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PODCAST · sports

Surf Splendor

by David Lee Scales

Conversations and stories about surfing. www.SurfSplendorPodcast.com email: [email protected]

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 30, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. 609 - Jason Murray

    In today's show Natural Selection Surf's GM Jason Murray charts his unlikely rise to the photo editor desk at Surfer Magazine in an era where 10,000 slides would pass through monthly, the unknown charger who grabbed a board from a dumpster to nail a cover shot, why perseverance and work ethic can...

  2. 608 - Steve Pezman

    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!

  3. 607 - Jon Rose

    In today's show Jon Rose reflects on his 15 years building Waves For Water and reveals the toll of the trauma absorbed from being a first-responding humanitarian worker in disaster zones, the breaking point that followed and how it led to the discovery of one childhood event that had unknowingly...

  4. 606 - Maurice Cole: Part Three

    In today's show Icons Of Foam honoree Maurice Cole gives us his "fossil update" on the past 6 years, explains which designs have remained cutting edge for 25 years, details the extremely different requirements when shaping for Curren vs Occy vs Margo vs Taj and which variables net the same end...

  5. 605 - Jeannie Chesser

    In today's show South Shore icon Jeannie Chesser reveals how her father's boat racing savvy led to her competitive success, the power of love at first sight, how Bob Dylan launched her 53 year career as an artist, the perpetual gift that was Rell Sun, winning Hawaii State Champs alongside her…

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  6. 604 - Steve Hawk: Nearshore

    In today's show, Nearshore author Steve Hawk explains why his Google search history might trigger the authorities, how he initially got into writing for the groupies, the challenges inherent in writing about the sublingual act of surfing, why villains deserve sympathy too, how he met his wife...

  7. 603 - Tom Servais : Part Two

    In part two (of two) Tom Servais discusses the role that good luck played in his greatest images, the worthy risk of shooting from the left at Jaws, which person he'll never ride a Jetski with again, why he's chasing wind now more than waves, which surfer inspires his photography and lifestyle...

  8. 602 - Tom Servais : Part One

    In today's show surf photographer Tom Servais shares the stories behind some of the most iconic photos of the past 30 years, how he went from Miami to the dark room at Surfer Mag, whom he views as the greatest surf photographers, the sacrifices made to be on the perpetual "trip of a lifetime"…

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  9. 601 - Johanna Brebner

    In today's show surfer and novice cyclist Johanna Brebner discusses what prompted her to sojourn on a 3 month surf trip, bicycling from the bottom to the top of New Zealand, the clarity that comes from going slow, the benefits of a one board quiver, the empowerment that comes from setting...

  10. 600 - Ben Bourgeois

    In today's episode, nomadic pro surfer Ben Bourgeois joins us to explain how to travel the world on a perpetual surf trip, the tension of showcasing your life on social media without exploiting the resource, how investing in inner-work is the only path to progressing your surfing through midlife,...

  11. 599 - Troy Eckert

    Troy Eckert joins us to discuss his role is helping build a billion dollar surf brand and the consternation of walking away from it, why self turmoil leads to external turmoil, the importance of saying "no", and how to get the best wave of your life after turning 50. Enjoy!

  12. 598 - Dan Mann: Part Two

    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...

  13. 597 - Dan Mann: Part One

    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...

  14. 596 - Jeff Johnson: Part Two

    In Part Two, Jeff Johnson explains how he side-doored his way into becoming Patagonia's first staff photographer, the toll of being sued by one of his surf idols, and he distills the value of being naive to your own limitations. Enjoy!

  15. 595 - Jeff Johnson: Part One

    Adventurer Jeff Johnson joins us today to explain his path from ne'er-do-well skate teen to world class photographer; from stealing lumber to build skate ramps, to lifeguarding on the North Shore, to designing a professional life of world travel, Jeff explains how boredom is the key to unlocking...

  16. 594 - Torren Martyn: Southern Edge

    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...

  17. 593 - Matt Titone: Surf Shacks

    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...

  18. 592 - Paul Strauch

    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,...

  19. 592 - Paul Strauch

    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,...

  20. 591 - Eden Saul: Dead Kooks

    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...

  21. 591 - Eden Saul: Dead Kooks

    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...

  22. 590 - Rob Machado | The Surfrider Podcast

    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...

  23. 589 - Gerry Lopez: PodAloha with Paul Strauch

    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…

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  24. 588 - Greg Noll: PodAloha with Paul Strauch

    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…

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  25. 587 - Skip Frye: PodAloha with Paul Strauch

    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…

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  26. 586 - Brenden "Margo" Margieson

    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!…

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  27. 586 - Brenden "Margo" Margieson

    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!…

    more
  28. 585 - Roger Hinds

    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...

  29. 585 - Roger Hinds

    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...

  30. 584 - Bob McTavish: Part Three

    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...

  31. 584 - Bob McTavish: Part Three

    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...

  32. 583 - Randy Hild: A Life Built On Boardshorts

    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...

  33. 583 - Randy Hild: A Life Built On Boardshorts

    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...

  34. 582 - Bob McTavish: Part Two

    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...

  35. 582 - Bob McTavish: Part Two

    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...

  36. 581 - Bob McTavish: Part One

    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…

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  37. 581 - Bob McTavish: Part One

    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…

    more
  38. 580 - Jeff Divine

    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...

  39. 580 - Jeff Divine

    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...

  40. 579 - Max Stewart: Eye Symmetry Surfboards

    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...

  41. 579 - Max Stewart: Eye Symmetry Surfboards

    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...

  42. 578 - Matt Warshaw

    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...

  43. 578 - Matt Warshaw

    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...

  44. 577 - Jordan Rodin

    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...

  45. 577 - Jordan Rodin

    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...

  46. 576 - John Philbin

    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!...

  47. 576 - John Philbin

    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!...

  48. 575 - Kyle Thiermann

    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...

  49. 575 - Kyle Thiermann

    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...

  50. 574 - Paul Naude: The State Of The Industry

    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…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Conversations and stories about surfing. www.SurfSplendorPodcast.com email: [email protected]

HOSTED BY

David Lee Scales

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Surf Splendor have?

Surf Splendor currently has 601 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Surf Splendor about?

Conversations and stories about surfing. www.SurfSplendorPodcast.com email: [email protected]

How often does Surf Splendor release new episodes?

Surf Splendor releases new episodes frequently with a large back catalog of 601 episodes. Check the episode list for recent publication dates.

Where can I listen to Surf Splendor?

You can listen to Surf Splendor on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Surf Splendor?

Surf Splendor is created and hosted by David Lee Scales.
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