Surf Splendor

In today's show Dan Mann returns to discuss the introduction and evolution of his partnership with Firewire, how to navigate the world of internet trolls, the dividends paid in feedback from the greatest surfer of all time, what he would build for Ethan next, the misconceptions about overseas manufacturing, and why he's obsessed with side-cut surfboards. Enjoy!

In today's show board builder Dan Mann shares his very different experience with Stab In The Dark X than what we all viewed, whether he thinks Kelly knew, and details his multifaceted work history long before his association with Firewire, how Velzy and Eaton sparked his passion for alternative constructions, the tribulations and virtues of owning a glass shop, his tireless pursuit to extend the freshness of a new board, and the ineffable value embedded in a custom surfboard. Enjoy Part One of Two with Dan Mann.

In today's episode Torren Martyn returns to discuss leaving Byron to rebalance life, his latest sailing journey to circumnavigate Tasmania in an 18 foot kayak, staying true to a filmmaking focus despite market shifts, intentionally deflecting career opportunities in order to maintain a singular focus, and how seeking solitude can yield deeper community connections. Enjoy!

In today's show designer Matt Titone discusses the inception point for Indoek and their Surf Shack's series, relives the anxiety of not knowing how to pick a career, marvels at the enduring influence of print, explains how great home design has little correlation with money, reveals which surfers refuse to let him into their home, the frustration of working with surf brands, and why creative inspiration is an endless boom and bust cycle. Enjoy!

Paul Strauch passed away this past weekend, at peace, at home with loved ones, comfortable and with his beloved Hawaiian music playing by his bedside. His daughter Summer said, “I asked my dad recently what he would want to say to everyone when he stepped into eternal life. He smiled and said, ‘ALOHA’.” Today we’re sharing an interview with Paul, recorded in 2019, where he reflects on his early life in Hawaii discovering surfing, Duke Kahanamoku’s mentorship and influence in his life, lessons from George Downing, the inception of the bottom turn, and how “Aloha” became the principal that defined his life and relationships. Enjoy. And aloha, Paul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Strauch passed away this past weekend, at peace, at home with loved ones, comfortable and with his beloved Hawaiian music playing by his bedside. His daughter Summer said, "I asked my dad recently what he would want to say to everyone when he stepped into eternal life. He smiled and said, 'ALOHA'." Today we're sharing an interview with Paul, recorded in 2019, where he reflects on his early life in Hawaii discovering surfing, Duke Kahanamoku's mentorship and influence in his life, lessons from George Downing, the inception of the bottom turn, and how "Aloha" became the principal that defined his life and relationships. Enjoy. And aloha, Paul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s show board builder Eden Saul explains his shifting manufacturing practices in response to erratic US tariffs, injury’s endless travails on a shaper’s livelihood, the blessed gift of finding a committed apprentice, the scary first step of scaling and delegation, how to create a brand aesthetic while still letting you lam team go nuts, and a patriotic fervor for the new crop of CT shredders. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's show board builder Eden Saul explains his shifting manufacturing practices in response to erratic US tariffs, injury's endless travails on a shaper's livelihood, the blessed gift of finding a committed apprentice, the scary first step of scaling and delegation, how to create a brand aesthetic while still letting you lam team go nuts, and a patriotic fervor for the new crop of CT shredders. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary pro surfer Rob Machado is widely regarded as one of the most influential and stylish surfers of all time. But Rob's relationship with and impact on surfing and the ocean run much deeper than his professional career.  In this episode, Rob shares about his deep family roots in Southern California and traces his personal journey as an ocean advocate —  from taking water samples for Surfrider's Blue Water Task Force as a high school student in Cardiff to founding the Rob Machado Foundation, which has installed water refill stations across San Diego County schools and eliminated millions of single-use plastic bottles. In this wide-ranging conversation, he opens up about the competitive mindset that took him to the pinnacle of the world tour, why that famous high-five with Kelly Slater at Pipeline actually deepened his connection to what surfing should be, and how becoming a father shifted his priorities from tour life to environmental stewardship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode features a conversation between Gerry Lopez and early Hawaiian surf pioneer Paul Strauch. Strauch thanks Lopez for preventing crowds at Sunset, discuss the virtues of surfing pre-leash, reflect on the deeply integrated influence of Duke's spirit still in their lives and the special bond of communicating with him in native Hawaiian, growing up in Hawaii before statehood, surfing through the vast surfboard design evolution, and the essential role of mindfulness in the act of surfing. PodAloha originally aired in 2019 and is being made available to you today through the Strauch family. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode features a conversation between Greg Noll and early Hawaiian surf pioneer Paul Strauch. Noll and Strauch reflect on early lessons hard earned on North Shore in the 1960s, regale with stories of larger than life friends and waves, chart the path of how big wave surfing has developed from their early exploits, and recognize the tremendous gift that surfing was in their lives. PodAloha originally aired in 2019 and is being made available to you today through the Strauch family. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode features a conversation between Skip Frye and early Hawaiian surf pioneer Paul Strauch. From Strauch, "Skip Frye is a legendary figure in the surfing world, renowned for his exceptional skills and significant contributions to surfboard design. With a career spanning several decades, Skip has been a key innovator, known for his work in shaping surfboards that have influenced modern surfing techniques and styles. His deep connection to the ocean and his expertise in big-wave surfing have earned him respect and admiration within the surfing community. Beyond his achievements in the water, Skip's legacy includes mentoring younger surfers and continuing to push the boundaries of surfboard design. His impact on the sport is profound, making him a true icon in surfing's history." PodAloha originally aired in 2019 and is being made available to you today through the Strauch family. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Genre defining pro freesurfer of the 90s, Margo, joins us to discuss ushering pro surfing from cottage to corporate, humility gleaned while working as a baggage handler, how a passion for bird watching led to his greatest work, and what sparked the revival in his surf career at age 50. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Genre defining pro freesurfer of the 90s, Margo, joins us to discuss ushering pro surfing from cottage to corporate, humility gleaned while working as a baggage handler, how a passion for bird watching led to his greatest work, and what sparked the revival in his surf career at age 50. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s show board builder Roger Hinds shares strategies to fend off the old man and continue surfing the North Shore into your 70s, offers a lesson in why original board building materials are still relevant and which modern fabrics offer advancement, reveals why the real threat to domestic board building may come from within, reflects on the reward of restoring historic boards, and explains how to improve your surfing by watching 50 year old surf films. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's show board builder Roger Hinds shares strategies to fend off the old man and continue surfing the North Shore into your 70s, offers a lesson in why original board building materials are still relevant and which modern fabrics offer advancement, reveals why the real threat to domestic board building may come from within, reflects on the reward of restoring historic boards, and explains how to improve your surfing by watching 50 year old surf films. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s show Bob McTavish attributes his biggest design epiphanies to the evolution of the surfboard fin, and each of those to a personal relationship that sparked his inspiration. He shares how Dave Rastovich altered his perception on hydrodynamics, reveals the unfathomable generosity of Bill Bahne, the ingenuity of Tom Morey and Carl Pope, explains how the Sydney ferry and Greenough’s tuna fishing’s influenced fin design, reflects on surfing Noosa before the streets were paved, preaches the supremacy of asymmetry, reflects on the birth of the body board, and how Bunker Spreckles’ El Rollos’ altered his rail designs. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's show Bob McTavish attributes his biggest design epiphanies to the evolution of the surfboard fin, and each of those to a personal relationship that sparked his inspiration. He shares how Dave Rastovich altered his perception on hydrodynamics, reveals the unfathomable generosity of Bill Bahne, the ingenuity of Tom Morey and Carl Pope, explains how the Sydney ferry and Greenough's tuna fishing's influenced fin design, reflects on surfing Noosa before the streets were paved, preaches the supremacy of asymmetry, reflects on the birth of the body board, and how Bunker Spreckles' El Rollos' altered his rail designs. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s show surf biz stalwart Randy Hild details the various false starts at Roxy prior to the inception of their industry-disrupting female boardshort, the tension between scaling and brand authenticity, which parts of the Golden Era were fake and inflated, how a serendipitous Swap Meet discovery led to him becoming an inadvertent surf history archivist, and why 1953 Makaha would be his ultimate time travel destination. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's show surf biz stalwart Randy Hild details the various false starts at Roxy prior to the inception of their industry-disrupting female boardshort, the tension between scaling and brand authenticity, which parts of the Golden Era were fake and inflated, how a serendipitous Swap Meet discovery led to him becoming an inadvertent surf history archivist, and why 1953 Makaha would be his ultimate time travel destination. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode Bob McTavish explains how one of his most iconic designs came to him in a dream and Joey Cabell’s influence in it, he shares the inception of the swallowtail, his afternoon spent with Duke Kahanamoku, the epiphany he had at Rincon in 1967, why he renounced competition for a mortgage and children, climbing out of suffocating debt with an assist from the cast of Jackass, the board he most recently made for Kelly, and reveals the unsung surf heroes who most influenced his journey. Part Two of Surf Splendor with Bob McTavish is now available on all podcast platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode Bob McTavish explains how one of his most iconic designs came to him in a dream and Joey Cabell's influence in it, he shares the inception of the swallowtail, his afternoon spent with Duke Kahanamoku, the epiphany he had at Rincon in 1967, why he renounced competition for a mortgage and children, climbing out of suffocating debt with an assist from the cast of Jackass, the board he most recently made for Kelly, and reveals the unsung surf heroes who most influenced his journey. Part Two of Surf Splendor with Bob McTavish is now available on all podcast platforms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode Bob McTavish shares stories from surfing in an era prior to foam cores and surf wax, charts the path from dropping out of school to surf, to being homeless with only $10 to his name, to stowing away on a ship to Hawaii for the North Shore winter, the jail time that resulted, and he reveals the only two surfboards he’s ever purchased in his life. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode Bob McTavish shares stories from surfing in an era prior to foam cores and surf wax, charts the path from dropping out of school to surf, to being homeless with only $10 to his name, to stowing away on a ship to Hawaii for the North Shore winter, the jail time that resulted, and he reveals the only two surfboards he's ever purchased in his life. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surf photographer and photo editor Jeff Divine’s imagery has largely framed our perspective on North Shore surfing from the 70s and 80s. Today he shares stories from the era defining Expression Session in 1971, reveals that he didn’t befriend Gerry Lopez until a decade after they had helped build one another’s careers, he discusses how the inception of clothing brands altered surf mags editorial style, shares how to showcase personality through still imagery, the best photo he’s ever missed, and how he chose his last ever surf session. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Surf photographer and photo editor Jeff Divine's imagery has largely framed our perspective on North Shore surfing from the 70s and 80s. Today he shares stories from the era defining Expression Session in 1971, reveals that he didn't befriend Gerry Lopez until a decade after they had helped build one another's careers, he discusses how the inception of clothing brands altered surf mags editorial style, shares how to showcase personality through still imagery, the best photo he's ever missed, and how he chose his last ever surf session. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s show board builder Max Stewart explains the inverse relationship between product quality and business growth, tales from early days at Hayden Shapes, how Tom Carroll has informed how he takes custom orders and why he factors your personality into the order card. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's show board builder Max Stewart explains the inverse relationship between product quality and business growth, tales from early days at Hayden Shapes, how Tom Carroll has informed how he takes custom orders and why he factors your personality into the order card. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode the Encyclopedia of Surfing’s Matt Warshaw discusses the risks of having surf history chronicled by a single man, who’s gotten short shrift on the EOS, how much and how little has changed in surf culture since the first magazine, an examination of pioneering female surf photographers, the first surfer to go at Backdoor, and why he got screamed at (and run over) on his most recent surf trip. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode the Encyclopedia of Surfing's Matt Warshaw discusses the risks of having surf history chronicled by a single man, who's gotten short shrift on the EOS, how much and how little has changed in surf culture since the first magazine, an examination of pioneering female surf photographers, the first surfer to go at Backdoor, and why he got screamed at (and run over) on his most recent surf trip. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode Jordan Rodin joins us to chat about life lessons and hazing gleaned from Derek Hynd, make a case for heavier surfboards, explain his 5 year hiatus from getting barreled, why you should be stripping down used boards and reshaping them, what famous sculptors of centuries past can teach us about surfing, why sometimes the smallest movements can translate to the biggest things. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode Jordan Rodin joins us to chat about life lessons and hazing gleaned from Derek Hynd, make a case for heavier surfboards, explain his 5 year hiatus from getting barreled, why you should be stripping down used boards and reshaping them, what famous sculptors of centuries past can teach us about surfing, why sometimes the smallest movements can translate to the biggest things. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s show actor John Philbin recounts his life as an escape artist, shares dangers of achieving one’s life goals, the false paradigm of self-confidence, why he is not a good actor, how to reform a bitter and angry disposition, and why he doesn’t trust anyone who isn’t a hypocrite. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's show actor John Philbin recounts his life as an escape artist, shares dangers of achieving one's life goals, the false paradigm of self-confidence, why he is not a good actor, how to reform a bitter and angry disposition, and why he doesn't trust anyone who isn't a hypocrite. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s show Kyle Thiermann shares the near death experience that altered his life’s perspective, explains the creative fertility nested in boredom, shares how his relationship with psychedelics has changed after nearly a decade of experimentation, reflects on the moment he learned you don’t need to master your hobbies, and discusses his desire to maintain strong relationships with his parents despite developing radically different ideologies and how that inspired his first book, “One Last Question Before You Go: Why You Should Interview Your Parent’s”. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's show Kyle Thiermann shares the near death experience that altered his life's perspective, explains the creative fertility nested in boredom, shares how his relationship with psychedelics has changed after nearly a decade of experimentation, reflects on the moment he learned you don't need to master your hobbies, and discusses his desire to maintain strong relationships with his parents despite developing radically different ideologies and how that inspired his first book, "One Last Question Before You Go: Why You Should Interview Your Parent's". Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s show Vissla CEO Paul Naude joins us to discuss how the consolidation of major surf brands is affecting surf culture, how the licensing operational model can threaten retailer’s long term viability, why now is a fertile opportunity for growth for independent brands and retail, and why the consumer wields influence through the power of their purchasing. Recorded live at the SIMA SUPER SUMMIT at the Rivian Theatre on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's show Vissla CEO Paul Naude joins us to discuss how the consolidation of major surf brands is affecting surf culture, how the licensing operational model can threaten retailer's long term viability, why now is a fertile opportunity for growth for independent brands and retail, and why the consumer wields influence through the power of their purchasing. Recorded live at the SIMA SUPER SUMMIT at the Rivian Theatre on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s show early Peruvian shaping pioneer Rodolfo Klima joins us to discuss Peru as the inception place of surfing and it’s integral role in early surf competitions, learning how to shape by instinct alone, Gordon Clark's unknown factory in Peru, the challenge of building a business in an unstable economy and democracy, why Peru may generate the next disruptive crop of pros, and his opportunity to compete in the Icons of Foam shaping competition. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's show early Peruvian shaping pioneer Rodolfo Klima joins us to discuss Peru as the inception place of surfing and it's integral role in early surf competitions, learning how to shape by instinct alone, Gordon Clark's unknown factory in Peru, the challenge of building a business in an unstable economy and democracy, why Peru may generate the next disruptive crop of pros, and his opportunity to compete in the Icons of Foam shaping competition. