EP #32: Frank Solomon - Riding Giants | Facing Fear | Protecting the Ocean

Frank Solomon is a world-renowned big wave surfer, ocean adventurer, and the founder of Sentinel Ocean Alliance. Raised on the rugged coastline of South Africa, Frank has ridden some of the most dangerous waves on Earth, from Mavericks in California to the legendary Dungeons in Hout Bay. But beyond pushing the limits of human courage, he has dedicated his life to protecting the ocean and empowering coastal communities through education, safety, and conservation. In this powerful and grounded episode, Frank takes us deep into the world of big wave surfing and ocean stewardship, exploring: What it takes mentally, physically, and emotionally, to ride waves over 50 feet tall The unique danger and beauty of Dungeons, one of the world’s most feared big wave surf breaks How fear becomes a tool rather than an obstacle in extreme environments Why the ocean is not just a playground, but a living system under real threat How Sentinel Ocean Alliance is transforming coastal communities through ocean education, safety training, and conservation initiatives What everyday people can do to reconnect with, respect, and protect the sea, even if they never surf This is a raw, reflective, and inspiring conversation about courage, humility, and responsibility, where adventure meets advocacy, and where loving the ocean means standing up for it. 🎙️ What is Impact in the 21st Century? Impact in the 21st Century is a podcast that celebrates the impactful work being done around the globe and shares the stories of the inspiring individuals behind it. 👤 Who hosts the podcast? Aaron Friedland is a National Geographic Explorer, PhD Candidate in Econometrics at UBC, and Founder of the Simbi Foundation. 🦻 Who makes it sound good? Tom Foster is an Award-Winning Recording Engineer and Cinematographer, Up-and-Coming Composer, Film Scoring Student at Berklee College of Music, and Head of Audio & Music for the Sea Change Project. This podcast is brought to you by Simbi Foundation & The Goood Life.