Surf Splendor

Surf Splendor episodes:

• 04.09.2024

  508 - Lauren L. Hill

  Professional surfer, author, ecofeminist, mother, Lauren Hill joins us to discuss how a commitment to curiosity has resulted in an unlikely surf career, an even less likely life as a farmer, and the cosmic premonition that inspired her to move...

  
• 04.05.2024

  507 - Shane Stoneman

  Pro surfer turned shaper, Shane Stoneman discusses the immeasurable influence environment plays in one’s work and well-being, the restorative virtues of painting, music as a conduit to connect with his children, and how to mitigate the physical trauma of shaping...

  
• 03.29.2024

  506 - Patrick Trefz: Ode To Travel

  Patrick Trefz joins us to discuss how primary cooking lessons from his mother and a missive of exploration from his father led to 30+ years of travel, a tenure at Surfer Magazine, analysis of his friends through documentary, and the...

  
• 03.21.2024

  505 - Adam Warden: AJW Surfboards | Part Two

  In our final installment, AJW reminds us why it’s often preferable to not have a plan, how fasting for 10 days led to him catching the wave of his life at Peahi, solo travel led him to a nude hot...

  
• 03.14.2024

  504 - Adam Warden: AJW Surfboards | Part One

  Adam Warden shares the early lesson from his father that gave him the tools to travel the world, how simply showing up nurtures opportunity, the benefit of being willing to take a punch, why irrepressibly moxie trumps talent, and the...

  
• 03.07.2024

  503 - Clint Runyon: Runyon Surfboards

  Retired Marine Combat Photographer Clint Runyon shares how he discovered surfing while stationed on Camp Pendleton (Trestles adjacent), how an economic crunch led him to shaping, building out a surfboard “factory” on deployment, and details the journey to discover the...

  
• 02.28.2024

  502 - Alex "Superwolf" Villalobos: Round Two

  In today’s episode Superwolf explains his journey from South Beach Miami’s disco scene, to Southern California’s surfboard factories, how Wavestorm legally plagiarized his resin colorwork, and reveals his alternate life as an underground LA DJ. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad...

  
• 02.22.2024

  501 - Hank Warner: Part Two

  Hank Warner returns to share the moment that inspired him to become a father, detail the dwindling profit margin of surfboards, recount the greatest surfing he’s ever witnessed, and explain why he’s opts to never retire. Enjoy! Learn more about your...

  
• 02.15.2024

  500 - Hank Warner: Part One

  San Diego native, apprentice to board building pioneers worldwide, Godfather to pro surfers, 57 years of shaping, 30,000 boards deep, Hank Warner shares tales from a life immersed in foam dust, brethren, and the sea. Part 1 of 2. Enjoy! Learn...

  
• 02.07.2024

  499 - Chris Ruddy

  Chris Ruddy recounts his teenaged voyage from Hawaii to San Diego, the gift of access and opportunity given to him by Joe Roper, regifting it to Marcio Zouvi, how corporate manufacturing has replaced pioneering board builders, and how moving inland...

  
• 02.05.2024

  498 - Matt Parker: XOCoco

  Matt Parker is partnered with Coco Ho on a new surfboard label, XOCoco, reimagining surfboard design for the female athlete. We're giving away an XOCoco Halcyon model on March 1st. Today Parker explains the project, the board, and why you...

  
• 01.31.2024

  497 - Dick Van Straalen

  Iconic Queensland shaper Dick Van Straalen shares his origin story and details how living with dyslexia has informed his surfing and surfboard building. He discusses helpful treatment strategies and explains how his acute mindset has empowered him to pioneer material...

  
• 01.25.2024

  496 - Alex Banyay

  Laminations San Diego sander Alex Banyay details the inner workings of the most revered surfboard factories, quantifies the human costs of outsourced manufacturing, explains why preserving history requires hiring surfer-labor, and reveals which shaper is responsible for the greatest innovations...

  
• 01.17.2024

  495 - Kian Egan: Westlife

  Westlife’s Kian Egan joins us to discuss his teenaged, rapid rise to pop music stardom, how discovering surfing allowed him reconnect with his core values, why taking time off stimulates growth, and how a once boy-band is still expanding their...

  
• 01.12.2024

  494 - Darieus Legg: Stoker Machine

  In today’s episode filmmaker Darieus Legg extolls the virtues and perils of being raised on a sailboat, explains how valuing external validation is a zero sum game, recounts why creative expression can buoy depression, and shares how his simply pursuit...

  
• 01.08.2024

  493 - Ryan Lynch: Timber Surf Co.

  We want to gift you a surfboard. Ryan Lynch is here to help. A thought leader in surfboard sustainability, the former Tesla engineer has focused his efforts on eliminating resin from surfboard production and designing high-performance, long lasting surfboards using...

