The QuiverCast - A Surfing Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

On this episode of The Quivercast, we sit down with surfer and author Alastair Thompson to discuss the lessons a lifetime in the ocean has taught him. After decades of surfing, Alastair realized that the waves offered much more than great rides—they provided insights into life, resilience, balance, and personal growth. Although the idea of writing a book was intimidating, he felt compelled to share those lessons with others.

That journey led to his book, A Surfer's Guide to Enlightenment, a thoughtful look at how surfing can inspire a more meaningful life both in and out of the water. In this conversation, Alastair shares what motivated him to put pen to paper, the challenges of becoming an author, and why he believes every surfer can take something valuable away from his story. If you're looking for inspiration, this is an episode you won't want to miss—and be sure to pick up a copy of A Surfer's Guide to Enlightenment online CLICK HERE TO ORDER.

Support the show

BUY THE ENDLESS SUMMER BOX SET HERE!

If you like the QuiverCast here are some ways to help us keep going!

I always like Coffee!

Buy me a Coffee!

Find Us:

Website: thequivercast.com

Instagram: @quiver_cast

Facebook: The QuiverCast

Sound Editing by: The Steele Collective

Send us Fan Mail

Today on The Quivercast, we sit down with Captain MJ Hessert, a military officer, physician, adventurer, and passionate surfer. MJ first discovered surfing while stationed in Virginia Beach and quickly fell in love with the sport. Since then, she has become an active competitor and military women's surfing champion. Beyond the waves, MJ has built an impressive career practicing emergency and aerospace medicine while contributing numerous health-related articles and publications.

MJ's passion for exploration extends far beyond surfing. She has traveled to every continent except Australia, including an unforgettable journey to Antarctica. Whether she's serving her country, caring for patients, chasing waves, or seeking out new adventures around the globe, MJ approaches life with energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm. This conversation is a fun look at a remarkable woman who continues to push boundaries, embrace challenges, and make the most of every opportunity.

Support the show

BUY THE ENDLESS SUMMER BOX SET HERE!

If you like the QuiverCast here are some ways to help us keep going!

I always like Coffee!

Buy me a Coffee!

Find Us:

Website: thequivercast.com

Instagram: @quiver_cast

Facebook: The QuiverCast

Sound Editing by: The Steele Collective

Send us Fan Mail

Today on The Quivercast, we sit down with former professional surfer Mitch Parkinson @mitchparkinson. Growing up on Australia's Gold Coast, Mitch had the unique opportunity to surf one of the world's most iconic waves, Snapper Rocks, alongside some of the best surfers of his generation. From an early age, he was fiercely competitive, surfing heats for the Snapper Boardriders Club and dreaming of becoming a professional surfer. His passion for surfing was undeniable, and through dedication and hard work, he turned that dream into reality.

Throughout his career, Mitch traveled the globe chasing waves and competing at the highest levels of the sport, creating memories and experiences that he still appreciates today. We talk about life after professional surfing, his current work in the mines of central Queensland, and how he continues to balance work with his love for the ocean. Even now, Mitch remains one of the standout surfers at Snapper Rocks, proving that true talent never fades. This is a great conversation about competitive surfing, life lessons, and a lifelong connection to the sport.

Support the show

BUY THE ENDLESS SUMMER BOX SET HERE!

If you like the QuiverCast here are some ways to help us keep going!

I always like Coffee!

Buy me a Coffee!

Find Us:

Website: thequivercast.com

Instagram: @quiver_cast

Facebook: The QuiverCast

Sound Editing by: The Steele Collective

Send us Fan Mail

Today we welcome East Coast surfing champion, author, and Virginia Beach legend Jason Borte @jborte to the Quivercast Podcast. Jason takes us back to the early ’80s when he first started surfing alongside his brother and quickly realized surfing would be a lifelong obsession. At a time when competitive surfing was one of the only ways to make a living in the sport, Jason fully committed himself to contests and the pro surfing path while going to college. From the East Coast surf scene to chasing opportunities around the country, Jason shares stories from an era when surfing culture was rapidly evolving.

After college, Jason found himself writing and working for the surf industry, contributing to nearly every major surf publication along the way. He talks about the experience of writing Pipe Dreams with Kelly Slater, his journey as an author, and his newest release, How Surfing Ruined My Life. From surf journalism to now working at the Atlantic Park in Virginia Beach, you can most likely find him at the wave pool, and occasionally on an 11 foot glider surfing 1st Street. 

jasonborte.com

Support the show

BUY THE ENDLESS SUMMER BOX SET HERE!

If you like the QuiverCast here are some ways to help us keep going!

I always like Coffee!

Buy me a Coffee!

Find Us:

Website: thequivercast.com

Instagram: @quiver_cast

Facebook: The QuiverCast

Sound Editing by: The Steele Collective

Send us Fan Mail

Today we welcome Russell Winter @russellwintersurf to The Quivercast Podcast. The greatest surfer Britain’s ever produced, Russell takes us through his incredible journey from growing up in London to moving to the coast and falling in love with surfing after watching the classic film Big Wednesday. From that point on, he was all in. Through hard work and determination, Russell dominated contests throughout Britain and Europe as a teenager, setting his sights on qualifying for the CT — and eventually making that dream a reality.

Russell opens up about life after the tour, dealing with injuries, and how stepping away from professional surfing led him down some difficult paths and unhealthy choices. But in true Russell Winter fashion, the story doesn’t end there. Now in his early 50s, he’s back competing in QS events and still taking down surfers decades younger than him. This episode is packed with stories of perseverance, redemption, and the love of surfing that continues to drive one of the sport’s most legendary underdogs.

