Deckhand Log Book puts the power of technology in the hands of the fishermen. Giving them an easy-to-use platform that accurately tracks trips, and reports on valuable data, and in turn helps...

Twin brothers with one mission, change the world one mangrove at a time! Rooted in Florida, Keith and Kyle have planted 142 acres of mangroves worldwide, created 11.1 million dollars in ecosystem services, and simultaneously educated thousands on the importance of Mangroves. All funded through the sale of high-quality apparel and gear designed around protecting and restoring our coastlines. Tune i...

In this week's episode, we recap the Waterman Eco-Challenge, an event we live-streamed from Narragansett Beach earlier this month. The event brings together watermen from around New England for a one-mile swim and a three-mile ocean paddle, all for a good cause. Throughout the day, we sat down with the folks who make this event so special and one that keeps growing year after year. Big shout out t...

In this week's episode, Zach sits down with the brothers from Relic, an apparel company bridging the gap between style and impact. Hand-designed and printed in Long Island, Aiden and Alex have created a unique brand that aims to help restore Long Island sounds Oyster reefs while educating people about the threats to our coastline. The apparel is much more than a hand-drawn design, but rather a way...

In this week’s episode, Zach sits down with Brian and Eric, the guys behind the Deadrise Project, a company that encompasses the full spirit and soul of the center console lifestyle. Their style extends into surf, moto, bike, skate, vintage trucks, and anything else that connects people with the coast and outdoors. If you are someone who loves the coast and the vintage vibe then this episode is fo...

This week's episode is a bit different than what you might typically hear on Along the Keel. We touch on how the business was built and focus on how the guys at Viking Village and Couch Chronicles are "re-branding" the fishing industry. Today's episode looks to open the conversation to the current status of American fishing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices