This Ocean Life Podcast

** Interview episode 120 **

Neil Pearlberg surfs, SUPs, writes and talks on all things skate and surf. As co-host of Off The Lip Radio Show Neil has been documenting the colorful surfing and skateboard lifestyle of Santa Cruz for over a decade. With over 375 episodes, Off The Lip Radio show shares the stories and perspectives from famous big wave chargers, local shapers, musicians, technologists, and much more. Today, Neil takes us through his days writing for the local newspaper, starting Off The Lip Radio, and being an early adopter of stand up paddle boarding in Santa Cruz. We hear his perspective on the evolution of santa cruz surfing over the last decade, sharing thoughts on the hot bed of talent and crazy characters that Santa Cruz waters have produced. Neil pulls no punches and tells it like it is —I hope you enjoy.

Find more about Off The Lip Radio Show and give a listen -- visit https://offthelipradio.com/podcast or find it on all the major podcast platforms. If you like what you hear, I appreciate you following This Ocean Life on your podcast app and/or sharing with a friend. Hope everyone is well and safe. You can find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  

** Episode 119 **

In the waters of South Florida, marine biologist and podcaster Kara Muzia splits her time between working to protect sea turtles and sharing stories from other marine biologists. With a strong dedication to helping the next generation understand the wide variety of paths to becoming a marine biologist and the realities of the profession, Kara hosts ’So You Want to Be A Marine Biologist Podcast’ that provides unique perspectives and stories from others in her profession. Throughout her own career in Marine Biology, Kara has worked across different disciplines and now today focuses on sea turtle research and conservation. On the topic of sensitivity to human impact on beaches by nesting turtles, Kara shares an interesting perspective on what the COVID-19 lockdown has done for sea turtles through less disturbed beaches near her in South Florida. Now Kara rounds out her ocean life with strong dedication to exposing her young family to the water and providing guided nature tours by paddle board around her area. 

Learn more about Kara and her podcast on her website, Instagram, and Facebook.

I hope you get inspired today by Kara like I did. If you like what you hear, I appreciate you following This Ocean Life on your podcast app and/or sharing with a friend. Hope everyone is well and safe. You can find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  

** Stoked Grom Stories #8 **

Max Hart is a 12-year old legend-in-the-making from Sydney's Gold Coast. With a well rounded set of skills and knowledge in the ocean that includes fishing, surfing, and spearfishing Max is constantly busy enjoying life in the water with friends and family. Competing in state championship paddle races and surf competitions, Max is no stranger to pressure. Playing a leading role in the School of Rock Musical in both South Korea and Australia, totaling over 130 performances, Max rips on the guitar and continues to add this gift to his already impressive set of skills in the water. Max shares the ins and outs of his favorite surf breaks, like Byron Bay and Snapper Rock, talks about his favorite dive spots, and masterfully handles the dreaded lightening round of questions.

I hope you get inspired today by this stoked grom like I did. If you like what you hear, I appreciate you following This Ocean Life on your podcast app and/or sharing with a friend. Hope everyone is well and safe. You can find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  

** Interview Episode 118 **

For over 80 years the Australian Government has supported the killing of sharks along popular Queensland and New South Wales beaches through nets and baited hooks under the guise of public safety. Today we hear the truth behind this senseless ‘culling’ of sharks that not only kills other animals, such as whales, dolphins, and rays, but also has zero proof of positive impact on human safety in the water. Today Andre Borrell, director and producer, with Madison Stewart, shark conservationist and co-star, take us through the history and horrors of the Australian shark culling program and how they have came together with many others to create this amazing movie, Envoy:Cull, that has the sole purpose of ending this 83-year government program. In this we have epic stories of bravery and passion for the ocean, with tales of following an undeniable calling in life that some, like Andre and Madi, are fortunate to realize.

You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  

** Interview episode 117 **

Today we hear the rad story of two people coming together and building a lifestyle business around their love of the ocean. This story of Steve and Monika takes us from the waters around Turkey where they first bonded over their mutual obsession for kiteboarding, to their time around the Greek Islands, crossing the Atlantic, and into the Caribbean where they are today. We hear about Steve and Monika running their adventure travel business aboard their sailing catamaran, treating guests to the beautiful waters and wind of the Caribbean, and enjoying their own ocean life living afloat. If you’re into kiting, sailing, or just pure freedom on the ocean, you’ll like today’s story from Steve and Monika.

