Vast Lives

Cassiem Collier, is a leader and elder in the Muizenberg Cape Town Surfing community. Banner Image Credit : Nic Bothma In this episode 29 of the Vast Lives podcast. Steve and Cass sit down for a cup of coffee and fond recollection of the indellibale mark he and Ian Armstrong left in 1999 at The Todos Santos big Wave Championship. The stage was set and the world's greatest big wave riders gath...

Vast Lives episode 28 with Wang Qwei also affectionately known as Queeny by her peers. Steve and Queeny discuss her role in the local surfing community but most notably her versatility and drive which has made her not only an accomplished Surfer but an Entrepreneur.  It was clear from the outset that Queeny is passionate about her goals. During the conversation Steve was surprised to learn that sh...

In this episode, Steve travels to the infamous Jeffreys Bay, South Africa—otherwise known as  J-Bay—considered by the global surf community to be one of the finest right-hand point breaks in the world. Steve meets with local legend Bruce Gold. And while the term “legend” is often overused, in Bruce’s case, it’s well-earned. He has been part of the J-Bay community for over six decades, dating back...

In this episode Steve chats to Keith Kajioka, founder of Formosa Surfboards.  Growing up in a middle-class neighborhood Keith opened up about his family challenges. Keith's experiences resonated with Steve who could relate due to having similar struggles growing up. Keith recounted his early jobs which allowed him to surf during the day. His passion for surfing was clear, and a priority for h...

In this episode, Steve sat down with the talented and multifaceted artist Rima. They quickly built rapport around their joint appreciation for the natural beauty of coastal Taiwan. These places are vitally important to Rima for grounding herself and reconnecting with nature. Rima was raised in Taiwan which, combined with her Lebanese heritage meant that she was constantly exposed to many languages...

In this episode, Steve meets Mick Yu Tsang Chou — founder, shopkeeper, and unlikely surf evangelist — whose boutique surf shop quietly anchors a growing community on the fringes of Taipei’s fast-paced urban life. o From Taipei’s dense streets to the open water: how Mick discovered surfing at 20 and cultivated a deep connection with nature. o A formative stint in California’s Orange County, where s...

Join Steve as he travels to the scenic east coast of Taiwan to sit down with Josh Campbell, co-founder of Taiwanderful Recycle Co, for an inspiring conversation about innovative recycling solutions and community engagement. Discover how this unique studio is transforming plastic waste into purposeful products through education and hands-on involvement. o - Steve's visit to Donghe and the impo...

It was a rainy evening, Steve and some of the Vast crew visited Jim Hayes surf shop Tropical Blends based in Ji'an. The day had been packed with surf exploration in and around Hualien County, Taiwan. As the crew caught their breath they were mesmerised by the scent of resin, wood and surf wax. A space where any surfer would admit to having a sensory overload. As Steve and Jim dived into their...

In Episode 21 of the latest Vast Lives podcast Steve sits down with Jaz Kaner — Jaz is not just a stand-up comic but a musician who runs a surf school Banzai, all the way in Huntington Beach California. They ended up recording at the Vast surf shop tucked away in downtown Taiwan, a backdrop that perfectly captured the discussion about a recent, pretty wild island trip filled with nature, killer su...

In this episode 20 of the Vast Lives podcast. Steve and well respected artist OK Liao sat down to get deep about a few subjects close to OK's heart. OK's home is adorned with art and memorabilia that gives one the feeling of a warm welcoming Aloha spirit. His home and studio are a testament to his love for Hawaii and the Ocean in general. A palette of minty greens and dusty pink's c...

In this much anticipated episode 19 of the Vast Lives Podcast, Steve get's a chance to have a discussion with Jun Jo—a surfer with a creative twist—in a beautiful field near Taichung, Taiwan. It was all part of a long, winding 10‑year friendship tour, Steve felt lucky to listen in as Jun unraveled his own journey from wave riding to making bold moves in the creative world. The conversation ju...

In episode 18 of the Vast LIves Podcast, Steve Shooter visits the beautiful farm of Yvonne and Rachel, two passionate beekeepers who are based close to Kenting National Park in Taiwan. Surrounded by the sounds of bees buzzing and nature's beauty, Steve discovers their unconventional path to becoming beekeepers and how they fell in love with nature. The discussion started by learning about the...

