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 Skate & Surf Film Festival (SSFF) in Milan, now in its ninth edition and recognized as Italy's premier celebration of surf and skate cinema. Enjoy our chat with Luca.

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 program alongside director Sonny Miller, contributing to iconic films like Searching for Tom Curren. Today, Derek is the founder of naluTV and Nalu Film Foundation, and has made it his mission to preserve and digitize surf cinema's most treasured archives — ensuring the history of the sport is never lost to time.

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, and fine-tuned his skills into the ultimate guide service for high-end spearfishing charters. Keeping dry now means equipping multi-million dollar yachts with special tools, helipads, runabouts... Finding buyers and sellers all over the globe. Based out of south Florida, Cameron still gets in the water plenty while raising little water people. Enjoy these stories from the deep with John Brooks and Kevin Miller.

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 generation while competing globally and elevating Peru's presence in the sport. Enjoy this chat with John Brooks and Kevin Miller.

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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 protecting the ocean and the communities that depend on it. He co-founded the nonprofit Granito de Arena, which used surfing to educate youth about ocean conservation and plastic pollution. Today, Flores continues to blend surf culture, environmental activism, and ocean safety training, using his platform to inspire stewardship of coastlines and communities worldwide. Enjoy!

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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 pushed sustainable materials and supply-chain transparency to the forefront of modern menswear and womenswear. Moore's commitment to people and planet drives the company's mission to make clothes that look great, last longer, and tread lightly on the earth. As the former college roommate of our host, "Juan Mas" has some insight for us on our very own Johnny Brooks. Enjoy.

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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 highlights marine protection, community resilience, and the connection between people and the ocean. Julian joined us for the East Coast Premiere of Antarctica - Domain One, narrated by Kelly Slater. Enjoy

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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 becoming one of the largest surfboard builders and retailers on the East Coast. With these stories, we capture the true essence of what it is to be a surfer, family man, entrepreneur, and positively, phenomenal human being. Enjoy this chat with Hall of Famer for surf and board building, Charley "CB" Baldwin.

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