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s show South African pro surfer turned shaper Barry Vandermeulen joins to share stories of early life in the remote but influential Bay of Plenty, his tutelage from Spider to Spyder, Matt Biolos’s springboard into his eponymous label, how to run a business without a website, why he doesn’t put his name on his surfboards, and his opportunity to compete in the Icons of Foam shaping competition. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's show South African pro surfer turned shaper Barry Vandermeulen joins to share stories of early life in the remote but influential Bay of Plenty, his tutelage from Spider to Spyder, Matt Biolos's springboard into his eponymous label, how to run a business without a website, why he doesn't put his name on his surfboards, and his opportunity to compete in the Icons of Foam shaping competition. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s show Thomas Campbell unpacks the 10 year process of making YI-WO, analyzes the value and the cost of asking an audience to be present, shares the experience in Morocco wherein he was dead broke that spring-boarded his painting career, explains how a short skate film for Supreme led him to surf filmmaking, and grapples with the challenge of showcasing the depth of the surf experience through film. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's show Thomas Campbell unpacks the 10 year process of making YI-WO, analyzes the value and the cost of asking an audience to be present, shares the experience in Morocco wherein he was dead broke that spring-boarded his painting career, explains how a short skate film for Supreme led him to surf filmmaking, and grapples with the challenge of showcasing the depth of the surf experience through film. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s show North Shore icon Eric Arakawa shares insights from 51 years of surfboard shaping, explains the invention of the Nose Guard, why it’s essential to use money and love people but most people do the opposite, how to leverage burnout to fuel inspiration, recounts the chance encounter with one enigmatic shaper that changed both their lives, and explains the succession plan for Arakawa Surfboards that will allow him to utilize the next decade to invest in people. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's show North Shore icon Eric Arakawa shares insights from 51 years of surfboard shaping, explains the invention of the Nose Guard, why it's essential to use money and love people but most people do the opposite, how to leverage burnout to fuel inspiration, recounts the chance encounter with one enigmatic shaper that changed both their lives, and explains the succession plan for Arakawa Surfboards that will allow him to utilize the next decade to invest in people. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode Makua Rothman discusses surfing Waimea at age 8, his maternal lineage to King Kamehameha, songwriting as a catharsis to process childhood trauma, how his World Title count was limited by his addition, the freedom in relinquishing the weight of expectation, and how society’s modern embrace of vulnerability can open pathways of communication with old-school parents. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode Makua Rothman discusses surfing Waimea at age 8, his maternal lineage to King Kamehameha, songwriting as a catharsis to process childhood trauma, how his World Title count was limited by his addition, the freedom in relinquishing the weight of expectation, and how society's modern embrace of vulnerability can open pathways of communication with old-school parents. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode early surf icon Joey Cabell talks through transitioning from solid redwood boards (which he purchased from his shoeshine earnings) through Balsa to being the first Polyurethane foam board tester for Clark & Hobie, he share stories of being on the Duke Kahanamoku Surf Team, training for winter Hanalei by swimming the Nā Pali coast with Mike Doyle, winning the Duke and Peru International multiple times, founding The Chart House in Aspen in 1962, setting a record sailing from Hawaii to Papeete, the near-death mishap for Mickey Munoz on the return voyage, and so much more. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode early surf icon Joey Cabell talks through transitioning from solid redwood boards (which he purchased from his shoeshine earnings) through Balsa to being the first Polyurethane foam board tester for Clark & Hobie, he share stories of being on the Duke Kahanamoku Surf Team, training for winter Hanalei by swimming the Nā Pali coast with Mike Doyle, winning the Duke and Peru International multiple times, founding The Chart House in Aspen in 1962, setting a record sailing from Hawaii to Papeete, the near-death mishap for Mickey Munoz on the return voyage, and so much more. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices