The Lineup with Dave Prodan - A Surfing Podcast

Paul Evans and Chris Coté break down the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero, Griffin Colapinto’s historic third win at Supertubos, and the world title race heading into the Philippines Pro. After an unforgettable finals day in Portugal, Paul shares what it was like on the beach as the event delivered heavy, 8ft+ barrels, an electric crowd, and some of the season’s most incredible surfing. The guys look at Griffin’s remarkable run, Gabriel Medina’s near-miss, Molly Picklum’s statement victory and return to the yellow jersey, and Caity Simmers’ standout performance after returning from injury. They debate the biggest winners and losers of the event, including what Portugal means for Leo Fioravanti’s title hopes and whether the momentum is shifting as the season approaches its final stretch. Plus, they dig into the Surfboard Empire CT Shaper Rankings presented by VEIA, why …Lost Surfboards has built such a commanding lead, and the equipment details that can make the difference at a heavy barrel event. Looking ahead to the Philippines Pro, Paul and Chris discuss the unknowns of Cloud 9, the surfers best positioned to thrive, and their picks for the 2026 world titles. They also tackle listener questions, including whether Ethan Ewing needs to add bigger airs to his game to win a world title, and share their world title picks for 2026.

Follow Chris Cote here and Paul Evans here.

Check out Chris’ own podcast, Monday M.A.S.S with Chris Cote and Todd Richards here, and follow them here.

Relive the MEO Rip Curl Pro Presented by Corona Cero here.

Stay tuned to the Philippines Pro Presented by the Philippine Sport Commission, Oct 31 - Nov 10.

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The first postseason stop crowned Molly Picklum and Griffin Colapinto the 2026 MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero champs, and the World Title race keeps heating up.

A highly anticipated women’s Final provided the goods between two of modern surfing’s leading World Title contenders. 2024 World Champion Caity Simmers and reigning World Champ Molly Picklum took on the pumping Portuguese Pipeline in defining form. Simmers’ lead was cut short by Picklum after locking into a gem, only to reemerge with the roar of the crowd for a 7.83. It was all Picklum, who now takes over the Yellow Leaders Jersey leaving the Old World and heads for more barrels.

Then, a 3x World Champion, Gabriel Medina, and 2025 World Title runner-up, Griffin Colapinto, met in a defining Final showing. Medina wasted no time posting a near-excellent 7.67, but Colapinto wasn’t going down quietly and fired back with excellence, earning an 8.17. El Monstro, Medina, wasn’t done and disappeared with the crowd thinking he was gone and somehow reemerged for an 8.20 and took control. The Final still wasn’t done, delivering an 8.57 for Medina to push Colapinto against the ropes, and the two-time Portugal victor responded with an absolute bomb to post a 9.43 and hang firm to keep his perfect Portuguese Final streak alive to go 3-0.

A clash of Brazilian World Champions set the tone for Finals Day between Medina and Italo Ferriera. Ferreira was on the hunt for a third Portugal podium, but Medina’s 8.17 shut down the hyperactive World Champ ahead of the Final. Then, Colapinto answered back in a World Title Match rematch against reigning World Champ and defending Portugal victor, Yago Dora, to set up his eventual runner-up finish.

Now, the world’s best head for a new barreling venue of Cloud 9 with the same World Title pressure at the Philippines Pro Presented by Philippine Sports Commission beginning October 31 through November 10. Watch LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com.

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2026 Championship Tour rookie Nadia Erostarbe and high-performance coach Natalie Hummel join The Lineup to discuss confidence, pressure, and the mental side of elite surfing. After years of working toward the Championship Tour, Nadia Erostarbe is making her mark in her first full season, with semifinal finishes on the Gold Coast and in Brazil. Joining Dave Prodan alongside her performance coach Natalie Hummel, the Spanish surfer opens up about the highs and lows of her rookie year, the pressure of fighting to stay above the cut in 2025, and the mindset shift that helped her go from wondering if she belonged on tour to believing she could win CT events. Natalie explains how she works with elite athletes to navigate self-doubt, comparison, fear, and the unpredictable nature of competition. They dig into nervous system training, learning to feel safer under pressure, and why trying to control the uncontrollable can take energy away from the things athletes can actually influence. Nadia also reflects on representing Spain on the world stage, the advantages of finding her own path to the CT, and why she believes her journey has unfolded at the right time. She shares how changing her expectations helped her break out of a cycle of low scores and start seeing new possibilities in the water. Nadia talks about her relationship with DHD Surfboards, the boards behind her breakthrough performances, and her hopes for the final stretch of the season. Natalie offers advice for athletes looking to break recurring patterns, face their fears, and trust their own process.

Learn more about Nadia here and follow her here.

Unlock your highest performance with Natalie Hummel and Limitless Academy here and follow her on Instagram here.

About Limitless Academy

Her yearlong coaching program helps riders work through fear, navigate pressure, and build the skills to pursue their goals with more consistency. The program combines coaching with Natalie, guided practices, integration sessions, breathwork, and a supportive community.

Relive the EDP Ericeira Pro Presented by Xacobeo.

And catch Nadia in the 10th stop on the Championship Tour event, the MEO Rip Curl Pro Presented by Corona Cero, Oct 16 - 25 here.

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World title-contender and CT standout, San Clemente’s very own Griffin Colapinto joins us on The Lineup podcast. With three events remaining in the 2026 Championship Tour season, Griffin opens up about his World Title pursuit, the evolution of his competitive mindset, and why he believes you can “win the World Title in the preparation.” He breaks down the pressure of competing at home at Lower Trestles, his best-ever heat at Teahupoʻo, and the lessons he’s learned from putting himself in position to win. Griffin also looks ahead to the final stretch of the season, including Portugal, Cloud9 and the 1.5x-points Pipe Masters, and explains why he believes entering Pipe as the No. 1 seed could be critical to his World Title hopes. He opens up about the level of competition on the CT, learning to embrace mistakes, staying focused on his own surfing, and finding the balance between preparation and simply enjoying the process. Elsewhere, Griffin talks about his brother Crosby’s return to the Challenger Series, the work ethic required to reach the next level, his approach to training, and why more free surfing, filming and surf trips could actually make him a better competitive surfer. Griffin breaks down his new Lost Surfboards signature model, the boards he’s relied on throughout his career, his favorite wave on tour, and more in the lightning round.

Thank you to our sponsor, Pacifico Beer, for making this episode possible.

Learn more about Griffin here and follow him here.

Discover more about our episode sponsor, Pacifico, here.

Rewatch the Lexus Trestles Pro here.

Relive the Banco do Brasil São Sebastião Pro here.

Stay tuned to next Challenger Series event, EDP Ericeira Pro Presented by Xacobeo, Oct 6 - 12 and the next Championship Tour event, the MEO Rip Curl Pro Presented by Corona Cero, Oct 16 - 25 here.

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The 2026 Championship Tour regular season is officially in the books, and Dave Prodan is joined by WSL commentator and surfing analyst Jesse Starling to break down everything that went down at the Lexus Trestles Pro. Erin Brooks and Miguel Pupo took the wins at Lower Trestles, but the biggest story may be just how much the event reshaped the Championship Tour. From Mateus Herdy’s breakthrough run and Luke Thompson taking down the world No. 1 Leonardo Fioravanti, to the Brazilian storm getting knocked back and Oscar Berry finally finding a breakthrough win, Dave and Jesse dig into the biggest winners, losers and surprises from Trestles. They also unpack Erin Brooks’ incredible three-event winning streak and what it means for the women’s World Title race, Miguel Pupo’s emergence as a legitimate threat on the men’s side, and the high stakes surrounding the surfers who fell below the postseason cut. Dave and Jesse dive into the 2026 Surfboard Empire CT Shaper Rankings presented by VEA, the all-JS men’s final and all-Lost women’s final, the experimental equipment making an appearance at Trestles, and why Lower Trestles continues to be such a fascinating testing ground for new designs. Finally, with the Lexus Pipe Masters worth 1.5x points and qualification on the line, Dave and Jesse look ahead to the surfers who could make a run at requalification and the storylines to continue to watch as the season heads toward the North Shore.

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Discover more about our episode sponsor, Pacifico, here.

Relive the Lexus Trestles Pro here.

Stay tuned to the requalification stories with the next Challenger Series event of the season, the Banco do Brasil São Sebastião Pro, Sep 26 - Oct 3rd.

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The last trek across the tracks was well worth the walk to crown Erin Brooks and Miguel Pupo the 2026 Lexus Trestles Pro champs in picturesque conditions at Lower Trestles. 

History was rewritten by Brooks, joining the likes of Stephanie Gilmore with three consecutive CT wins in a single season and launching herself to No. 5 as a proper World Title threat. Then, Pupo’s passion took him all the way atop the podium with relentless excellence from start to finish, culminating in his third CT win. 

The new No. 1 Gabriela Bryan’s power went unmatched in the Quarterfinals, posting a 16.26 heat total over Luana Silva, and regained the Yellow Leaders Jersey ahead of then No. 1 Carissa Moore falling to an unstoppable Brooks. The 19-year-old phenom added a third World Champion to her road to victory at Trestles with Molly Picklum in the Semifinals before catapulting to No. 5 on the ranks.

2025 event finalists, reigning World Champion Yago Dora and Southern California’s own Kanoa Igarashi, commanded their Quarterfinal battles with Igarashi finding excellence over Marco Mignot before matching up with Dora in a grudge match. Igarashi kept surging alongside fellow CT veteran Miguel Pupo, who went next level over Mateus Herdy and Cole Houshmand on the road to his Final matchup against Igarashi where fireworks flew and ultimately crowned Pupo the champ.

Houshmand’s unrivaled power provided a masterclass in the Quarterfinals to post an event-best 18.50 heat total in his all-Southern California clash with Jake Marshall, as Marshall’s efforts were enough to push him to the postseason.

