Bob Voglin: Surfing for Hope Founder on Cancer Survival, Surf Culture, and Riding the Wave of Hope | Up+Adam

Sponsored by PortabidetBob Voglin is one of those Central Coast characters whose story feels bigger than the waves he rides. Known to many locals as “Helmet Bob,” he is a longtime surfer, cancer survivor, and the heart behind Surfing for Hope, a San Luis Obispo–based nonprofit that uses the healing power of the ocean to support individuals and families affected by cancer.What began as an idea sparked in the water has grown into a community movement. Since its early days, Surfing for Hope has raised more than $200,000 for the Hearst Cancer Resource Center and other local programs helping cancer patients and their families. Through surf contests, community gatherings, and programs like the Pure Stoke youth surf clinics, the organization creates moments of connection, healing, and joy for people navigating some of life’s hardest challenges.Bob recently captured his journey in a new memoir, Riding the Wave of Hope. In the book, he reflects on his life in the surf, his battle with cancer, the lessons learned along the way, and the powerful role positivity, spirituality, and the ocean have played in helping him keep moving forward.This conversation dives into Bob’s story, the origin of Surfing for Hope, the impact it continues to have on the Central Coast, and why sharing what you love can sometimes be the most powerful way to help others.• Surfing for Hopehttps://surfingforhope.org/• Buy the book: Riding the Wave of Hopehttps://www.amazon.com/Riding-Wave-Hope-Surviving-challenges/dp/B0FXN3R92Y• Follow Bob Voglin on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/bobvoglin2019/*********PORTABIDET: UP+ADAM IS AN OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON FOR PORTABIDET - USE THIS LINK FOR UP+ADAM LISTENERS TO LEARN MORE AND GET YOURS!*Timbre Event with Cal Poly EIM Students Info HEREListen to Up+Adam with Adam Montiel:Official Website: adammontiel.comApple Podcasts: Up+Adam on Apple PodcastsSpotify: Up+Adam on SpotifyiHeartRadio: Up+Adam on iHeartRadioYouTube Music: Up+Adam on YouTube Music********CHECK OUT OUR WOODS HUMANE PET OF THE WEEK!********ADAM’S TEDX VIDEO IS HERE!********FOLLOW ADAM ON INSTAGRAM*********Sincere Thanks to the current supporters of Up + Adam. Please take a moment and visit them and thank them for supporting local broadcasting, and valuing what we do here. Thank you for supporting them!Life ElementsCity of SLOWoodsHumaneSocietyTin City DistilleryOriginal Music by Dan Curcio and Moonshiner CollectiveMoonshiner on Spotify HEREPlease Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the podcast, and learn more at AdamMontiel.com©2026 Up+Adam with Adam Montiel / LoBro Studios, All Rights Reserved.