Surf Splendor

The Grit! with Chas Smith is now exclusively available on it's own podcast feed. Pull up your app, search "The Grit" and click subscribe so that you never miss an episode. This week we console each other about divorce, Chas finds out he has skin cancer, and we solve all of the surf world's biggest problems. … Continue reading "Get The Grit! on it's own podcast feed!" Learn more about your ad choic...

Dave Prodan is the SVP of Global Brand Identity for the World Surf League. He's been with the organization since 2005 and has evolved through various roles and has helped shape the WSL as we experience it today. On today's show, Prodan provides insights into the changes to the 2018 'CT season, addresses rumors, makes … Continue reading "207 – Dave Prodan from the World Surf League" Learn more abou...

In today's salacious episode of The Grit!, Chas and David discuss Ashton's police report and the fallout involved with sending a Sheriff to the Surfrider Foundation's offices, backroom deals on the North Shore and its relation to police corruption in Honolulu, plus sexbots, Shaun White, and so much more! Take the candy! Support Surfrider.org and … Continue reading "015 – The Grit! February 19, 201...

Today's episode is with master laminator Alex "Superwolf" Villalobos. Superwolf laminates for Ryan Burch, Joel Tudor, Jeff McCallum, and is well renowned as one of surfing's finest laminators and resin colorists. Superwolf not only shares his origin story, but also illuminates what you should look for when you purchase a surfboard, how to order a … Continue reading "205 – Superwolf" Learn more abo...

In today's episode of The Grit! Chas and David reflect on #DebateGate and ponder the fallacy of bad publicity. They also discuss their experiences at Surf Ranch, analyze the WSL's $30 million dollar Facebook partnership and their withdrawal from Hawai'i, and Chas pleads for bartending work. Oh, and a round of everyone's favorite game, Barrel … Continue reading "014 – The Grit! February 5, 2018" Le...

Well, the secret is out. On November 21st, 2017 I surfed Kelly's Surf Ranch with 14 friends and members of surf media. In today's episode I recap the day with two of the attendees, writers Jamie Brisick and Matt Warshaw. We discuss the mechanics of the wave itself, how much we'd pay to surf it … Continue reading "203 – Surf Ranch with Jamie Brisick & Matt Warshaw" Learn more about your ad choices....

In today's episode we wax on with superstar photographer, Clark Little. Clark shares his origin story, explains why he gave up surfing, details how he became friends with the prince of Dubai, and how a $200,000 gamble has altered the course of his life. Enjoy! Follow @ClarkLittle and ClarkLittlePhotography.com And watch Clark's "Shorebreak" series on … Continue reading "202 – Clark Little" Learn m...

In today's episode we chat with surfboard shaper Manny Caro. Manny shares his origin story, how nature informs his surfboard design theory, formative experiences with Rich Pavel and Marc Andreini, the importance of sourcing locally made building materials, and how to cultivate sustainable growth in a business. Enjoy! Visit MandalaCustomShapes.com and follow @SwallowTailSociety Twelve years ago … C...

Today's episode is a heated debate between surf media's Ashton Goggans from Stab Magazine and Chas Smith from BeachGrit. Topics range from the professional to the very personal and tempers flare into a physical altercation (33 minute mark!). Chas's mudslinging tactics, Stab's comments section, deleted articles, payment withholdings from advertisers, it's all covered here. Welcome … Continue readin...

Jamie Brisick is a former pro surfer turned writer. He was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship in 2008. His stories have appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Surfer's Journal. He's written 3 books, his most recent "Becoming Westerly" tells the true story of Australian surfing champion Peter Drouyn transitioning to Westerly Windina. Jamie … Continue reading "199 – Jamie Brisick" Learn mo...

It's John John Day! Join Chas and David as they celebrate JJF's 2nd World Title, JFlo's 2nd Pipe Masters win, and Dirty Gabe's perennial villain status. The boys discuss why God forsaked Gabriel, why the WSL judges need to stay in Santa Monica all year long, the break-up of surfing's biggest power couple, and why … Continue reading "198 – The Grit! December 19, 2017" Learn more about your ad choic...

In today's episode we Wax On with Matt Warshaw. Matt tells us his origin story, what compelled him to chronicle surfing's history, the value of distancing one's self from the act of surfing, while he gave away all his surfboards, and what's next for the Encyclopedia of Surfing. Enjoy! Support the Encyclopedia of Surfing by … Continue reading "197 – Matt Warshaw: The Encyclopedia of Surfing" Learn...

In today's episode of The Grit! David and Chas discuss what price would be required for them to sell-out to traditional surf media, why Wade Carmichael will dominate 2018, they implore Joe Turpel to learn how to Omoplata, and discuss the ethics of telling someone to "suck a dick". Take the candy! FOLLOW UP Surfrider … Continue reading "012 – The Grit! with Chas Smith, December 6, 2017" Learn more...

Today we Wax On with "the most interesting surfer in the world" (according to Surfing Magazine), Dave Parmenter. Dave responds to the public's perception of him being a curmudgeon, he recounts the time he rode a longboard in the OP Pro, he explains his current exploration of foil surfing, dissects fin design and set-up, and … Continue reading "195 – Dave Parmenter" Learn more about your ad choices...

The most important detail about today's episode of The Grit! is that David and Chas solve of all surfing's race relations. You're welcome. Additionally, Chas explains his falling out with Morgan Maassen and why he wants to buy an SUP. David then shares the joys of surfing naked and novelty waves. Take the candy! FOLLOW … Continue reading "011 – The Grit! November 21, 2017" Learn more about your ad...

The release of The Seawolf marks the debut of a very talented artist. As a musician, a cinematographer, a director, and as a storyteller, Ben Gulliver delivers one of the best surf films of 2017. In today's episode of Wax On, we chat about how Ben journeyed from the Canadian skate scene into surfing, how to … Continue reading "193 – The Seawolf, Ben Gulliver" Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

Today's episode of The Grit! is brought to you by you, the listener! The entire episode was crafted from user submitted comments, emails, and DMs. What starts as lighthearted quickly devolves into a therapy session where both David and Chas question their surfing abilities, their reasons for surfing, and their entire life's path. It's a … Continue reading "010 – The Grit! November 6, 2017" Learn m...

Today's episode is engineered with auditory sensitization systems with hollow fiber ear canal mapping designed to enhance inner cochlea stimulation! Don't miss it! Oh, and David and Chas discuss Zach Weisberg's hurt feelings, JJF's secret power, and which style of tattoo is the new Tramp Stamp. Enjoy! TURMOIL IN SURF MEDIA! Stab punks The Inertia  Click … Continue reading "009 – The Grit! with Cha...

Matt Calvani is the owner and head shaper of Bing Surfboards. Bing Surfboards is one of very few remaining California legacy surfboard brands. Founded in 1959 by Bing Copeland, Calvani officially partnered in the business in 2007. In today's episode of Shaping Surfing, Calvani discusses the responsibility of fostering a legacy, the challenges of keeping … Continue reading "190 – Matt Calvani" Lear...

In today's episode of The Grit! Chas and David pay homage to the fabulous wordsmiths who market wetsuits (Technobutter!), then discuss the cancelation of The Eddie, which surf media outlet employs the finest surfers, why we're boycotting the WSL, and why you should never put a sticker on your surfboard. Plus, a round of #KookAndCurren … Continue reading "008 – The Grit! October 9, 2017" Learn more...

Ashton Goggans is a writer and the new Editor-in-Chief of Stab Magazine. Today's conversation centers around the ever evolving media landscape, where Surfer Magazine is failing, revitalizing the importance of the cover shot, the limitations of a hi-performance shortboard focus, and how Stab will compete for relevance in the Insta-age. Enjoy! Follow @SurfSplendor and @AshtonSealegs … Continue readi...

In today's episode of Shaping Surfing with chat with North Shore shaper Jon Pyzel. From humble beginning in Santa Barbara to a life changing encounter with Alexandra Florence, Pyzel details his origin story, the inciting incidents and the motivating factors that have inspired a life dedicated to surfing. He also shares about his relationship with … Continue reading "187 – Jon Pyzel" Learn more abo...

Shaping Surfing with Jon Pyzel is getting bumped back to next week so that we can recap the historic day that was "The Test" at Kelly Slater's Wave Ranch. In this episode of The Grit! David and Chas discuss the emergence of elitism to surfing, the WSL's policy to bar media from the event, surf … Continue reading "007 – The Grit! September 21, 2017" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...

In today's gargantuan sized (vodka & coco fueled) episode of Grit! David and Chas battle over who is more "racist", they analyze whether Gerry Lopez is still able to get barreled, discuss whether it's okay to pee in Kelly's pool, and when it's appropriate to tell your male friend "I love you" (spoiler alert, always). … Continue reading "006 – The Grit! September 11, 2017" Learn more about your ad...

In today's episode we Wax On with San Diego mid-length impresario Devon Howard. A writer, professional surfer, marketing consultant, and surf history advocate, Devon shares how San Diego surf culture has influenced surfboard design, why surf writers are too scared to tell the truth, which surf website is akin to McDonalds, why you need an … Continue reading "184 – Devon Howard" Learn more about yo...