Surf Splendor

The story of Gordon and Smith surfboard closely mirrors the story of surfing in Southern California. The brand is credited with introducing the first surf logo tee, the first shaping machine, the first surf skateboard, and much more. Today Debbie Gordon reflects on the six decade journey and explains why focusing on quality surfboards is now as important as ever. Enjoy! Intro Music: Does It Really Make A Difference, Galactic & Mavis Staples Outro Music: Roll On Babe, Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff & Ryan Hurley join us to discuss sharing their childhood bedroom with Occy and Sunny, lessons learned from their father's big gamble, the art of a well-executed exit, the importance of aligning one's work and value system, and how a brand can make an impact in the world. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Publisher Steve Pezman joins us to discuss his new book, how to succeed in print publishing in 2022, why modern surfing needs more counter-culture figures, lament the interviews that he still hasn't gotten, and explain why Olympic surfing showcases a false representation of the sport. Enjoy! Link to Steve's first appearance on Surf Splendor in 2014, Episode 35 Intro Music: Tim Buckley, Buzzin' Fly Outro Music: Bob Dylan, Buckets of Rain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sterling Spencer returns to discuss the dark repercussions of his brain injury, his path through recovery, how his audience has given him purpose, the importance of kindness, the kindness of Machado, and as cliche as it sounds, the healing powers of the sea. Enjoy! Intro Music: Alex Ebert, Truth Outro Music: Anderson.Paak, The Bird Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dane Hantz returns to discuss withdrawing Vulcan Surfboards from the market, how the shaping machine is enabling an authoritative archiving of surfboard history, the disconnect between the surf industry and surf culture, and how one physical altercation in the water has kept his dry docked for the past two years. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dick Metz returns to discuss a new documentary featuring his return to South Africa to relive and revisit the journey that inspired The Endless Summer. He also recounts his role in the early days of Clark Foam, working with a young Gerry Lopez, his relationship with Duke, and how he came to acquire the unequivocal greatest collection of surfboards in the world. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sasha Jane Lowerson made international news last month for winning Women's Longboard Title's in West Oz, not for the feat itself, but for the fact that she had been competing for the previous three decades in the men's divisions. Today she share's her thoughts on the Internet's fervent response to her wins, she addresses questions of fairness, and details the cost of suppressing one's true self. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pro surfer turned media man Dylan Graves is now using his popular Vlog to dissect social dilemma's that surf media historically has willfully ignored. Through doing so, he's also successfully transitioned his pro surf career into a new chapter where he's found more meaning and purpose. Today we discuss the journey, motivations, and his imperative to expand surfings inclusivity. Intro Music: Solange, Binz Outro Music: Gabriel Garzon-Montano, Sour Mango Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Self proclaimed "pro surf fraud", Benji Weatherley joins us to chat about being cancelled by the WSL, his regrettable compulsion for making excuses, how his 10 disappeared years were his happiest and most informative, and why being honest about addiction staves off depression and helps keep the narrative light. Enjoy! Intro Music: Edward Sharp, That's What's Up Outro Music: The Black Keys, Everlasting Light Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jon Pyzel joins us from Bali to discuss JJF's one-universal-board theory, the value of growing a business slower than its potential, why he keeps such a small roster of athletes, the risks involved with so closely tying his brand to one athlete, and his accidental path to being business savvy. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artist Drew Brophy catapulted to surf world fame in the 90s by when his artwork adorned the boards that sparked a cultural movement. He parlayed that popularity over the next three decades into television and film work, corporate commissions, and fine art. In November 2021, he contracted COVID and spent 28 days in a coma. Today he recounts the experience and attempts to process life after returning from the edge of existence. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wayne Rich is an International Surfboard Builder Hall of Famer and a 2x Icons of Foam winner. In this episode Wayne details his childhood in Hermosa Beach during the heyday of Noll, Bing, and Weber. He unpacks asymmetrical board design and discusses how the wipeout that nearly paralyzed him altered his perspective on surfing, shaping, and life. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Waterman, the award winning Duke Kahanamoku documentary hit theaters last week. Today filmmaker Isaac Halasima discusses Duke's extraordinary life, how he navigated the delicate nature of sharing a vested story, and how Waterman will serve in the long legacy of Polynesian oral tradition. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surf lampooner Jonathan Wayne Freeman joins us to recount his fast rise to Instagram stardom, warn about the perils of pretending to be a manly man, offer insights for how to pursue a childhood dream in your 40s, and tell the tale of being chased across the Pacific by the posse of a famous, fun-loving hippy. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fourth generation magician, surfing's kickflip pioneer, and Santa Cruz stalwart regales us with stories of having Barney as a neighbor, how expected recognition is an empty pursuit, the power of positivity, and how to turn grief into fuel for your life's work. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Jacobs sits at the nexus of surf content distribution. The top filmmakers in surf rely on him to ensure their work finds its way to you, regardless of what platforms you're on; no easy task when audiences are dispersed and attention spans are waning. Today he explains the complications and opportunity that exist for filmmakers and dissects his next big projects. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean Murphy ditched the suit and tie and the weight of his parent's expectations to follow a pipe dream. His life experience uniquely positioned him to develop a niche business that would come to influence the surf world beyond measure. Today he shares his origin story and explains why relationships are fundamental to business success and what surf travel looks like post-COVID. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephen Cooney was raised on the Northern Beaches of Sydney in the 50s and 60s. At the age of 16, Albe Falzon invited him to Bali to surf in his upcoming, now seminal, surf film. Cooney found himself embedded within three simultaneous flash points in surfing; the shortboard revolution, the MOTE movement, and the launching of Tracks magazine. Today we revisit the stories and photos through his newly released autography, Unearthed. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The always lovely Jamie Brisick returns to tell us about his foray into podcast hosting, dating in his 50s, the status of Westerly, and how to maintain vibrant creativity throughout life's many ups and downs. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This month marks the 50th anniversary of the seminal surf film Morning Of The Earth. Filmmaker Albe Falzon joins us to the films recently found footage, his effortless dedication to living in a creative flow state, losing his passion for filmmaking, and the importance of visibility. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ehukai lifeguard, greatest bodysurfer of all time, friend to all, Mark Cunningham joins us to discuss amphibious life, the greatest to ever ride Pipe, the importance of surf brands, the over growth of the North Shore, and why being immersed in water is better than gliding atop. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been 2 years since our last one-on-one with Selema Masekela. In that time he’s reversed aged, launched a clothing brand, a book, a podcast, and commentated surfings debut at the Olympics. Today we catch up and he blueprints his recipe for wise wellness as he embarks on his 6th decade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stab's resident surfboard reviewer, writer, and content wrangler Michael Ciaramella joins us to detail his first-ever sessions at Pipe and Waimea. He talks about confront the fear, board selection, crowd navigation, the glory of success, and why he why he only advocates for a helmet sometimes. Plus we talk Stab biz and much more. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brad Gerlach hosts a chat with the winner and winning team of the Da Hui Backdoor Shootout, Snapt4's Mason Ho, Parker Coffin, Barron Mamiya, Benji Brand, and filmmaker Logan Dulien. Brad celebrates their win and dissects waves-that-could-have-been and strategizes for the next session. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

San Diego board builder Stu Kenson has built boards for decades, with Rusty, for Joel Tudor, with JS, and all the while for his own SK Shapes label. Today he joins us to discuss surf culture's recent infusion of "recreationalists", the magic of channels, building Maverick's Guns, and how to surf at a high level into your mid-sixties. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices