Surf Splendor

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Nicolas Godin,  What Makes Me Think About You The Lijadu Sisters, Come On Home Learn mo...

Laurie Towner is a product of, victim of, and again 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, fish, and exploring the vast Australian wilderness. Watch Slow Lane here. Learn more about your ad ch...

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! Intro Music: Honk, Pipeline Sequence Outro Music: The Beach Boys, Feel Flows Learn more about your ad cho...

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! Intro Music: The Durutti Column,  Sketch For Summer Outro Music: The Fruit Bats,  The Ruminant Band Learn more abou...

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 of rock star vice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 now as important as ever. Enjoy! Intro Music: Does It Really...

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Link to Steve's first appearance on Surf Splendor in 2014, Episode 35 Intro Music: Tim Buckley, Buzzin' Fly...

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! Intro Music: Alex Ebert, Truth Outro Music: Anderson. Paak, The Bird Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dick Metz returns to discuss a 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 greatest collection of surfboards in the world. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choi...

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 of fairness, and details the cost of suppressing one's true self. E...

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 to expand surfings inclusivity.  Intro Music: Solan...

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! Intro Music: Edward Sharp, That's What's Up Outro Music: The Black Keys, Everlas...

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Today he recounts the experience and attempts to process life after returnin...

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, and life. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...

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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surf lampooner Jonathan Wayne Freeman joins us to recount his fast rise to Instagram stardom, warn about the perils of pretending to be a manly man, offer insights for how to pursue a childhood dream in your 40s, and tell the tale of being chased across the Pacific by the posse of a famous, fun-loving hippy. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fourth generation magician, surfing's kickflip pioneer, and Santa Cruz stalwart regales us with stories of having Barney as a neighbor, how expected recognition is an empty pursuit, the power of positivity, and how to turn grief into fuel for your life's work. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Jacobs sits at the nexus of surf content distribution. The top filmmakers in surf rely on him to ensure their work finds its way to you, regardless of what platforms you're on; no easy task when audiences are dispersed and attention spans are waning. Today he explains the complications and opportunity that exist for filmmakers and dissects his next big projects. Enjoy! Learn more about your a...

Sean Murphy ditched the suit and tie and the weight of his parent's expectations to follow a pipe dream. His life experience uniquely positioned him to develop a niche business that would come to influence the surf world beyond measure. Today he shares his origin story and explains why relationships are fundamental to business success and what surf travel looks like post-COVID. Enjoy! Learn more a...

Stephen Cooney was raised on the Northern Beaches of Sydney in the 50s and 60s. At the age of 16, Albe Falzon invited him to Bali to surf in his upcoming, now seminal, surf film. Cooney found himself embedded within three simultaneous flash points in surfing; the shortboard revolution, the MOTE movement, and the launching of Tracks magazine. Today we revisit the stories and photos through his newl...