Late Drop: The Big Wave Podcast

When it comes to big-wave surfing, often, that urge isn’t something learned. It’s a hunger that reveals itself early. Take Russell Bierke, for example. Some years back, Kelly Slater was sampling some secret Aussie slab, struggling to figure out its steps and moods. A then-13-year-old Russell Bierke showed up to the session—and instantly had the wave dialed, “putting decades-worth of my experience to shame” as Slater described. Now, a fierce competitor on the Big Wave World Tour—owning it at Shipstern’s Bluff anytime the right [frightening] swell slips into that corner of Tazzy—Jamie Mitchell sat down with Mr. Bierke to talk about waves of consequence.

0:00: Intro, COVID situation in Australia, Russell’s Dad’s story into big waves, Russell’s backstory/connections to Hawaii

9:55: Russell growing up around his dad shaping, Getting into bigger waves as a kid bc of Dad, Local inspirations in big surf, Russell’s Underground crew, Big wave surfing culture on South Coast

17:05: Hawaii trips and Victoria, Aus trips in big surf, Why there’s not a lot of well-known Aussies in big waves

24:45: Russell’s wipeout in Jaws Comp, Russell’s favorite waves in Australia, Shippies, Paddling The Right, Dangers of The Right

31:19: Success in big wave events, His best wave at Shippies, Pro surfing as a goal, Getting on Big Wave World Tour, O’Neill sponsorship

40:40: The session with Kelly Slater, Gnarly wipeout/freak accident at secret big wave, Recovering from that session, Russell’s training routine

55:15: Dad as his shaper, Positioning at Jaws, What he rides at Jaws, Nazare session/wipeout

1:09:21: What he’d like to see accomplished in pro big wave surfing, Thoughts on big wave webcasts, Russell’s 5-to-Finish Questions

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamiemitcho.substack.com

Some people say that we are destined to become our parents. Now, whether that’s true—or, not—the North Shore’s Emi Erickson surely is her own, fiercely unique woman…even if she’s inadvertently following the footsteps of her legendary big-wave surfing dad, Roger Erickson. An Eddie invitee (like, pops) and regular standout in Outer Reef lineups across the North Shore, Jamie Mitchell, continue Surfline’s Big Wave Podcast with Emi as his second guest. Buckle up and tune in…Ms. Erickson doesn’t pander nor suffer fools.

9:38: Emi’s upbringing/childhood, Getting into big wave surfing, Starting at Sunset, Dynamic with legendary surfer father Roger Erickson
18:20: Relationship with Waimea Bay, Eddie Aikau Invite, Fate and De Ja Vu, Emi’s surf crew
27:56: Emi’s single-fin mentality, Emi’s style
32:09: Women’s challenges in the big wave world, her views on gender, progression, performances at Jaws Challenge, Up and coming girls, Emi’s dreams on big wave surfing
41:55: Characters in the big wave world, Thoughts on big wave competitions
51:55: Relationship with Jaws, Previous injury at Jaws, Emi’s training routine, Return to Jaws
1:00:23: Emi’s inspirations, Emi’s 5-to-Finish Questions

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamiemitcho.substack.com

Often, they say big wave surfing is a grown man’s game. But there have always been some rarified groms (and gals) that have been like, “Nah” to that sentiment. Big Wave World Tour surfer and zillion-time paddleboard champ, Jamie Mitchell, pops off Surfline’s new "Late Drop Podcast" with his first guest, Makua Rothman, a former Big Wave World Tour champion who shocked the surf world in 2002 when he caught a 66-foot-wave at Jaws…at 18 years of age. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to grow up Da Hui, how to kick asthma, and what Makua thinks the Big Wave tour is in dire need of—buckle up and press play.

0:00: Intro, Beginning of Makua’s story of 66-foot-wave, Makua’s upbringing on the North Shore
6:23: Growing up in Da Hui, Da Hui’s influence on North Shore, Jamie and Makua growing up with asthma, Getting into big waves as a child
18:31: Getting into tow-in surfing, beginnings of big-wave safety/jet skis with Darrick Doerner.
25:26: Story of Makua’s 66-foot-wave at Jaws, Getting on to the Big Wave World Tour in 2014, Winning first event on Big Wave Tour, then winning in Chile, winning first big wave world title.
36:55: Winning 2007 Sunset World Cup of Surfing, Young kids currently pushing limits, Makua’s big wave training program, the big wave community pushing each other, safety equipment/inflation vests
50:58: Makua’s current approach to big wave surfing, Makua’s tow-in wave/near death experience at Cloudbreak.
1:00:58: Thoughts to improve current BWWT, incorporating engines into big wave surfing, big wave judging, The Eddie Aikau comp.
1:08:01: Makua’s opinion on best big wave in the world, heaviest big wave in world, wanting to surf Mav’s,most underrated big wave, next big wave discovery.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jamiemitcho.substack.com