Surf Town the Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

A Canadian surfer? Can someone from such a northern country, known mostly for snow and cold, be a hard core surfer? Yet there are surfers aplenty these days from many countries right across the world not particularly known as having deep surfing roots, and Canada is one of them. Along both its coasts there are numerous surfing communities producing great surfers just as surf-stoked as anywhere else in the world. With plenty of great waves up there in the snowy north Canadian surfers have their own surf culture and unique stoke. And Jeff Mile is one of them who joins Keith for a chat. 

Send us Fan Mail

The Australian SURFRIDER FOUNDATION CEO Steph Curley comes into the studio to chat about her surfing life and the work of the Surfrider Foundation. Self-described as a surfer, mother and CEO, Steph’s story is one of pure surf stoke. During the interview it was evident that she feels equally passionate about surfing as she does about our coastal environment. Passion is often an overworked description these days, but Steph’s smile and insightful words rang loud and clear throughout the podcast, leaving the impression that the Australian Surfrider Foundation is in good hands. Today, as of 2026 with the many unsettling twists and turns of global corporations and the powers that be, the work of the foundation is as urgent for all surfers, wherever we are, as much as it has ever been.

Surfrider Foundation Australia

Protecting waves & beaches is our business (since 1991)

ABN | 86 061 168 527 

W | www.surfrider.org.au

Send us Fan Mail

TONI SAWYER ...

   Toni Sawyer is one of Australia’s early pioneering female pro surfers. Stepping up into the professional ranks was an easy progression for Toni due to her natural surfing talent and burning passion for the sport. “All l ever wanted to do was surf,” Toni said. Simple as that. Along with her burning desire to surf - and natural talent, which propelled her upwards into the pro ranks - Toni’s surfing was honed amongst the hard-charging locals at her home beach on Sydney's northern beaches. Although they were mainly guys, they accepted Toni for her surfing and who she was. It wasn’t until she reached the pro tour that she experienced many of the put-downs so many early female surfers were subjected to. Yet despite this, Toni spent eight years on the pro 

Send us Fan Mail

THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV #11 ...

   The debate continues - does Vladimir Boris Waxanov really exist? Lee, Keith's SURF TOWN podcast co-host, doesn't think so, and never has, despite what Keith insists. Having just returned from Kazakhstan, where he met with V. B. Waxanov, Keith plays Lee an interview he recorded with Vladimir in a local cafe - hence the noisy background. Lee, though, still isn't convinced - yet it's a fascinating conversation bringing Vladimir Boris Waxanov's fans up to date with the many twists and turns of his wayward adventures. The latest one is quite unexpected, prompting Vladimir to ask Keith if he would read the short story 'The Surfing Priest' from their book The Wayward Surfer (available on Amazon). Here it is, tale number eleven.

Send us Fan Mail

TOM WEGENER  Part 1 ...

   Dr Tom Wegener, scholar, author, filmmaker, local politician, surfboard shaper, surfer, family man ... and gardener, chats on SURF TOWN sharing his life’s story in what is Keith’s longest podcast interview. How could it not be with Tom’s life encompassing such a wide field of interest and activities? Tom’s surfing life has led him from California to Australia, where he has put down deep family roots and established himself as a unique surfboard shaper specialising in innovative custom timber surfboards. He is a thinking surfer. One who observes and acts upon it, thus Tom's surfing life, and his life in general, has many facets that make for a very engaging episode.

Send us Fan Mail

TOM WEGENER Part 2 ...

   Tom shared a lot of his personal life on his first SURF TOWN podcast about growing up in California, and where his family's influence and personal interests have led him in life. He talked of how his surfing seamlessly slotted into all that he put his hand and mind towards and helped shape his endeavours.

 On this episode, Tom shares his thoughts on surfboard design beyond the standard modern board (with a link to Bob Simmons), the question of what is a surfer, surfing’s growth, its deep connection with conservation and surf culture. Insightful and laced with some terrific stories, this is a podcast episode that could have easily run on for another hour or more. Maybe sometime down the line there will be part 3. With Tom always looking around and ahead the likelihood is pretty high. 