  
• 01.04.2024

  492 - Eden Saul: Dead Kooks

  In today’s show Eden Saul joins us to explain why the mat is the most dynamic surf craft, how he planted Dead Kooks seeds globally for free while gleaning knowledge from the best builders, how increasing production decreased his business...

  
• 12.28.2023

  491 - Drew Kampion

  In an apple orchard, on an island thirty miles north of Seattle, eight years removed from his last surf is where I found Drew Kampion. Author of six books, countless surf articles, and perhaps the main person responsible for surfing’s...

  
• 12.21.2023

  490 - Kai Neville

  Era defining filmmaker Kai Neville joins us to discuss why the visual style he is known for is not his own, how Bruce Irons is to blame for the best clip he’s ever missed, and how independent film helps foster...

  
• 12.14.2023

  489 - Brenden Margieson

  Genre defining pro freesurfer of the 90s, Margo, joins us to discuss ushering pro surfing from cottage to corporate, humility gleaned while working as a baggage handler, how a passion for bird watching led to his greatest work, and what...

  
• 12.07.2023

  488 - Christian Beamish

  Surfer, writer, board builder, Christian Beamish joins to discuss surf adventuring through the hospices of the Navy, why the Simmons/Curren Keel might unlock new big wave paddle potential, lessons learned adrift on a self-built 27 foot sail boat, and why...

  
• 11.30.2023

  487 - Torren Martyn: Calypte

  After a year on the 35’ sailboat “Calypte”, Torren Martyn returns to discuss how his grandmother’s adventures 60 years ago led to this journey, the pitfalls and virtues of learning to sail while at sea, living with snakes onboard, and...

  
• 11.22.2023

  THANK YOU!

  Just a note, during Thanksgiving week here in the US, to express my deepest gratitude for giving me the opportunity to do this work. Happy Thanksgiving! Music: Bonnie Raitt, Thank You Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  
• 11.15.2023

  486 - Erik "Smelly" Sandin: NOFX & Pickle Stix

  After 40 years touring and drumming for one of the biggest punk bands on the planet, Smelly joins us to discuss his transition into surfboard shaping and how the intensity of youth can that ignite a life's journey, the camaraderie...

  
• 11.09.2023

  485 - Eddy Garcia: Regeneration in Lahaina

  Community activist Eddy Garcia joins us to discuss his efforts to re-house victims of Lahaina’s fires, how developers have already taken advantage of displaced families, the perils of disaster capitalism, the necessity to reduce reliance on tourism, and the inherent...

  
• 10.31.2023

  484 - Bill Stewart: Part Two

  Adroit craftsmen Bill Stewart returns to discuss the elusive paradox of Gordon Clark, the stately humility of Phil Edwards, the effortless earnestness of Jimmy Buffett, and how they each bolstered and buoyed him through his successes and losses over the...

  
• 10.25.2023

  483 - Bill Stewart: Part One

  Jovial raconteur Bill Stewart joins us to weave his tale from barefoot skiing in Kentucky, to fudge-making for Carnies in Michigan, to Shanghai'ing a teen to California in search of surf, to becoming one of surfing's preeminent board builders, along...

  
• 10.19.2023

  482 - Nat Young

  Era defining pioneer of the shortboard revolution, writer, World Champ, Nat Young joins us to discuss abandoning his animal aggression, reveals his favorite modern shapers, shares stories of Tom Blake & Miki Dora, and illuminates some of his greatest lessons...

  
• 10.12.2023

  481 - Matt Warshaw: Round 5

  Surfing's preeminent historian returns so that David can attempt to write Warshaw's EOS entry. Herein Warshaw recounts the first time being punched in the face, donning Edward Norton's wetsuit, analyzes which prejudice is unjustly credited to surf history, and explains...

  
• 10.05.2023

  480 - Bing Copeland

  Honoree of this weekend's Icons of Foam Tribute, Bing Copeland started Bing Surfboards in 1959. After sharing his first wave with Greg Noll and under the tutelage of Dale Velzy, Bing became one of the largest board builders of the...

  
• 09.27.2023

  479 - Roger Hinds

  2x Icons of Foam winner Roger Hinds joins us again to discuss how moving out at age 14 cultivated the work ethic to yield 50 years of board building, the virtues of taking advice from people with less experience, the...

  
• 09.21.2023

  478 - Brinkley Davies

  Marine Biologist, freediver, surfer, Brinkley Davies joins us to discuss harnessing the power of social media to activate people's compassion for animals, why the benefits inherent in freediving help guide her environmental charity work, how a fateful incident with a...

  
• 09.13.2023

  477 - Ellis Ericson

  Pro surfer, second generation board builder, Greenough acolyte and EPS advocate, Ellis Ericson joins us to discuss the inherent limitations of molded surfboard blanks, feeling foreign in his hometown of Byron, how distancing daily life from technology has propelled his...

