Surf Stories

Morgan Maassen grew up in Santa Barbara chasing waves at Rincon, but it was an injury that got him behind a camera instead of on a board — and the rest is history. He's since become one of surf's most recognizable visual storytellers, known for that dreamy, slow-shutter style that's landed his work in National Geographic , The New York Times , and Surfer Magazine , plus campaigns for Apple, Red Bu...

Luca Merli is a Milan-based filmmaker, photographer, and surf culture champion who has spent more than two decades documenting the soul of Italian surfing. A Goldsmiths College graduate, he founded Block10 and the Onde Nostre collective, producing five award-winning feature films — including Peninsula and Nausicaa — distributed globally on Netflix and major platforms. In 2016, he co-founded the Sk...

Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Derek Hoffmann @derekhoffmann808 fell in love with the ocean and still photography at his home break, Sandy Beach, before moving to the North Shore and picking up a movie camera. His in-water 16mm work on the 1989 theatrical release  Rolling Thunder set the course for a life behind the lens.  He went on to travel the world filming Rip Curl's legendary Search pr...

Cameron Kirkconnell @camkirkconnell sheds skin to scales when the moon is full or as soon as his toe touches saltwater.  He holds his breath for three-times longer than a normal joe, and finds the biggest, and of course, tastiest of fish.  He began his career as a merchant marine, achieving the rank of Unlimited Tonnage Captain, and with six month breaks between ships, he surfed, dove, studied, an...

Pat O'Connell didn't touch saltwater until he was twelve and somehow became one of surfing's most beloved figures. A natural competitor, he represented the U.S. at the 1990 World Amateur Championships before landing a starring role in Bruce Brown's Endless Summer II  — a film that introduced surfing's joy to a whole new generation. He went on to compete on the ASP World Tour for over a decade, pea...

Born and raised in Punta Hermosa, Peru, José Plaza grew up steeped in surf culture — his father Miguel was a pioneer wave rider in Peru and Hawaii during the 1960s, befriending legends like Eddie Aikau and Greg Noll.  That legacy pushed José into the water early and eventually behind the camera. After a chance encounter with filmmaker Wes Brown deep in the Peruvian jungle, José transitioned into f...

Miguel Tudela is one of Peru's top professional surfers, known for his powerful style and consistency on the world stage. A standout in international competitions, he represented Peru in Olympic surfing, showcasing the country's deep surf heritage. Raised on Lima's coastline, Tudela has built a career marked by discipline, resilience, and pride in his roots. He continues to inspire the next genera...

Otto Flores is a Puerto Rican surfer, ocean safety advocate, and environmental activist whose life has been shaped by the OCEAN. After beginning his career as a professional surfer, Flores traveled the world chasing waves and appearing on the covers of major surf publications. One such cover has a story to it, which he shared with us today. Over time, his focus expanded beyond performance to prote...

John Moore @bonfirebeachkids is a designer and co-founder of the sustainable apparel brand Outerknown , launched in 2015 with surfing legend Kelly Slater. A seasoned fashion industry veteran, he brings decades of design and leadership experience to the brand, with a focus on timeless style, ethical manufacturing, and environmental responsibility . Under his creative direction, Outerknown has pushe...

Julian Azulay is an Argentine filmmaker, surfer, and environmental advocate best known as co-founder of Gauchos del Mar @gauchosdelmar. Alongside his brother Joaquín, he has traveled the world by van and sailboat, documenting remote coastlines, surf cultures, and conservation stories. Their independent documentaries blend adventure, social impact, and a deep respect for nature. Julian's work highl...

We are honored to have longtime Florida surfer and shaper, Charley Baldwin @ charleybrealtor , on the podcast, and as an added bonus, his daughter, Marcie, chair of the Smyrna Safari Club. Charley managed to find success in competition through grit and love for surfing. CB has humble beginnings, hosting small surf contests on top of his beach wagon, selling hot dogs, competing and winning, and bec...

Other than not sharing the derivation of the nickname, "Wingnut" @thewingnut  is an open book with a candor and flow meant only for us folks in-the-know.  Sure, Robert Weaver, star of Endless Summer 2 , is a part of the adult-learner apparatus, but he does it in the middle of nowhere with not a lot of interference at your home break.  Does he deserve this dream job?  We think, yes. But it doesn't...