Vast Lives Ep. 16: Sam Yang   In this episode of Vast Lives podcast, Steve Shooter sits down with Sam Yang, the founder of VAST, at their Taipei HQ. They discussed the brand's ten-year history, how Taiwan developed its surf culture, and why sustainability matters now. The conversation starts with talking about the recent 10-year friendship tour in Taiwan, its landscapes, cultures, and foods....

In this episode 17 of Vast Lives, host Steve Shooter sits down with multi-talented Birdy Nio, a film director, handpan musician, and surfer, in vibrant Taipei. Birdy is a free-spirited and introspective individual who draws inspiration from the world around him. His filmmaking career started in a passion for breakdancing, where he would record himself and create projects for his friends and local...

Join us in this inspiring episode of The Vast Lives podcast as we sit down with Peter Panjaitan, a passionate surfer and the driving force behind the Bali Life Foundation. Recorded in a beautiful studio setting, Peter shares his incredible journey from the corporate world to dedicating his life to helping underprivileged children and families in Bali. In this episode, we discuss: The warmth and co...

Vast. Lives Ep. 14: Betet Merta aka Da Guy In this episode, I had a chance to sit down with my good friend Betet Merta aka Da Guy in the newly opened surf store called Outside Corner, right in the heart of Uluwatu. Abuzz with surfers and shoppers I could feel he had created a space that is representative of himself & the local surfing community.   We started with his excitement about the store...

Vast Lives Podcast 13- Matt George     In this episode 13 of the Vast Lives podcast, Steve Shooter had the great honor of sharing with Matt George, a living legend in the surfing world and a tireless promoter of the deeper meanings that come from our beloved sport. The discussion ranges from the evolution of surfing culture, modern communication, and the importance of storytelling in keeping the s...

In this episode of our podcast, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Rizal Tanjung, a renowned figure in the surfing world and a successful entrepreneur. We began our conversation with a warm exchange, where I expressed my gratitude for his hospitality in his beautiful home overlooking Jimbaran Bay. Rizal took me on a nostalgic journey, reflecting on his early days in surfing, startin...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with a long-time resident of Bali, who has spent nearly 15 years on the island, primarily in Uluwatu. Our conversation delved into the significant changes Bali has undergone over the years, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, which has accelerated growth and transformation in the region. We discussed the balance between the allure of Bali'...

n this episode of our podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with renowned surfboard shaper Jim Banks at his beautiful home in Uluwatu, Bali. Our conversation delved deep into the world of surfboard shaping, the evolution of surfing culture, and Jim's personal journey as a surfer and craftsman. We kicked off the episode by discussing the often-overlooked role of surfboard builde...

In this episode we start off at the vibrant Earth Island Surf Festival 2024 at the stunning Pererenan Beach, one of Tipi Jabrik's favorite surfing spots in the world. The festival brings together Indonesian surfers from all over the country to celebrate their common passion for the sport, as well as the local community.   We then briefly shift our attention to Uluwatu for the Indonesian Leagu...

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Akung, a remarkable individual who has become a pillar of support for his community in Bali. We discussed his upbringing in Legian, where he faced challenges such as bullying and a lack of support from older peers. Akung shared how these experiences shaped him and fueled his desire to give back to the next generation. He reflected o...

In this episode of our podcast, we take you to the picturesque White Plains Beach on the southwest side of Oahu, where the annual military surf classic competition is in full swing. The atmosphere is electric as military personnel and local surfers gather to showcase their skills on the waves. We kick off the episode with some lively banter about the competition, highlighting the friendly rivalrie...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking to Benjamin Faraon Jr. who is a surfer with so much passion and a barber by profession.  He has chosen Hawaii to be his home for the last 20 years. Born on Long Island in New York, Ben shared his journey from having a sober upbringing in a loving family to finding his love for surfing, which started on the shores of Long Beach. We talked about his chi...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Jeremy Nitta, a remarkable individual with a diverse background and a passion for jiu-jitsu. Jeremy shared his journey from growing up in Hawaii to becoming a successful jiu-jitsu instructor and school owner. Jeremy's upbringing on the island of Oahu was filled with adventures, from skateboarding and surfing to motorcycle stunts and dra...