Send us Fan Mail

THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV #10 ...

   Finally, that international surfing man of intrigue has surfaced once again - but only briefly, which seems to be his MO these days. Momentarily detained by the English regime to once more find good fortune favoured him as he slipped away from their wrongful intent. Last known destination was back in Eurasia. Kazakhstan in fact, He and Keith have been communicating via Zoom with a plan for Keith to catch up with him in Almaty when Keith visits. (Planned for June 2026). In the meantime, here is another of Keith's stories from their book 'THE WAYWARD SURFER,' which can be purchased here on Amazon:   https://www.amazon.com.au/Wayward-Surfer-Keith-Mcmullen/dp/1984179012/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RNQQXPYC27VS&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.v16wEqxXRbNJPOpjOqF1kev7YofgFFb_6i4UVkIBwhMcFaJ0xImFL_hxYKS38sQG3LSzE3dUE33Gd5qKgIrAnrBmmxHbSJ8ORAeIBX3vQD0.VK1C8_xtWcUMTXsqQDaQI6r4BmEx22ejUXPe4zfiBas&dib_tag=se&keywords=The+Wayward+Surfer&qid=1777462961&sprefix=the+wayward+surfer%2Caps%2C302&sr=8-1

Send us Fan Mail

PETER McCABE …

   Newcastle's Peter McCabe was one of the early pioneers of Indonesian surfing. During those uncrowded Indo days, he surfed alongside some of surfing's  biggest names and colourful characters. Peter is credited with being the first to surf Padang, and alongside his good friend Jerry Lopez shared many epic, empty lined-ups at Uluwatu and G-Land. Many of these sessions were captured on film. Peter also established his name as one of Newcastle's premier board shapers, learning his trade under Sam Egan. In the 1970's, he established his own Tradewinds label where he is still shaping today. Peter also has an impressive contest record having placed second to Mark Richards in the Aussie Junior titles in 1974 - and followed up the next year with fifth place in the men's division. He has appeared in many surf movies such as Tubular Swells, Storm Riders and All Down the Line.  

Send us Fan Mail

CORKY CARROLL

... CORKY CARROLL is a name many older surfers will easily recognize. Accepted as one of the first professional surfers rising out of the Californian surf scene in the late 1960's and 70's on the back of his natural talent and contest successes. Winning three USA titles, third in the 1966 World Championships, competing in the 1968, 1970 and the 1972 World Championships, where he made it through to the finals. Being a talented goofy-footy and full of charisma, Corky featured prominently in the major surf magazines and movies of his era. And what movies they were: Endless Summer, Pacific Vibrations, and Five Summer Stories. Corky has lived a big life - a big surfing life (with a few deviations) that has supported him right through the decades. These days, he lives in Mexico, his heart still attuned to surfing, his eye never far from the ocean, and fulfillment found in painting. It was not just a pleasure, but fun for Keith to interview him on this episode of SURF TOWN. 

Send us Fan Mail

DAVID PARKES ...

   Kneeboard maestro (six Australian Titles and one World Masters Title) and renowned kneeboard shaper (forty plus years experience) David Parkes is Keith's special guest on this episode of SURF TOWN. With a life immersed in kneeboarding, David's name is synonymous with Australian kneeboarding surfing - and shaping. After requiring the Friar Tuck brand in the 80's David diversified his shaping profile under his own name of Parkes. Both labels are popular, with demand still high. With a lifetime of experience in the water and shaping bay, David is well placed to speak with considerable depth about kneeboarding in Australia today - and internationally. Suffice to say that kneeboard surfing is alive and well. Its media profile may not be high, yet kneeboarders (affectionately called kneeos in Australia) are passionate surfers who are more than happy to slip under the radar. For some, it's surfing's best-kept secret.