Once we get back to normal life after the COVID-19 pandemic and you’re itching for an adventure on the water, check out what Steve and Monika are up to at SailingWildside.com. Top notch comfort, amazing setting, and great hosts — you won’t go wrong :) 

You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  

** Interview episode 116 **

Francesca Trotman has dedicated her life to preserving the marine life of Mozambique. As a British scholar and marine biologist, Francesca formed a deep connection to the ocean animals in this part of Africa during her university field work and has since planted roots in the country, working with local governments and communities on a number of fronts to help preserve their ocean waters. From setting up marine protected areas to engaging on numerous scientific studies, educating local school children and more, Francesca’s non-profit foundation, Love The Oceans, is her legacy for protecting the ocean in that area of the African continent. Today, we hear her story, filled with inspiration, compassion, and dedication to doing something great for the ocean and another culture outside of her own. 

** Interview episode 115 **

Erin Carey and family set out to sail the world with zero previous experience at sea. With true grit, determination, and some luck her family of 5 enjoyed 18 months sailing the Caribbean aboard S/V ROAM and topped it off with an Atlantic crossing into the Azores. With moments of inspiration and perseverance to the incredibly sketchy and borderline dangerous, this is the story of Erin, her family, and sailing vessel ROAM. See more about Erin, S/V ROAM, and her company ROAM Generation.

You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  

With the current state of plastic pollution, climate change, and COVID-19, I’d say it’s a perfect time for each of us to make a long-term change. Any change, in any way that reduces our footprint on the world leaving more possibility for future generations to enjoy the magic of the ocean. Moving to reusable silicon bags instead of plastic for your food storage is one, buying local and sustainable farmed seafood or produce is another, or skipping Starbucks a couple times a month and donating that money to a non-profit doing good for the world. The list of possibilities is long and I guarantee there is something in it for each of us. So get creative and get committed.

** Interview episode 114 **

Sam Hart is a man of the paddle. With deep experience in surf ski racing, including a relay win at Molokai 2 Oahu in 2017, he rounds out his paddling with both the prone and SUP boards. Along the Sydney's Northern Beaches Sam has been involved in the surf rescue club lifestyle for many years, contributing as active volunteer, and strong team competitor in local events, including the famous Coolangatta Gold where Sam ran, swam, ski paddled, and board paddled his way to top finishes in 2012 and 2013. With a strong focus on outdoor lifestyle and raising his kids in the water, Sam shares with us a humble perspective on his ocean life around Sydney his love for paddling. I caught up with Sam in late March of 2020, in the middle of the COVID pandemic.

** Friendly PSA to us all **

No story ever told by a guest on This Ocean Life is as gnarly as what’s happening around the world today from the COVID-19 virus. My heart goes out to people around the world suffering from the virus and my request here goes out to all the rest of us to contribute in any way we can. Whether its being a bit more patient in line at the gas pump or donating a few bucks to help purchase lacking medical supplies in your area, we can all help out. So take a minute and Google up something that you can do to help, then do it. Best of health to us all.

You can find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  

** Stoked Grom Stories Episode 7 **

Growing up in my hometown of Santa Cruz, CA, The Cooper Sisters, 9 year old Isla and 12 year old Malia, left it all behind with their parents for life at sea. Since January 2019, the entire family has been living in the South Pacific aboard sailing vessel Renegade where the girls have transformed personally, spiritually, and athletically.

With daily life of surfing, diving, fishing, and sailing both Malia and Isla have chosen unique paths in the ocean, developing strength and confidence extremely unique for their age — from surfing hollow waves to diving with sharks. With frequent visits to the outer Fijian Islands, the girls have developed strong understanding and respect for the customs of tribal culture and have made friends with villagers, attended local school, and developed their own strong sense of self-confidence.

To see more about the Cooper Family, visit their website at http://www.sailingwithrenegade.com/. You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  

** Interview Episode 113 **

With a family name synonymous with the sport of golf, Greg Norman Jr has carved out an incredibly deep and well—rounded life in the ocean. From growing up in the waters of Florida to years on Maui Greg has developed love and skill for riding all types of boards on the water — from surfing, kiting, foiling, to wake boarding. Adding on to this a strong passion for the hunt, Greg pushes himself underwater with spearfishing both reefs and blue water, enjoying getting lost in the flow that being in the ocean provides to us all. Throughout, Greg has placed high emphasis on close connection to family and providing greater access to board sports for all with his Shark Cable Park. We started our conversation around the role that the ocean played in his recent engagement to his wife-to-be (it’s a rad story).

Check out the Shark Cable Park at www.sharkwakepark.com

Other pieces to our conversation:

You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate