Without Dougall Walker you might not be surfing a Firewire Surfboard and Kelly Slater might not own a surfboard company. Before he became CEO of Volcom Australia, Dougall Co-Founded Firewire. But this story doesn't begin there. In 1980 he was the first person ever to surf a thruster in Hawaii. And in 1986 he was tapped by Billabong Founder Gordon Merchant to join Billabong as Sales Manager. Dougall spent the next 18 years helping to grow Billabong, eventually retiring from his post as General Manager of Billabong Australasia in 2004, a year that Billabong earned hundreds of millions in revenue. Not bad for a brand that started out making board shorts on a kitchen table. It was difficult for Dougall to leave his staff of 300 people but he wanted to surf more and wanted to hang more with family. And now he's excited to hang with you in this episode of The Wire Podcast. 

The Wire ep. #13 - Look inside Billabong and Volcom with Firewire Co-Founder Dougall Walker; CEO of Volcom Australia

Firewire believes  in the perpetual improvement of the surfing experience through the development of new materials, construction methods and surfboard design, while maintaining continued focus on improving the ecofriendliness of surfboard production. The wire is our platform for introducing Firewire fans around the world to our community of Firewire contributors, as well as other individuals who's work and expertise benefits all surfers.

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Inspired by the body of the Great White Shark, Kelly Slater designed the ‘Great White Twin’ in I-Bolic Technology with Volcanic Lamination alongside Bali based surfboard designer Mike Woo. This high performance fish fits in your quiver where most fish don’t - it creates speed in weak waves, but also controls speed in powerful waves, and it excels at tight arcs in punchy pockets and quick wraps on shoulder sections.  This all new surfboard model from Slater Designs has volume hidden at center with fine rails for immediate response and quick reaction in the pocket. It has the speed of a twin fin with the controlled pivot of a thruster, and it's elevated tail rocker makes it magic on your backhand.  Recommended to surf at your performance volume and designed to pair with Kelly's signature 'Twin + 2' fin set, the Great White Twin is available at Surf Shops and Online Stores everywhere on November 20th. About Volcanic Lamination:  A sustainable alternative to carbon lamination in performance shapes. Derived from natural fibers extruded from basalt rock. A lamination enhancement for both I-Bolic and Helium Cores. Increased response and deck durability.  About I-Bolic Technology:      Firm, drivey and reassuring underfoot. Enables powerful surfing in good waves. Unrivaled break strength. A favorite among our most talented team riders   For more, visit http://www.firewiresurfboards.com     

ep. #73 - Kelly Slater talks Great White Sharks and The Great White Twin

Kevin Shulz has a new career in the Fire Service but still maintains his old career as a professional surfer. In this episode he shares what its like to be called 'the Air GOAT' while designing boards with the actual GOAT, Kelly Slater. 

ep. # 72 - Kevin Schulz raids Kelly's shed and shares his worst injuries, best boards and why he rides the Mashup as a 2 + 1.

Fresh off a productive knee rehab, Tomo joins us today to discuss buying land in Scotland, ripping Surf Ranch on a REVO, and riding the most uncommon wave craft we've ever seen - a 'Surfmat'.

ep. #71 - Tomo buys land in Scotland and rips Surf Ranch on a REVO

This August, nearly 20 years after winning the U.S. Open of Surfing in 2003, Taylor Jensen became the Vans Duct Tape Invitational Champion at the U.S. Open in Huntington Beach, riding a Thunderbolt RED Special T model by Dan Mann. Enjoy this episode. 

ep. # 70 - Duct Tape Invitational Champion Taylor Jensen

Charlie Ninegar began his career at a Los Angeles Surf Shop and after a storied series of roles at many surf companies you've heard of, he is today VP of Sales at Nixon, where he spends at least some of his working hours partially occupied by thoughts of surfing his Tomo EVO and REVO.  Enjoy.

The Wire ep. #13 - Look inside Billabong and Volcom with Firewire Co-Founder Dougall Walker; CEO of Volcom Australia

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