Surf Town

PETER McCABE …   Newcastle's Peter McCabe was one of the early pioneers of Indonesian surfing. During those uncrowded Indo days, he surfed alongside some of surfing's  biggest names and colourful characters. Peter is credited with being the first to surf Padang, and alongside his good friend Jerry Lopez shared many epic, empty lined-ups at Uluwatu and G-Land. Many of these sessions were captured on film. Peter also established his name as one of Newcastle's premier board shapers, learning his trade under Sam Egan. In the 1970's, he established his own Tradewinds label where he is still shaping today. Peter also has an impressive contest record having placed second to Mark Richards in the Aussie Junior titles in 1974 - and followed up the next year with fifth place in the men's division. He has appeared in many surf movies such as Tubular Swells, Storm Riders and All Down the Line.  

CORKY CARROLL ... CORKY CARROLL is a name many older surfers will easily recognize. Accepted as one of the first professional surfers rising out of the Californian surf scene in the late 1960's and 70's on the back of his natural talent and contest successes. Winning three USA titles, third in the 1966 World Championships, competing in the 1968, 1970 and the 1972 World Championships, where he made it through to the finals. Being a talented goofy-footy and full of charisma, Corky featured prominently in the major surf magazines and movies of his era. And what movies they were: Endless Summer, Pacific Vibrations, and Five Summer Stories. Corky has lived a big life - a big surfing life (with a few deviations) that has supported him right through the decades. These days, he lives in Mexico, his heart still attuned to surfing, his eye never far from the ocean, and fulfillment found in painting. It was not just a pleasure, but fun for Keith to interview him on this episode of SURF TOWN. 

DAVID PARKES ...   Kneeboard maestro (six Australian Titles and one World Masters Title) and renowned kneeboard shaper (forty plus years experience) David Parkes is Keith's special guest on this episode of SURF TOWN. With a life immersed in kneeboarding, David's name is synonymous with Australian kneeboarding surfing - and shaping. After requiring the Friar Tuck brand in the 80's David diversified his shaping profile under his own name of Parkes. Both labels are popular, with demand still high. With a lifetime of experience in the water and shaping bay, David is well placed to speak with considerable depth about kneeboarding in Australia today - and internationally. Suffice to say that kneeboard surfing is alive and well. Its media profile may not be high, yet kneeboarders (affectionately called kneeos in Australia) are passionate surfers who are more than happy to slip under the radar. For some, it's surfing's best-kept secret.

JOHN ODGEN Part 2 ...Want to know about surfing's dark subculture in the late 60s and early 70's? Then John Odgen's new book STONE FREE is for you.    John joins Keith on SURF TOWN once again to talk about the book's story of Warren 'Abdul' Anderson's extraordinary life. It's a book described as an elegy for a vanished world - untamed, unrepentant and unforgettable. And it certainly is, as STONE FREE is much more than Abdul's story. It's a window into the free-wheeling, hippie/surfer lifestyle of the late 60's and early 70's. During those years some surfers ran a lot freer than others, choosing to supplement their surfing lives on tropical islands with daring, large-scale marijuana scams running into the tons - and worth millions of dollars. Warren was a kingpin of those scammers, but was ultimately betrayed, caught and jailed. As inmate 52260-098 he served twelve years behind bars sharing time with one of surfing's most infamous characters, Miki Dora. The book's arch is big, bold and compelling.... John's Australian east coast book tour, sharing stories about those early surfing days and selling the book are:1. Friday 23 January, NRMA Angourie Resort, YAMBA. 6pm2. Wednesday 28 January, Lennox Hotel, LENNOX HEAD. 7pm3. Thursday 29 January, Love St, COOLANGATTA. 6pm4. Friday 30 January, Crawford Gallery, BYRON BAY. 6pmSTONE FREE can be ordered online here: https://www.cyclopsproductions.com.au/shop/p/p77dl7789xdk2y3wqu18cfsp8hcjdf

THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV. Story # 9 ...   Vladimir has surfaced! But unfortunately, only very briefly. Keith confirms that while speaking with Vladimir recently, exchanging Christmas greetings, their conversation was abruptly cut off. Vladimir had just landed in London and called Keith while standing in line between immigration and customs. He sounded light-hearted - until. Suddenly, serious voices could be heard asking Mr Waxanov to step out of the line and to come with them. Then beep beep beep, the call went dead. In the short time that they chatted, Vladimir asked Keith to read "THE MISSING SURFBOARD," one of his favourites. As they say in coffee shops and bistros these days ... enjoy. 