Now, the postseason separates the pack and all focus shifts toward a World Title surge at the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero, beginning October 16 through 25 at the famed Supertubos of Peniche.

Relive the Lexus Trestle Pro!

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Finn McGill joins Dave Prodan on The Lineup for an honest conversation about growing up on Hawaii’s North Shore, chasing the Championship Tour, recovering from a major shoulder injury, and finding balance away from surfing. A former World Junior Champion, QS winner, and longtime North Shore standout, McGill has spent years proving his surfing belongs alongside the world’s best. He opens up about his early rivalry with childhood friend Barron Mamiya, competing against CT surfers like Joel Parkinson from a young age, and translating his powerful, high-speed North Shore surfing to the conditions of the Challenger Series. McGill also breaks down the shoulder injury that abruptly ended his 2026 Challenger Series season, the long road through surgery and rehabilitation, and how injuries have changed his perspective on his career and what it means to be a professional surfer. Finn talks about his relationship with Seager, his deep involvement in surfboard design, growing up skating and surfing, his love of dirt biking, and why stepping away from surfing can actually make him a better surfer.

Learn more about Finn McGill here and follow him here.

Get 15% off your order at Seager using the code LINEUP15 at check out. 

Stay tuned to the Lexus Trestle Pro, Sep 11 - 20.

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WSL commentator Mitchell Salazar joins Dave Prodan to break down the recently completed Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero and preview the Lexus Trestles Pro. Mitch and Dave dive into Cole Houshmand and Erin Brooks’ season-changing victories at Cloudbreak, Brooks’ historic perfect 10, Gabriel Medina’s growing momentum in the World Title race, and the surfers trending up and down following the Championship Tour’s Pacific Leg. The conversation moves beyond the results as the duo examines the latest Surfboard Empire CT Shaper Rankings, …Lost Surfboards’ continued dominance, and the equipment experimentation that could unfold at Lower Trestles. They wrap up the episode by looking ahead to the Lexus Trestles Pro, breaking down the pressure surrounding the men’s and women’s cut lines, and predicting which surfers could keep their Championship Tour seasons alive at Southern California’s famed high-performance playground.

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Cloudbreak saved some of its best for last and delivered an iconic Finals Day at the Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero, crowning Cole Houshmand and Erin Brooks the champs.

After another iconic run at Cloudbreak, Brooks' diamond double earned the Pacific Leg sweep and a second Fiji Pro title. An unfortunate injury in her Semifinal sidelined Isabella Nichols for what would've been fireworks in a Final of friends with Brooks. Now, Brooks sits at No. 8 on the rankings heading to Lower Trestles with a chance to truly put her name in the World Title race.

An unprecedented run from Houshmand earned him a third CT win in three Final appearances, cementing himself across the world with victories at Bells Beach, Brazil, and now Fiji. Houshmand sent himself over the ledge throughout Finals Day, culminating in a masterful performance over one of the best to ever take on Cloudbreak, two-time Fiji Pro winner Gabriel Medina in a Final battle. Houshmand's excellence continued from posting a 9.43 in the Semifinals, to an excellent 8.50 over Medina. An insane exchange witnessed Houshmand's ridiculous power get matched by Medina's magic in the Cloudbreak barrel to post a Perfect 10.

Cloudbreak provided every face it could to test the world's best and was one for the history books.

Now, with a surge from those looking for major points continuing to rise, the hunt for a World Title is heating up every event, and now, it heads for Southern California's high-performance haven of Lower Trestles. Watch the Lexus Trestles Pro LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com beginning September 11 through 20.

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Professional surfer and entrepreneur Koa Smith joins The Lineup with Dave Prodan as guest co-host to break down the recently completed Outerknown Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA. Koa and Dave Prodan dive deep into one of the most challenging events of the 2026 Championship Tour, discussing the wild conditions at Teahupo'o, the rise of the next generation of fearless tube riders, the incredible performances from Seth Moniz, Griffin Colapinto, Kelly Slater, Kelia Gallina and more, and what it takes to truly master one of surfing's most demanding waves. The conversation goes beyond the results, with Koa offering a deep dive into surfboard design and equipment, from his two "magic" boards from JS and working with Sharp Eye to the growing role of alternative shapes, quads and twin fins on the world stage. Koa also shares his perspective on the evolution of women's tube riding, why more surfers are embracing helmets in heavy waves, and the development of his own Knock Surf helmet. Koa opens up about building a career beyond professional competition, applying the lessons he learned from surfing to entrepreneurship, and why today's surfers increasingly have to wear multiple hats to build a sustainable career in the surf world.

Learn more about Koa Smith here and follow Koa here.

Check out the latest gear from Roark here.

Stay plugged in to the latest developments with Koa’s innovative surf helmet, Knock Surf.

Relive the Outerknown Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA, Aug 8-18.

Stay tuned to the Fiji Pro Presented by Corona Cero, Aug 25 - Sep 4.

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Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

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