Glen Casey @glen_casey is an Australian surfer best known for his deep roots in surf culture and his raw, no-nonsense approach to riding waves. Growing up around Australia's powerful south coast, Casey earned respect for his commitment to heavy water, classic boards, and the kind of surfing driven more by feel than flash, cutting his teeth with uncrowded Wayne Lynch sessions. He represents a gener...

Ryan Lovelace, known for blending timeless craftsmanship with progressive design, is based in California and Hawaii. His feature film, Almost Cut My Hair , was officially selected for the 2013 Florida Surf Film Festival and is available on YouTube. Lovelace has built a devoted following for boards that emphasize flow, trim, and feel, drawing inspiration from classic displacement hulls and alternat...

Allen Sarlo , @allen_sarlo known as the "Wave Killer," is a legendary surfer whose powerful, aggressive style helped define the early days of Venice Beach's Dogtown scene. A pioneering figure in both surfing and skateboarding, Sarlo brought raw energy and innovation to waves around the world. His fearless approach, competitive drive, and charismatic personality cemented his status as an icon of th...

Live recording from the Rivian South Coast Theater in Laguna Beach on September 22, 2025: Greg MacGillivray @gregmacgillivray @macfreefilms is an iconic filmmaker, innovator, and master of giant-screen storytelling whose career spans more than five decades. As co-founder of MacGillivray Freeman Films, he has created over 60 acclaimed IMAX documentaries, captivating audiences with breathtaking imag...

Brad Gerlach @waveki is one of surfing's most dynamic and influential figures—a former world tour standout known for his explosive power, progressive style, and fearless approach to waves of consequence. After finishing runner-up to the world title in 1991, Gerr reinvented himself as a big-wave pioneer, tow-surfing trailblazer, and style icon. Beyond competition, he's become a respected coach, men...

On this episode of Surf Stories , we're joined by filmmaker and surfer Takuji Masuda , director of BUNKER77 , which captured the wild, short-lived legend of Bunker Spreckels and Best Documentary - Feature (2017) at Florida Surf Film Festival . A lifelong student of surf history and culture, Takuji shares his story of emigrating from Japan to Canada and the U.S., making his mark and earning his spo...

Laird Hamilton @lairdhamilton is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and fearless watermen of our time. A legendary big-wave surfer, pioneer and innovator of tow-in and foil surfing, and lifelong ocean explorer, Laird has spent decades redefining what's possible on the water. Beyond his groundbreaking achievements in surfing, he's an entrepreneur, fitness innovator, and wellness advocate...

Dr. Jason Old is a surfer, historian, and storyteller who's spent decades chasing waves and uncovering the deeper stories behind them. With a PhD in Latin American history, he's lived and surfed in Nicaragua, Peru, and Bali, researching how surf culture shapes local communities and economies. Jason also hosts  The Surfing Historian  podcast, where he dives into the history and culture of surfing a...

Pro surfer and entrepreneur  Holly Beck  joins us to share her incredible journey — from competing on the world tour to building  Surfing With Amigas , one of the most inspiring women's surf camp communities in the world. Now expanding into family and men's trips, Holly has perfected the ultimate surf getaway experience. We dive into surfing, travel, entrepreneurship, and creating a life fueled by...

From the pool to the ocean, Scott Smith's journey has been anything but ordinary. A former water polo player turned filmmaker, Scott built his career behind the lens with Body Glove and PADI, where his natural eye for action and storytelling translated seamlessly into surf cinematography and editing. His work has taken him around the globe. Scott's close friendship and collaboration with the late...

Carrying the Florida flag, filmmaker and photographer Paul Prewitt captured unforgettable East Coast surf footage from 1985 to 1988—from West Palm Beach to New Hampshire and beyond—mesmerizing audiences with A+ setups and raw talent in Atlantic Crossing . After a successful career in film and television, Paul is now turning his focus to documenting the rich history of surf filmmaking and photograp...

Lakey Peterson is a professional surfer from Santa Barbara, California, known for her progressive aerial maneuvers and athletic approach to surfing. She began surfing at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks, winning multiple NSSA titles and becoming a force on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour. Beyond her competitive achievements, Lakey is also an advocate for environmental c...

Richard Yelland's Birth of the Endless Summer starring Dick Metz is a masterpiece. Cataloguing the inimitable journeyman's anecdotes, love affairs, and risky passages across the globe in the late fifties and beyond, Richard puts his documentary chops on display along with priceless photos and interviews with key players in what played a massive role in Bruce Brown's denouement in The Endless Summe...