Support the show

BUY THE ENDLESS SUMMER BOX SET HERE!

If you like the QuiverCast here are some ways to help us keep going!

I always like Coffee!

Buy me a Coffee!

Find Us:

Website: thequivercast.com

Instagram: @quiver_cast

Facebook: The QuiverCast

Sound Editing by: The Steele Collective

Send us Fan Mail

Today we catch up with longtime Quivercast friend Erik “Smelly” Sandin @picklestix_ of NOFX. Fresh off the band’s recent retirement from touring (but not breaking up), Smelly fills us in on life after the road and what’s keeping him busy these days. From appearances tied to the new NOFX film “40 Years of Fucking Up” to staying deeply connected to the surf world, it’s clear he hasn’t slowed down one bit. With summer right around the corner, now’s the time to get dialed—check out his latest snowboard and grab a fresh, hand-shaped stick from Picklestix. 

Order a Picklestix Surfboard!

Check our the Punk Rock Museum!

Check out the 40 Years of Fucking Up Movie Dates!

Support the show

BUY THE ENDLESS SUMMER BOX SET HERE!

If you like the QuiverCast here are some ways to help us keep going!

I always like Coffee!

Buy me a Coffee!

Find Us:

Website: thequivercast.com

Instagram: @quiver_cast

Facebook: The QuiverCast

Sound Editing by: The Steele Collective

Send us Fan Mail

Today on The Quivercast, we sit down with legendary surf coach Martin Dunn @martin.dunn.surfcoach—a true pioneer who helped shape what modern surf coaching looks like today. Widely regarded as one of the first to formalize surf coaching, Martin has spent decades refining techniques and helping surfers unlock their full potential. From guiding his son Ben Dunn onto the WCT to working with a wide range of elite-level competitors, his influence spans multiple generations of high-performance surfing.

But Martin’s impact isn’t limited to the pros. He’s just as passionate about helping everyday surfers level up, offering structured coaching programs designed to improve skills, awareness, and confidence in the water. Whether you’re chasing competitive success or just trying to surf better on your local break, this episode dives into the mindset, methods, and legacy of one of surfing’s most influential coaches.

Check out esurfr.com

Support the show

BUY THE ENDLESS SUMMER BOX SET HERE!

If you like the QuiverCast here are some ways to help us keep going!

I always like Coffee!

Buy me a Coffee!

Find Us:

Website: thequivercast.com

Instagram: @quiver_cast

Facebook: The QuiverCast

Sound Editing by: The Steele Collective

Send us Fan Mail

We catch up with our good friend Joe Turpel for a quick rundown on the new men’s and women’s WCT qualifiers heading into the 2026 season. Joe breaks down who they are, and their influence on the 2026 season. 

Support the show

BUY THE ENDLESS SUMMER BOX SET HERE!

If you like the QuiverCast here are some ways to help us keep going!

I always like Coffee!

Buy me a Coffee!

Find Us:

Website: thequivercast.com

Instagram: @quiver_cast

Facebook: The QuiverCast

Sound Editing by: The Steele Collective

Send us Fan Mail

Today on Quivercast, we sit down with former pro surfer, surf industry veteran, and vintage board collector Chris Burke. Hailing from Western Australia, Chris paints a picture of a coastline that still offers empty, unridden waves—something that feels increasingly rare in today’s surf world. He reflects on his competitive career with honesty, admitting that while he followed the contest path, it was never something he truly loved. At the same time, he was balancing an apprenticeship as a chef, juggling two demanding pursuits before realizing something had to give.

That turning point came when burnout from the kitchen pushed Chris to fully commit to the surf industry. From there, he carved out a path working with a range of surf companies, gaining deep insight into the business side of surfing. Today, his passion remains firmly rooted in wave riding, but it’s also evolved into preserving and revitalizing surf culture. Through acquiring and rebuilding legacy surf brands, Chris is playing an active role in bringing new life to the industry he’s been part of for decades.

Support the show

BUY THE ENDLESS SUMMER BOX SET HERE!

If you like the QuiverCast here are some ways to help us keep going!

I always like Coffee!

Buy me a Coffee!

Find Us:

Website: thequivercast.com

Instagram: @quiver_cast

Facebook: The QuiverCast

Sound Editing by: The Steele Collective

Send us Fan Mail

Today we chat with Merewether pro surfer Jacko Baker @jacko_baker for a quick but fun visit on the Quivercast. Jacko drops in to talk about life on the pro surfing circuit and the excitement building around the upcoming Challenger Series stop at his home break, the Newcastle Surfest. Growing up surfing Merewether, Jacko shares what it means to compete at a world-class event right in front of the local crowd that’s watched him develop from a grom into a pro.

We also dive into Jacko’s boards, the equipment he trusts when the pressure is on, and the surfers from Merewether who inspired him along the way. Known for his easygoing personality and positive outlook, Jacko brings great energy to the conversation and gives listeners a glimpse into the mindset of a hometown pro heading into a big event. It’s a quick, entertaining chat you won’t want to miss.

Support the show

BUY THE ENDLESS SUMMER BOX SET HERE!

If you like the QuiverCast here are some ways to help us keep going!

I always like Coffee!

Buy me a Coffee!

Find Us:

Website: thequivercast.com

Instagram: @quiver_cast

Facebook: The QuiverCast

Sound Editing by: The Steele Collective