Tappa's Green Room Podcast

In our very first live recording of Tappa’s Green Room , captured at the iconic Flotsam Festival. Tappa sit's down with surf photographer Simon “Swilly” Williams, filmmaker Shannon Hayes, and surfer Annie De Santos for a deep dive into the creative heart of surf culture. From the challenges of capturing that perfect wave to the unspoken bond between surfer and shooter, this episode explores the ar...

Tappa sits down with Russell Specht, a proud North Stradbroke Island local who’s spent a lifetime chasing waves and living the island life.  From growing up in a surf-obsessed family to balancing carpentry with competition surfing, Russell shares stories from Straddie’s golden days — and its gnarlier ones too, including close encounters in sharky Indonesian waters.  He reflects on the changing fac...

Tappa sits down with legendary surfboard shaper Phil Myers, tracing his journey from surfing the local breaks to becoming one of Australia’s most respected craftsmen in the shaping bay. Phil shares stories from the golden age of surfing in the ‘60s and ‘70s, reflects on the game-changing invention of the thruster, and pays tribute to influences like George Greenough. From his worst-ever board expe...

Tappa sits down with surfer, TV presenter, and reality show winner Liz Cantor — a true trailblazer who went from grommet in the lineup to becoming the first-ever female judge on the World Championship Surfing Tour. Liz shares the story of her surf-stoked upbringing, her unexpected breakthrough in judging (spoiler: she was too accurate to ignore), and her jump into the media spotlight — from winnin...

Tappa sits down with world champion cyclist, Paralympian, and adaptive surfing legend Matt Formston—a man who proves every day that limits are made to be broken. Born with vision loss, Matt shares his incredible journey through elite sport, from tearing it up on the track to charging big waves on a surfboard. He opens up about how he got into surfing (hint: there was a boogie board and a brutal re...

Tappa sits down with the unmistakable Anthony ‘Harries’ Carroll — the larger-than-life lifeguard from Bondi Rescue . From dramatic saves to celeb run-ins (yes, Hugh Jackman and Joel Edgerton both know him by name), Harries shares the stories behind the sunnies — including how he became one of Bondi’s most recognisable faces. But this convo goes deeper than rip currents. Harries and Tappa chat abou...

Tappa sits down with legendary surfboard shaper Ian Byrne—yes, from that Byrne family—to talk surf, legacy, and the art of making boards that not only ride waves but win hearts. Ian opens up about growing up in a surfing dynasty in New Zealand, the influence of his brothers, and how a few life-changing trips to Hawaii helped shape (literally) his career. We dive into the craft of hand-shaping boar...

Tappa sits down with surf photographer and videographer Shannon Hayes, whose work is making waves in the male-dominated world of surf media. From growing up on the Gold Coast to filming some of the best surfers in the world, Shannon shares her journey, the challenges of being a female videographer in the industry, and her passion for capturing the raw energy of surfing from the water. She talks ab...

Tappa sits down with legendary surfer, boat captain, and Indo surf pioneer Tony "Doris" Eltherington. From his early days body surfing on scraps of plywood on the Gold Coast to navigating uncharted waves in Indonesia, Tony has spent a lifetime chasing the ocean’s best-kept secrets. We dive into his competitive surfing days, the evolution of surfboards, and his wildest adventures on the high seas—i...

Tappa sits down with legendary surfboard shaper Darren Handley. From his early days in Kirra to shaping boards for icons like Mick Fanning and Steph Gilmore, Darren shares his journey from Australian rules football to surfing and, ultimately, to becoming one of the most respected shapers in the industry. They dive into the evolution of Kirra’s surf culture, the balance of artistry and engineering...

Tappa sits down with Glen Workman—better known as Worko—a former rugby league player turned high-performance coach for elite surfers. Worko takes us through his unexpected journey from footy fields to surf breaks, sharing what it’s like to train Olympians and the unique demands of surfing as a sport. He explains how surf coaching is more art than science, requiring a completely different approach...

Tappa sits down with the one and only Serena Brooke—a true pioneer of women’s surfing. From her radical style in the water to her journey through the pro circuit, Serena shares incredible stories about her rise through the ranks, her biggest wins, and the close calls that come with life on the waves. But her journey doesn’t stop there—she also opens up about becoming a mum to twin daughters, her c...

Tappa sits down with surfing legend Tom Carroll for an in-depth conversation about his incredible career and personal journey. From his early days in the waves to his world titles and bold stance against apartheid, Tom reflects on the evolution of professional surfing and his deep connection to Pipeline. They explore the challenges of injuries, the highs and lows of competition, and his path to ov...

Tappa sits down with James Lewis, a former junior surfer who turned his passion for the ocean into a career in coastal engineering. They dive into James’s journey from competitive surfing to shaping the future of our coastlines, discussing innovative projects like artificial reefs and climate resilience efforts in Tuvalu. From preserving surf breaks to protecting vulnerable communities, this episo...

In the very first episode of The Green Room , Tappa sits down with legendary surfer Cheyne Horan. A dedicated competitor with over 32 years of experience—longer than the age of many pro surfers—Cheyne shares how he stayed true to his beliefs in the face of uniformity and ultimately came out on top. They dive into his epic journey through surfing, from memorable rivalries and iconic wins to the evo...