2025 SURF TOWN WRAP   Whilst the listening base of SURF TOWN has grown this year, reaching 42 countries across 174 cities/locations, the real thrill for Keith has been the guests that he has had the privilege of interviewing over the last twelve months. Our sport has a deep culture and lifestyle that has defined so many people. To chat with some of them and to hear their stories and stoke really does highlight that. Listeners feel it too, tuning in from countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam - indeed from every continent. So a big thank you to all our guests and listeners across 2025. With more guests already lined up for 2026 it promises to be another exciting year. The best of the holiday season to all our SURF TOWN listeners and guests from the SURF TOWN team of Keith and Lee. See you all next year. 

MICK BERRIDGE ...   Not many Aussie surfers can say they have surfed in the deep, frigid north of the Atlantic Ocean. We’re mainly warm water creatures who mostly head into the Pacific or Indian Oceans for our tropical surf adventures - certainly not into the icy Norwegian coastline, that's for sure. And definitely not to surf amongst Orcas, floating ice in sub-zero double figures … and most definitely not in the dark of the night under northern lights. But SURF TOWN’S guest Mick Berridge had. And lived to tell his tales. 

DAVID BELL -      David is the producer and presenter of the surf-themed CRESCENT SWELLS surf radio. With over 174 shows, David digs deep to produce a weekly radio show featuring traditional surf guitar and drums, reggae, and indie/roots music heavily infused with the feel and sound of the beach lifestyle and music. CRESCENT SWELLS features many new artists that may not have the chance to be heard on mainstream radio. Whilst currently heard on three Australian east coast community radios, CRESCENT SWELLS can also be heard on the mixcloud streaming service found on the World Wide Web https://www.mixcloud.com/david-bell45/. It’s still early days for David’s surf music show, but with so much great music showcased, it’s not unreasonable to envision that surfers across our global surfing landscape will be tuning in en masse for an injection of audio surfing soul. Along with a discussion concerning how CRESCENT SWELLS started, David also shares how he discovered surfing and its impact on his life. 

BEAU YOUNG's tribute to JOHN PECK ...   Beau Young, 2000 & 2023 World Longboard champion, joins Keith to share his heartfelt tribute to John Peck, who passed away recently at the age of 81. John gained fame within the surfing world when photographed in the early 1960's surfing Pipeline crouching low and grabbing the rail of his surfboard. It remains one of the great iconic photos of surfing. Like many surfers of that era, John embraced the counterculture's emphasis on seeking a higher consciousness free from the bind of consumerism. Turning to psychedelics, a hippie/surfer lifestyle and involvement with The Brotherhood of Eternal Love to grow his awareness, led John into a loss of freedom - but ultimately into a much healthier and natural way of living. John's renewed lifestyle and his embrace of the longboard renaissance brought him back into prominence. Plus influence, as he shared his understanding of living and surfing on a higher plane beyond the material world. Beau held John in high regard, calling him a guru, yogi, guide, inspiration and friend.   

STEPHEN COONEY -... Stephen Cooney was introduced to the surfing world as Steve Cooney, the very young surfer who mesmerized us all in the seminal surf movie MORNING OF THE EARTH. Very few, if any of us, will ever forget the footage of his surfing those amazing Uluwatu waves. But of course, there is so much more to Stephen than that young grommet streaking across perfect Bali waves. Some of which is shared in his recently published book UNEARTHED - The story of one kid's surf Journey. And it's been quite a journey, that's for sure. Stephen started surfing early, surrounded by some of Sydney's greats, including Nat Young, David "Baddy" Treloar and his older brother Butch. After the release of MORNING OF THE EARTH, Stephen spent years working for TRACKS magazine and in publishing. Many photographs from those surfing years are featured in his memoir - hence the title UNEARTHED. The book can be purchased online via Cyclops Productions. See the link below:https://www.cyclopsproductions.com.au/shop/p/unearthed-the-story-of-one-kids-surf-journey

DEREK CRISP -   ... Not many surfers have been caught trying to hijack a submarine for a joyride. Nor be counted amongst the first surfboard manufacturers on New South Wales's Mid North Coast, open one of its first surf shops, along with running a marlin fishing charter boat in far north Queensland for Hollywood stars. Plus a career as a publican for one of central Queensland's largest pubs, but 90-year-old Derek Crisp can - and more. He only made about 50 boards back in the day, but that was all part of Derek's big life. While the many decades have now slowed and mellowed him, he's rightly remembered around Port Macquarie as the Godfather of local surfing. When surfboard riding took off in Port in the late 1960's and 70's Derek was right there making sure those first surfers had everything they needed to paddle out. 