  
• 09.07.2023

  476 - Lahaina Board Builder Joshua Weisfeld: JAW Surfboards

  Maui's Joshua Weisfeld shares the harrowing story of losing his home and factory while narrowly escaping the fires, gives insight into the rich board building community that existed in Lahaina, surveys the diaspora, and attempts to develop a blueprint for...

  
• 09.01.2023

  475 - Shane Jones: Jonesea Wetsuits

  Handmade, custom tailored, wetsuit designer Shane Jones joins us to discuss how youthful angst can be a catalyst to pursue your passion, why experiencing adversity should stimulate motivation, how it's never too late to radically redesign your life, and how...

  
• 08.23.2023

  474 - Tyler Allen

  Surfing's preeminent funny man joins us to chat about the importance of making risqué jokes in today's cancel culture, why surf culture is ripe for lampooning, the time the WSL told him he could have a job if he combed...

  
• 08.18.2023

  473 - Billy Hamilton: Part Two

  Billy is back to discuss the difficulties of raising Laird, discovering Nazare, the benefits of psychedelics, and how his relationship with John Milius ended with a punch and a transfer of one millions dollars. Enjoy! (Originally published May 27, 2020) Learn...

  
• 08.11.2023

  472 - Billy Hamilton: Part One

  Billy Hamilton joins us to discuss growing up in Laguna before the ocean was poisoned by detergents from civilization’s expansion, his early travels in Kauai in the 60’s, meeting Laird and his mother on the beach at Rocky Point, surfing...

  
• 08.04.2023

  471 - Brett Barley

  Outer Banks' finest Vlogger joins us to discuss how he entered the surf world's awareness with a 10 at Pipe, how growing up alongside YouTube primed him for the rigors of selfie stardom, the exact workload and ROI of producing...

  
• 07.26.2023

  470 - Paige Alms

  2x Big Wave World Champ Paige Alms joins us to discuss the gift of her mother’s wanderlust, how restaurant work financed her surf career, the Jaws incident that necessitated a jet ski purchase, and the virtues of returning to a...

  
• 07.20.2023

  469 - Bryce Young: Following The Fall Line

  Underexposed multidisciplinary talent Bryce Young joins us to chat about his new film, how Burch’s unique boards broke down perceptions of his own limitations, his father’s sage and surprisingly simple advice, the devastation of losing everything to a fire, and...

  
• 07.12.2023

  468 - Matt George: In Deep

  Polymath Matt George joins us to discuss 35 years of surf writing, why surfing fosters female power and male vulnerability, the dangers of the algorithm eroding surfing's great lessons, narrowly escaping Hollywood, and why emergency relief work has become his...

  
• 07.07.2023

  467 - John Simon

  22 year old surfboard shaper John Simon discusses the value of starting with a broom, developing his craft under the Trimcraft tutelage, how extreme designs deliver subtle effects, the perils of growing too quickly, and how riding other shapers boards...

  
• 06.29.2023

  466 - Harrison Roach

  The current World Longboard Champ joins us to discuss the ecstasy and obligation that comes with achieving your life's goals, the virtue and burden of being "underrated", the value of defying definition as a professional surfer in 2023, and the...

  
• 06.21.2023

  465 - Shaun Crowley: Shaun In Paradise

  New Jersey's former grom phenom Shaun Crowley joins us to discuss returning to surfing after a decade hiatus, how to sell it all and relocate your life to Mexico, why you should delete Instagram (but start a YouTube channel), and...

  
• 06.15.2023

  464 - Jeff Johnson: Part Two

  In Part Two, Jeff Johnson explains how he side-doored his way into becoming Patagonia’s first staff photographer, the toll of being sued by one of his surf idols, and he distills the value of being naive to your own limitations....

  
• 06.08.2023

  463 - Jeff Johnson: Part One

  Adventurer Jeff Johnson joins us today to explain his path from ne'er-do-well skate teen to world class photographer; from stealing lumber to build skate ramps, to lifeguarding on the North Shore, to traveling the world professionally, Jeff explains how boredom...

  
• 06.01.2023

  462 - David Carson

  Apple called him "a pioneer with profound impact". Newsweek said he "changed the public face of graphic design". In 1991 David Carson redesigned Surfer Magazine and established a now iconic graphic design style seated in raw human emotion which led...

  
• 05.25.2023

  461 - Ryan Hitzel: Roark

  Roark founder Ryan Hitzel joins us to discuss how his high-school notebook doodles led to a design job at Volcom, line-up hierarchy etiquette fortified him for the pitfalls of entrepreneurship, and how a forced expedition by his parents mapped the...

  
• 05.19.2023

  460 - Andrew Kidman: Big Sky Limited

  Andrew Kidman joins us to discuss how his enthusiasm for wave pools inspired his latest film, why he prefers terrible surf, Filipe’s distinct advantage related to his board construction, and the burden and gift of having had a UFO encounter...