JOHN BRASEN -... John is the editor and publisher of Australia's premier longboard magazine, PACIFIC LONGBOARDER. The long-standing magazine's byline is: For The Love of Surfing. Any conversation with John makes it evident that his life is one defined by the love of surfing - so choosing that byline for his magazine wouldn't have been that hard. And it is John's magazine, well, to be more exact, John's and his wife Sharon's. PACIFIC LONGBOARDER is not owned by a large publishing corporation that has a surfing magazine in its "lifestyle" portfolio. It is proudly the Brasen's magazine and it's proudly very much a surfing magazine - and that shows. Each edition is loaded with photos, profiles, news, articles and updates of what's happening in the longboard scene, pretty much globally.  Nowadays with so many women riding longboards they are well represented in PLB just as much as the men. John is a Woolgoolga guy from New South Wales' mid north coast, a small coastal town with solid local values that shine through in this episode. Just like his magazine.www.pacificlongboarder.com

THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV - Stories 7 & 8 ...Finally, some good news, Vladimir has surfaced - well, sort of. He has been talking with his sister, Olga, whom Keith has also been talking to, so the relayed message is that he is fine, but he does have to lay low for a while. Without revealing his location, all he would say is that he is in the "Stans" somewhere. Either Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan. Plus, he has been listening to the SURF TOWN interviews, which he loves - and the reading of his short stories, which of course he's stoked about. Keep going, Keithovich he relayed. So here is a double dose of his audacious tales, both laced with a decent dose of Aussie irreverence. Oh, and Olga is pregnant with twin boys who are going to be called Caesar and Napoleon. As you do ....

DEREK HYND -... Any sit-down chat with Derek Hynd is guaranteed to be thoughtful and original. No surprise that this interview was conducted under trees atop of a windy Byron Bay hill. Even his dog Bungle Bungle contributed - as did a stranger parking his car close by. But it's worth braving any cold winter wind to have the privilege of interviewing Derek. He is a former professional surfer, a surfboard shaper, writer, exponent of friction-free surfing, innovator, and one of surfing's great free thinkers. With a deep lifetime of surfing experience and insight, any interview with Derek is guaranteed to be fascinating. One recorded episode with Derek is never enough to mine his depths. Yet, in this longest SURF TOWN interview to date, Derek's words amounted to a very engaging conversation.https://youtu.be/IzrO_J37pQMhttps://youtu.be/g6g0Ai9ZEU0

JOHN OGDEN - ... This SURF TOWN episode's guest is John "Oggy" Odgen, a Sydney-based photographer, cinematographer, writer and the owner of Cyclops Press, which has published many high-quality books relating to Australian Indigenous and Aussie culture. John is a surfer so it's no surprise he has published a series of surf books, including Mike Ritter's and Jack McCoy's well-received surf book "Grajagan - surfing in the tiger's lair." He has also recently published Stephen Cooney's (of Morning of The Earth fame) memoir titled "Unearthed," and "Waterproof - a History of Australian Surf Photography." John's work is marked with an eye for detail and style relevant to the background and culture of his subject.  https://youtu.be/IzrO_J37pQMhttps://youtu.be/g6g0Ai9ZEU0

TERRY RICHARDSON ... - 1988 Australian Surfing Champion, World Masters Surfing champion, former ASP World number 7, two-time Aussie Masters champion, winner of two Bali Om contests, winner of the 1982 Waimea 5000 in Brazil and finalist of numerous international surfing contests, Terry Richardson chats with SURF TOWN about his rich surfing life and much more. Terry, also known as Richo, is a well-known surf shop owner and respected shaper. Emerging as a pre-eminent surfing talent from southern New South Wales, Terry deservedly stood among the greats of his era, including Michael Peterson, Shaun Thomson, Gerry Lopez, Simon Anderson, and Wayne Lynch, among others. A genuine good guy who has done much for Australian surfing. https://youtu.be/IzrO_J37pQMhttps://youtu.be/g6g0Ai9ZEU0

DISCUSSION TABLE 101 with Tim Baker. Topic: SURF CULTURE ...- Who better to have a free-flowing conversation about surf culture than the three-time winner of the Surfing Australia Hall of Fame Culture Award, Tim Baker? With decades of surf writing (ten books) and editorial work (two surfing magazines), Tim has an astute understanding of the surfing lifestyle and its vibrant culture. Tim not only shared contemporary observations but also spoke about surfing's ancient heritage. In the fast-moving global surfing dynamic of today, it was refreshing to hear the thoughts and insights of a wise observer. One who deeply loves surfing and all that it has given countless surfers across the years and the world.  

TIM BAKER... Tim is the renowned former editor of TRACKS and AUSTRALIAN SURFING LIFE magazines. He is also the author of ten books, which include biographies on Wayne Bartholomew, Mark Occhilupo, Mick Fanning and Simon Anderson. Tim has been bestowed three times with the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame Cultural Award for his print contribution to Australian Surfing. With vast experience in writing for newspapers, magazines and having his books published, Tim has lived a rich surfing life which he shares on this SURF TOWN episode. He attributes his successes to having made full use of his education and (with tongue in cheek) dining in Mexican restaurants. 

THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV - Story 6 ... That international surfer of mystery, Mr Waxanov, has failed his arranged rendezvous with Keith in St Petersburg (see SURF TOWN Instagram posts) adding more uncertainty to his whereabouts. In the meantime, this SURF TOWN episode features the reading of two short stories from his book "The Wayward Surfer," (available on Amazon) concerning Vladimir's bewilderment with many surfers' obsession with tattoos. As a clean-living Orthodox man from a Euroasian culture, he almost became fixated on this trend. And being a fast learner in the fine art of taking the piss he couldn't resist the urge to pen a couple of satircal stories about the ink fad. Hopefully, news of his exact movements will surface soon. 

ZION POY... 17 year old Noosa filmmaker Zion Poy comes into the SURF TOWN studio to talk about his film that has been accepted into this year's Noosa International Surf Film Festival. Titled, "WHERE THE GIRLS ARE," it's the story of Lynette Clemitson who started the all female boardriders club called the Kurranulla Wahines Boardriding Club in 1966 at Wanda Beach in Sydney's south. Now into her mature years Lynette has had a lifetime of surfing that continues to this day, including a win in the over 70's division of the 2022 Queensland Surf Festival. She is also a keen archivist of early woman's longboarding. Zion's film features in the Gromshorts category of the film festival. He also chats about his filmmaking, his influences and aspirations to become a successful filmmaker. 

JESCA MAAS -... Some people surf and that's about it. Some surf and do other stuff as well - and then there are those who don't surf ... or haven't surfed much. But they still tap into surfing for its energy and culture. Sometimes, these latter folk understand surfers better than themselves as surfers often stand too close to the flame. Jesca is one of those that has dabbled and looks in. A creative soul that loves surfing, and not only draws from it but contributes to it. On this SURF TOWN podcast she talks about how she became the director of Noosa International Surf Film Festival, which is now in its second year. Jesca talks a little about her life which seems to have led in a roundabout way to her naturally being the heart and soul of this surf film festival. She also shares some info about this year's (2025) films and side projects. A line-up of films that look to inspire and entertain. 

KIRRA MOLNAR -... Women's longboarding today, and indeed women's all-around surfing in general, is in full flower. Its presence is marked with a style that all so often resonates with the very essence of surfing. Displaying a grace and the pure joy of simply riding a wave, women's surfing is a breath of fresh air. No surprise that it's growing world-wide and giving rise to a formidable list of rising names leading the way. One such star is Noosa's Kirra Molnar who sits down for this SURF TOWN interview that was enthused with pure stoke. Kirra loves to compete with many successes including the following: Two Logger Aussie titles, one Aussie longboard title, multiple Queensland state titles, second in New Zealand's 2024 Single Fin Mingle, first in New Zealand's West End Wiggle, Queen of The Point in the Philippines and has joined the ranks of WSL longboard competitors. Also, Kirra currently serves as President of the Noosa World Surfing Reserve - and more. Yet what stands out the most about Kirra, far above her competition record, is that she is surf-soaked through and through. 

STUART CAMPBELL -... Stuart, a well-known Noosa surfboard shaper, is Keith's guest on this episode of SURF TOWN. Stuart is a much sought-after shaper due to his reputation for well-shaped, hand-crafted, high-performance shortboards under the CAMPBELL DESIGNED label. With a deep experience as a life-long surfer, shaper and thinker Stuart brings many ideas and innovative designs to his shaping. Together with his son Ryan, (both are ex-pro surfers) Stuart invented, developed and patented a unique stringer replacement system that comprises multiple staggered layers of carbon fibre built in a leaf spring pattern which is set into the top and bottom of each board prior to glassing. This development, called EXO-FLEX TECHNOLOGY, increases performance dramatically adding a rigidity to the board that eliminates any wobble when pushed hard into a turn or ridden in large, powerful surf. Though primarily enhancing performance the EXO-FLEX stringer system also significantly strengthens surfboards, thus reducing the risk of snapping when performing high-risk maneuvers. Stuart talks extensively about his surfing life and his EXO-FLEX breakthrough during this episode of SURF TOWN. 

THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV ... Story 5 - BYRON BAY PARENTS DISOWN SON FOR CHOOSING A MEDICAL CAREER OVER BECOMING A YOGA INSTRUCTOR.... The mystery of Vladimir's whereabouts deepens into a concern. Previously, Keith had Vladimir's girlfriend Tatianna Lovesalotavic in the studio, who whilst giving assurances that Vladimir would be okay (see Story 3 -THE MERMAID'S DREAM), has now herself gone to ground somewhere deep in the South Pacific. Most likely Tahiti. However, Keith has recently been chatting with Vladimir's sister Olga, so he and his SURF TOWN tech guy Lee, phone her up for some information. But they hit a dead end. In the meantime for this podcast, Keith reads another very short, satirical story from Vladimir's and his book "THE WAYWARD SURFER."  Available on Amazon. Here's the link to order a copy:https://www.amazon.com.au/Wayward-Surfer-Trilogy-Vols-Book-ebook/dp/B07586X5C8/ref=sr_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.feXjbz8zsWTq4-EYSbr8XcrUzQXUoE5-_vjhfMEye-bYFL28ECoNn5ZSO5ApnmpmtmJe0E293XyizJef8Z4UiA4e23zmQVOU1P5lAP420g_pfGzdCYp2D1_i5edZwmgn.IDFB6sTMdrzE5leTSk4iF9SbtjPcCkVAgJVtKZ5Lbjo&dib_tag=se&qid=1745232873&refinements=p_27%3AKeith+McMullen&s=digital-text&sr=1-4

DAVID "MEX" SUMPTER -... Many surfers grew up virtually right on the beach, making their surfing life almost inevitable. David, and his brother Rodney, started life in England well away from any surfing scene that might have drawn them in. However due to their parents deciding to move to Australia and set up home on Sydney's northern beach suburbs, well within easy reach of the surf, they too quickly found surfing as if pre-ordained for them. Also, David was right there watching the first wave of visiting Americans riding malibu surfboards rather than the 16ft long hollow boards the Aussies were surfing. A day when modern surfboard riding was born in Australia back in the 1960's. With his father Merv working with Bob Evans to bring some structure to surfing's soon-fast growth, rubbing shoulders with Midget Farrelly, Bob McTavish, Nat Young and other emerging 'stars,' working with Tracks magazine and making the surf film "On Any Morning," David has seen the vast popularity of Australian surfing explode from the inside over the decades. Now, well into his 80's, he's still stoked on surfing and getting amongst the waves whenever he can. 

THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV ... Story 4 - SEX WAX SAGA -   While the current whereabouts of Vladimir B. Waxanov remains a mystery and a concern, Keith decided to upload one of Vladimir's cheekiest short stories to keep his fun-loving spirit to the fore. As there is next to no Woke emphasis in Russia, especially Vladimir's traditional home village, he was shocked at how easily some of us Aussies are offended. Especially over what he considers to be something trivial and of no great importance. He had heard of an incident in a surf shop where a mother was angered over the surfboard wax brand name "Sex Wax", so he asked Keith to help him write up the story. During the collaboration, Vladimir lit up like a naughty schoolboy.

DISCUSSION TABLE 101. Topic:  John "JC" Charlton's favourite surfers.... JC mentioned, when he was in the studio previously, that he'd like to record an episode concerning his list of favourite surfers. So Keith invited him back to sit down for another session on SURF TOWN to discuss his list along with the question, "What is style?" - and a few other observations. It certainly was interesting. Of course, any such list is subjective. Most surfers can easily name their favourite surfers - which would swing wildly across the decades, the eras and the names. JC though has a keen eye for what is good surfing drawn from a wealth of experience as a lifetime surfer and a professional commentator on the wide world of surfing. So here he is ... JC Part 2.

JOHN 'JC' CHARLTON    JC doesn't need too big an introduction to Queensland surfers as he has been a familiar face talking about surfing on their TV screens for a very long time. But what they may not know is some of his rich back story. JC has been a surfboard maker, worked in the surfwear industry with Billabong, a radio surf reporter, chief reporter and editor of TV's ch 7 Coastalwatch in Queensland for 20 years and a surf commentator at Noosa's Festival of Surfing. With a long life of surfing behind him rubbing shoulders with some of our sport's greats, JC was a fascinating guest to interview on SURF TOWN. 

DIAN HADIANI... Phoning in from Bali, East Java local Dian Hadiani chats with Keith concerning her book, "The Chronicles of G'land" which focuses on Java's fabled surf spot Grajagan, known affectionately across the surfing world as G/land. With, the following introduction on her web page, "Bobby's Surf Camp; Behind the Legendary Tales - describes how feral surfers discovered this magical place ..." it promised to be an interesting interview. And it was. Covering the economic and environmental changes brought about with the ongoing presence of the surfers, Mike Boyum's bold initiative establishing the surf camp to the emergence of an unknown Aussie surfer named Barry Middleton who claims (with good reason) to be the one who "discovered" G/land. Dian's book is well-researched with revealing tales, some of which have sparked controversy. 

DISCUSSION TABLE 101. Topic: SURFING WORLD Magazine's 50 Most Interesting Surfers... Richard Wallace joins Keith in the studio to discuss SURFING WORLD'S lastest edition featuring their pick for surfing's fifty most interesting surfers. It's by no means definitive as there would be any number of people who could qualify. So who to include and who to exclude? It's a tough call. Still, SURFING WORLD bravely laid it down, and it is quite an impressive list. Certainly one open for discussion and one Richard, a long-time Noosa surfer, was happy to chat with Keith about - and more. Much was unpacked and plenty said for listeners to chew on. 

CHANNA SENARATNE - ... It's not every day you get to chat with a man who is a restauranteur, a chef, a commercial fisherman, a surf charter boat operator and skipper, a manager of a surf camp, overseer of surf holidays that gave something back to the island locals, an importer, an exporter and owner of a private catering service - and all the while surfing some of the world's best waves along the way. Keith's SURF TOWN guest, Channa Senaratne for this episode is and has done all of the above - and more. He has not only done much - but has seen much. Including the chance to surf alongside some of his Hawaiian surf heroes as he chartered them to some of Indonesia's most remote and perfect waves. As Keith holds a great deal of admiration and respect for Channa, it was a pleasure for Keith to interview him.

RICHARD von WILDEMANN -... It was a pleasure for Keith to welcome Richard onto SURF TOWN as his first international phone-in guest. Richard is an all-round waterman who has thrived on the wild beaches and coastline of South Africa. His story is a surprisingly similar one to the overwhelming majority of Australian surfers whose first introduction to the surf was via their family and the local Surf Life Saving movement. From Nippers (very junior Life Saving training and competition) to board-riding, to riding all manner of surf craft, to wave ski and open ocean ski paddling, Richard has done it all. Including the famed Hawaiian inter-island Molokai paddleboard race. What was also surprising, at least to Keith, was his connection to Keith's family and Australian surfing history. 

JOHN FINLAY - NOOSA FESTIVAL OF SURFING ...- John Finlay, Chairman of Noosa's Festival of Surfing, certainly has an unusual story concerning how he came to pick up the running of this premier surfing event. It all started when he semi-retired to the Sunshine Coast an hour's drive south of Noosa. Semi-retirement generally means you reduce your busy life with the view to gradually fade out of full-time work. However, it didn't work out that way for John. An opportunity came along that was too good to refuse. Famous last words, indeed. After enjoying a surfing holiday with World Surfaris, John decided to buy half the business and two and a half years later he purchased the other half. As if that wasn't enough to "ruin" your retirement plans, John took over the running of Noosa's Festival of Surfing - and The Byron Bay Surf Festival! There's a lot of logistics overseeing all that, no wonder he's The Chairman, and an interesting guest on Surf Town discussing this year's Noosa Festival of Surfing. https://www.noosafestivalofsurfing.comworldsurfaris.com

DAMIEN KING -... Three-time World Bodyboarding Champion Damien King had an unusual introduction to surfing. It's quite common for surfing champions to grow up close to the beach and thrive amongst mates who all surfed and hung together at their local surf spot. But not Damien (known far and wide as "Kingy"). Sure he eventually found his place in the local line-up, but even then he forged a different path marked with fierce, competitive determination to be the best he could be. Fuelled by deep personal motivation Kingy went on to win the World Bodyboarding Championship in 2004, 2005 and then the World Drop Knee (bodyboarding) Championship in 2011. His competitiveness and talent took him to the top of international bodyboarding where he established himself as a global superstar of the sport. Sponsorships, Damien King DVD's and magazine coverage soon followed. As did the broadening of his surfing as Kingy just loved riding waves - surfboards, body boards, it didn't matter. Just as long as he was out there in the line-up.

THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV ... Story 3 - THE MERMAID'S DREAM... A few friends had contacted Keith stating they weren't so sure about this Vladimir Boris Waxanov bloke. Geopolitics aside, they express skepticism as to his actual existence. And then, right on cue, as if Vladimir willed it into being, his girlfriend Tatianna Lovesalotavic paid Keith a visit. Which, meant of course, he had a chance to speak with her on this SURF TOWN episode featuring another of Vladimir's stories. Being the gentleman that he is Keith wanted Tatianna to choose which particular short story from Vladimir's book, "The Wayward Surfer" she'd like him to read. Not surprising, as Tatianna is herself a classy lady, she nominated, "The Mermaid's Dream," - one of the more sensitive tales. It was a pleasure for Keith to oblige her.

PHIL JARRATT - Part 2... One interview with Phil Jarratt left this interviewer with a desire to hear more of his wide-ranging surfing life and stories. Certain that others would as well I pressed Phil for another round. Graciously he came into the studio for a second interview, which proved to be every bit as fascinating as his first one. How could it not be? One could easily pick a single period of his life - say, for example, his four-year stint as editor of Tracks magazine and there would likely be enough stories for quite a few interviews. Well, a few did come tumbling out but discretion is indeed the better part of valour - and as one of the wise elders of our surfing tribe, Phil was a gentleman to the tee. Besides, who needs to embellish when you have lived, seen, heard and done it all? 

PHIL JARRATT - Part 1... Phil Jarratt has probably lived the surfing life as fully and richly as humanly possible. With a working life as an author, a journalist, a publisher, surf shop owner and filmmaker - all inspired by surfing, he still managed to keep riding waves throughout his decades - and the world. Reading his CV alone almost makes you tired ... and he's still going! After 50 years of experience in international and Australian media encompassing a stint as editor of Tracks magazine, associate editor of Surfer, publisher and editor of the Australian Surfers Journal, having served on the executive ranks of Quiksilver and Rip Curl and written 40 books, Phil is currently (2024) writing another surf related book. And, paddling out as much as he can at his local breaks around Noosa. That's a lot of living, working and surfing to draw from when interviewed. Oh, and he's a great rancounteur. 

Peter Hudson... With three Australian shortboard and three Australian longboard titles, three New South Wales State shortboard and six New South Wales State longboard titles, a twenty-five-year surf shop ownership, a decades-long surfboard coaching and surf school record behind him, it's fair to say that Peter (Huddo) Hudson has lived a life soaked with surfing. Growing up virtually right on the beach where he discovered a discarded surfboard at the age of nine certainly got him off to a good start that's for sure. And once he started Peter never looked back. Like so many countless others across the globe, he was hooked right from the first wave he rode towards the beach. With such a rich surf-related life behind him, Peter certainly is an interesting guest on this Surf Town episode.  

THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR  BORIS WAXANOV... Story 2 - CHINESE BUSINESSMAN PROPOSES ALTERNATE WORLD PROFESSIONAL SURFING WAVE POOL CIRCUIT TARGETING INDIA, AFRICA, CHINA AND RUSSIA ...The title says it all. Somewhat surprising as the title may be, so are the comments from national surfing bodies revealed in this unusual tale. But then again Vladimir does get around, certainly well off the beaten surfing track and mixes with some interesting people. And some very surprising people too it must be said. Currently, it's spoken in some circles that he plans to visit, or already has, North Korea to introduce his wave-pool surfing. Well good luck to him, why not? No doubt it will do the place good if he succeeds. But then again he may not - for North Korea does have a coastline, so who knows what quality of surf may be up there.

CHAD WHATLEY... Chad Whatley represents a new breed of young surf entrepreneurs. There was a day when surf shops only sold surfboards that were constructed on the premises. You'd walked in to be greeted with the air thick with resin fumes. Maybe a couple of board shorts and t/shirts on a rack to the side. These days you walk into a surf shop and be overwhelmed with the racks and racks of clothes brandishing all sorts of trending labels. With the surfboards stacked up at the back or along the side. Chad's surfboard business is different. He's a surfboard broker. His premises is full of nothing but rows and rows of surfboards - both new, second-hand and all shapes and models. If you want to sell your board, he'll move it for you - if you want to buy a board, he'll sell you one.That's it. No clothes, no resin fumes - just boards, boards and more boards. Probably it's his dealing with such a wide variety of surfboards that gives Chad such a broad outlook on surfing. He's surf through and through having traveled far and wide with some good stories. One surprise in the interview was his surf idol, as Chad is from a much younger generation. If you are in Port Macquarie and passing through check him out. He's Surfboardbroker Australia on Insta, F/book and the web.

BOBBY ATKINS - Part Two... Bobby Atkins is back in the studio to recount more of his surfing life. A lot is personal about his surfboards, his surfing but along the way he tells of many characters who have added so much to Noosa's rich surfing history. Surprisingly, but then again maybe not so much, Bobby never surfed shortboards. Always mals, well longboards for you Americans. Trends never do mean much to real originals. Towards the end of this podcast some of Bobby's Noosa stories drifted to the action on land with one or two raising a few eyebrows - to say the least. It's been a full life for Bobby yet with quite-a-ways still to go. At the time of recording he is two months shy of 80 - and still surfing. On a mal, of course.

BOBBY ATKINS - Part One ... Bobby (Bobby Barrel or Bobby Beach - depending on who you talk to) Atkins is a unique Noosa original. Really .. as he was amongst the very first to surf the fabulous points of Noosa back in the 1960's. With only a few years of surfing under his belt he arrived in Noosa on that first day to see the surf at Noosa's First Point and National Park peeling perfectly towards shore and not a sole out surfing. It was high summer with glorious sub-tropical weather caressing sparkling blue water under an equally sparkling blue sky. Within days he not only scored perfect waves but a job and free accommodation. He thought he'd died and gone to heaven. No wonder he has never left. Oh, he's been here and there a bit, but traveling was not his thing - Noosa was. Having been a constant local for so many decades he has plenty to share. Names of the original crew pop up in his tales along with the more famous who have mainly come and gone. He's seen it all.

THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV ... Story 1 - THE BALLARD OF OWEN ROBERTS ... Once us Aussies discovered the surf in Bali we invaded. There was hardly a beach anywhere along its coast, and beyond, where you couldn't swing a cat without hitting half a dozen Australian surfers at any given time. Now it's the turn of the Russians. Yes, they have finally come - although not armed with Kalashnikovas AK-47s but surfboards. Some every bit as surf-obsessed as any full-on charger wherever they may have come from. Some too are best described as hard-core mavericks who have devoted their whole lives to nothing but surfing. Living feral or otherwise. Vladimir Boris Waxanov is one such individual. Quite a character with a sharp mind, sharp eye and a drive to raise a laugh as much as possible. Meeting him forged an unlikely friendship and outlet for his surf tales. 

DANE WILSON - Part two... Dane has more surf stories that we can fit into a thirty-five-minute podcast. Yet somehow he manages to tell quite a few, pass some interesting observations of surfing and surfboards, plus recount some of his family's, and his own, adventures. Any one of those topics, with Dane's re-telling, could have easily stretched out into many, many minutes. Probably longer. With a life deeply rich in surfing the young Cronulla charger is still well and truly alive in Dane. Albeit somewhat tempered with maturity but definitely not dampened. If anything the maturity adds a deeper perspective.

DANE WILSON - Part one... Cronulla boy Dane was born into a surfing family with deep roots in the local surf scene and industry. As long as he can remember Dane's father has always made surfboards. When Floyd Smith, partner of the famed American surfboard brand Gordon and Smith, set up a surfboard factory in Cronulla in 1965 it wasn't too long before his father worked there. The coastline around Cronulla is wave-rich with slabs, beach breaks and rock-bottom coves - a stretch of beaches that has nurtured a long lineage of chargers. Dane is one of them. Yet while an accomplished shortboarder Dane was drawn to longboards. How could he not with such a background plus falling under the influence of the legendary surf photographer Jack Eden? While never straying too far from his family roots, Dane soon forged his own path and reputation as an accomplished young longboarder.

MIKE DAVIS Part 2Part 2 sees Mike in the studio to share a free-ranging conversation about his surfing life. He talks of a lap-over between California and Australia which is quite interesting - particularly from an American expat who has lived here for nigh on fifty years. And what it was like in the early days being an American (Seppo) making his way along the Australian East Coast into the Aussie surfing world, the people he met and the life he made for himself here in Oz. 

MIKE DAVIS - Part 1Mike is one of the first Californian surfers to immigrate to Australia in the 1970s, arriving about the same time as fellow American surfers Bob Cooper and Rusty Miller. It didn't take long before Mike established himself in the Australian surf scene with his enthusiasm for surfing and working within the surf industry along Australia's east coast. Mike shaped surfboards for Nat Young, Bob Cooper, John Skipp and many others. Mike also ran his surf shop in Kiama, situated on the south coast of New South Wales, for twenty-five years. Today Mike's surfing passion still burns along with his other passion of writing books. Mainly surf-related of course - and can be found at mikedavispointsurfer.com  Oh, and he's still shaping surfboards under his label "Mike Davis Designs."

Peter White Part 2Picking up from where he finished last time, Peter is back in the studio to talk more about his surfing life - particularly as a surfboard shaper. With such vast experience across the globe from the east coast of Australia to Asia, USA, Europe and beyond Peter drops some good stories. Particularly, the one about Spain. His is a very full life of shaping surfboards and one that our short time doesn't fully do justice to. But such is its depth, that what Peter does share, is well worth listening to. Along the way, Peter speaks very well of other people. Thus leaving one to think - Classic Malibus shaped by a classic guy.

PETER WHITE – Part 1Our Surf Town guest today is Peter White. Peter is the Noosa-based, internationally respected shaper and owner of Classic Malibu. And indeed they are, as so many of Peter’s beautifully crafted longboards are to be found all around the world ridden by countless surfers who treasure them. They are surfboards for all surfers of all levels right up to top competitors in Australia and overseas – including professionals. Peter was almost born on the beach and with an international life infused with surfing this episode tells us more about the man. For more information on Peter's longboards please visit classicmalibu.com