Surf Splendor

295 - Matt Warshaw

31 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Father, husband, surf historian, Matt Warshaw chats about how to nurse the bruising of online commenters, the virtues of quitting surfing, pays tribut...

294 - Post Script: Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal

29 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to Post-Script, a quick overview of each event on the WSL championship tour. Today, a review of the off season and recap of the Meo Rip C...

293 - Derek Rielly

23 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

BeachGrit co-founder, writer, and general surf influencer through his many roles in media, Derek Rielly confesses to accidental overachievement, refle...

292 - Drew Kampion

16 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In an apple orchard on an island thirty miles north of Seattle and eight years removed from his last surf is where I found Drew Kampion. Author of six...

291 - Bert Burger

09 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Industrious surfboard shaper from Western Australia, Sunova Surfboard's Bert Burger joins us to extol the virtues of alternative materials, detail his...

290 - Sal Masekela

01 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sal Masekela is a professional broadcaster, television host, musician & television producer. In today’s episode we discuss his unique origin story, ...

289 - Sid Abbruzzi: Water Brothers

25 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Punk-flavored surfer, skateboarder, entrepreneur, and activist, from Newport, Rhode Island, often described as "the Godfather of New England surfing",...

288 - Sunset Surfboards: Ed Wright and Brian Fredrickson

19 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ed Wright and Brian Fredrickson shares stories from 60 years of business, mentoring some of the industry’s most iconic board builders, and how to co...

287 - Channel Bottoms: Dale Wilson

11 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Channel bottom guru, shaper and laminator Dale Wilson chats with David to discuss his early introduction to Allen Byrne and the life altering epiphany...

286 - Hansen Surfboards: Josh Hansen

05 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Josh Hansen is a second generation heir to Hansen Surfboards. Founded by Don Hansen in 1961, Josh has helped usher Hansen from a local surf retailer i...

285 - Post-Script: Tahiti Pro

29 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to Post-Script, a quick overview of each event on the WSL championship tour. Today, a review of the off season and recap of the Tahiti Pr...

284 - Harbour Surfboards: Robert Howson

21 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Beginning as a team rider for Rich Harbour in 1980, Robert Howson has helped transition Harbour from a surfboard manufacturing facility into a thrivin...

283 - The Dazzling Blue: Jamie Brisick and William Finnegan

14 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s show is a conversation between Jamie Brisick and Pulitzer Prize winning author William Finnegan. The two chat about Brisick’s latest book,...

282 - Bing Copeland

07 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bing Copeland started Bing Surfboards in 1959.  After sharing his first wave with Greg Noll and under the tutelage of Dale Velzy, Bing became one of ...

281 – Martin Daly

01 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Captain of the Indies Trader Fleet and founder of the Beran Island Resort, Martin Daly joins us to chat about his greatest finds as a treasure diver, ...

280 – The Frog House: TK Brimer

25 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

TK Brimer, owner of the iconic Newport Beach surf shop The Froghouse, joins us to talk about surf retail’s importance to surf culture. He discusses ...

279 – Post-Script: Corona Open JBay

21 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to Post-Script, a quick overview of each event on the WSL championship tour. Today, a review of the off season and recap of the Corona Op...

278 – And Two If By Sea

17 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with filmmaker Justin Purser, CJ Hobgood, and Damien Hobgood about their new documentary that traces the Hobgood’s early life, profes...

277 – Jason Stevenson: JS Industries

10 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Stevenson sits near the top of the heap of shortboard surfboard manufactures worldwide. Parko’s ridden JS nearly his entire career, Julian and...

276 – Chris ‘Gally’ Stone: US Olympic Head Coach

03 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Stone is taking time off from traveling as Jordy Smith’s coach to fulfill this patriotic opportunity to head coach the US Olympic team. In tod...

275 – Post-Script: Oi Rio Pro 2019

26 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to Post-Script, a quick overview of each event on the WSL championship tour. Today, a review of the off season and recap of the Oi Rio Pr...

274 – On The Edge Of A Dream

19 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode David chats with Andrew Kidman and Ellis Ericson about their new film “On The Edge Of A Dream”. The film documents five years...

273 – Nathan Fletcher & Michael Oblowitz: Heavy Water

10 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Heavy Water is Michael Oblowitz’s new film centered around Nathan Fletcher’s most significant traumas and his most meaningful accomplishments. In ...

272 – Justin Jay: HI1K

05 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Former personal photographer to Sean “Puffy” Combs, Justin Jay has spent the past 10 years traveling from NYC to the North Shore in December to do...

271 – Post-Script: Margaret River Pro

05 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to Post-Script, a quick overview of each event on the WSL championship tour. Today, a review of the off season and recap of the Maragaret...

270 – Tony Roberts

30 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Innovative photographer and filmmaker Tony Roberts packed his boards and camera gear and drove from Santa Cruz, California to Santa Cruz, Costa Rica 3...

269 – Post-Script: Corona Bali Protected

25 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to Post-Script, a quick overview of each event on the WSL championship tour. Today, a review of the off season and recap of the Corona Ba...

268 – Maurice Cole: Part 2

16 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The enigmatic MC returns to discuss the aftermath from his first podcast appearance, Sunny Garcia, the concept of “sustainability” in surfboards, ...

267 – Dick Van Straalen

08 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Iconic Queensland shaper Dick Van Straalen shares his origin story and details how living with dyslexia has informed his surfing and surfboard buildin...

266 – Post Script: Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

29 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to Post Script, a quick overview of each event on the WSL championship tour. Today, a review of the off season and recap of the Rip Curl ...

265 – Kinaroad’s Shaping Robot

26 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

David visits the Gold Coast of Australia to chat with Scott Fenton of Kinaroad to learn about their shaping robot and their plans to fortify domestic ...

264 – Bruce Ragan of Quiet Flight Surfboards

19 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

After a three year walkabout in his mid twenties, Quiet Flight’s lead shaper Bruce Ragan returned to shaping with a revitalized passion that has fue...

263 – NYC Artist Richard Phillips

11 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

NYC painter Richard Phillips found surfing later in life. He restructured his life to accommodate his newfound obsession and in the last two decades s...

262 – Post Script: Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast

08 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to Post Script, a quick overview of each event on the WSL championship tour. Today, a review of the off season and recap of the Quiksilve...

261 – Darren Handley

04 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode Darren Handley of DHD Surfboards details his first encounters with Stephanie Gilmore and Mick Fanning, he explains the challenges...

260 – Shark Attack Survivor: Brett Connellan

28 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

At the age of 22, Brett Connellan was surfing his local beach when he suffered the intense impact from the jaws of a Great White shark. Through the at...

259 – Nick Carroll and Donald Brink

23 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Australian surf writer Nick Carroll inquires about all things asymmetry with South African board builder Donald Brink. Nick’s been quietly surveying...

258 – Ricky Carroll

17 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Florida board builder Ricky Carroll illuminates the pioneers of Brevard County whom paved his path while sharing his origin story, his tribulations as...

257 – Sean Doherty

11 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Australian writer and surf media mainstay Sean Doherty has become the unintentional tip of the spear in a public fight against a giant oil company. In...

256 – Charles Mencel: Shaper and English Professor

27 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

English professor and surfboard shaper Charles Mencel talks about rescuing drunken tourists from pounding surf at the Jersey shore, crafting literary-...

255 – Josh Kerr

21 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Josh Kerr launched on to the world scene with two Air Show World Championships before the age of 20. After suffering a severe leg break he reset and f...

254 – Torren Martyn and Ishka Folkwell

14 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In the new film, “Thank You, Mother”, Ishka Folkwell showcases Torren Martyn’s surfing on Simon Jones boards to craft an abstract narrative wh...

253 – Grain Surfboards: Mike LaVecchia

07 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode we chat with Grain Surfboards co-founder Mike LaVecchia. Based in York, Maine, Grain builders hollow, framed, locally sourced woo...

Bonus – 252 – Building Brand Awareness Through Podcasting

26 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded at Surf Expo 2019, David Lee Scales and Chas Smith discuss new opportunities for brands to communicate their messaging through podcasting and...

251 – BoardPorn

23 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Founder of one of surfing’s most famous social media profiles BoardPorn, Ron Shine discusses his start as an anonymous surfboard hoarder, the respon...

250 – Switchfoot

16 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

San Diego band of surfers “Switchfoot” has sold millions of albums and won a Grammy over the past 20 years. I chatted with them on the eve of the ...

249 – Derek Hynd

03 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode Derek Hynd recounts his professional history and offers lessons for how surfing can learn past mistakes. He tells the vivid detai...

248 – Maurice Cole

27 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode Maurice Cole contemplates recent tragedy and candidly laments compromising his integrity to chase business goals. He shares the s...

247 – Momentum Generation director Michael Zimbalist

11 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Filmmaker Michael Zimbalist talks about the process and journey to make Momentum Generation. From 9 hour interviews with Kelly Slater, which character...

246 – Mike Rowe: Hooked Surfboards

05 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

? The Outer Banks are barrier islands off the coast of the US state of North Carolina, separating the Atlantic Ocean from the mainland. They are a 200...

245 – Donald Brink

29 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Surfboard shaper Donald Brink has been a recurring guest on this show. Donny sustained a significant injury while surfing recently and it’s inspired...

244 – Jamie Brisick

23 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode was recorded in the home of Jamie Brisick, which has since been vanquished by the Malibu fires. We’re replaying this episode in ho...

243 – Jeff Timpone

15 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Jeff Timpone has been building surfboards for 50 years. Not only is he one of the world’s most experienced shapers, he’s also on the cutting edge ...

242 – Matt Meola

09 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Meola is among the top aerialist in the world. He surfs Jaws. He’s a commercial fisherman and recreational bow hunter. He went to high-school w...

241 – On Boards with Dave Parmenter and Ryan Martz: Part Four

24 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In part four of On Boards Ryan Martz explains the health and environmental concerns of glassing surfboards and breaks down wages for surfboard laborer...

240 – On Boards with Dave Parmenter (& Fletch): Part Three

17 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

? In part three of On Boards, we meet master laminator Doug Fletcher (aka Fletch). Last week Dave Parmenter began to explain what happens after a surf...

239 – On Boards with Dave Parmenter: Part Two

10 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In part two of On Boards, Dave Parmenter walks us through the process of ordering a surfboard. He then illuminates some of the health and environmenta...

238 – On Boards with Dave Parmenter: Part One

03 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Introducing part one of On Boards with Dave Parmenter. This conversation began when Parmenter sent me an email after listening to my episode with Greg...

003 – Wave Pools: A Tidal Surge

19 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to back to Creators & Innovators presented by Vissla. Each month we seek to distill the character traits, motivations, and the daily rituals o...

237 – Post Script: Surf Ranch Pro & Space

14 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to Post Script, a quick concise overview of each event on the WSL championship tour. Today, a recap of the Surf Ranch Pro and review John...

236 – Off Script, Day 4: Hurley Surf Ranch Pro

09 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Off Script presented by Hurley; behind the scenes at the Surf Ranch Pro (also) presented by Hurley. Today we catch insights from finalist S...

235 – Off Script, Day 3: Hurley Surf Ranch Pro

09 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Off Script presented by Hurley; behind the scenes conversations with the athletes, coaches, and WSL team at the Surf Ranch Pro (also) prese...

234 – Off Script, Day 2: Hurley Surf Ranch Pro

07 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Off Script presented by Hurley; behind the scenes conversations with the athletes, coaches, and WSL team at the Surf Ranch Pro (also) prese...

233 – Off Script, Day 1: Hurley Surf Ranch Pro

07 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Off Script presented by Hurley; behind the scenes conversations with the athletes, coaches, and WSL team at the Surf Ranch Pro (also) prese...

232 – Britt Merrick

29 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Lead designer at Channel Islands Surfboards, lead pastor at Reality family of churches, Britt Merrick talks about his role shaping boards for World To...

231 – Mick Fanning

23 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Mick Fanning is equally well-known for his 3 world titles as he is for overcoming adversity. He lost a brother at age 16, recovered from a potentially...

230 – 5 Minute Recap: Tahiti Pro

22 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to the 5 Minute Recap. A quick concise overview of each event on the WSL championship tour. Today, a recap of the Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o....

229 – How To: Grovel

15 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode is an analysis of the history and design of the Groveler surfboard. Experts enlisted herein are Britt Merrick of Channel Islands Sur...

228 – Christine Brailsford Caro of Furrow Surfcraft

08 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to Creators & Innovators, where we seek to distill the character traits, motivations, and the daily rituals of creatives in hopes of deve...

227 – 5 Minute Recap: Vans US Open of Surfing

06 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to the 5 Minute Recap. A quick concise overview of each event on the WSL championship tour. Today, a recap of the Vans US Open of Surfing...

226 – Almonds Surfboards: Dave Allee

01 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

10 years ago, at the age of 22, Dave Allee signed the lease to a retail space on Newport Blvd. He partnered with surfboard shaper Griffin Neumann-Kyle...

225 – Introducing Creators & Innovators

11 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to Creators & Innovators. Each month we’ll seek to distill the character traits, motivations, and the daily rituals of creatives in hopes of...

224 – 5 Minute Recap: Corona Open J-Bay

06 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to the 5 Minute Recap. A quick, concise overview of each event on the WSL championship tour. Today, a recap of the Corona Open J-Bay. Sup...

224 – Aaron James, PhD: Surfing with Sartre

21 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode is with Dr. Aaron James. A Harvard PhD, professor and chair of philosophy at UC Irvine, James is a lifelong surfer and the author of...

223 – Alex Gray

14 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

How does one make a living as a professional free surfer today? Alex Gray unpacks the tribulations and rewards of chasing swell around the world. Do p...

222 – Dane Gudauskas Unpacks After Fiji

13 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Whilst we watched these massive waves barreling on our tiny hand held screens around the world, the warrior wrestled his broken heart over the ledge a...

221 – Donald Brink: Swell With My Soul

07 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Brink is a lead proponent of asymmetrical surfboard design. A designer since youth, Donald paints, makes plywood fins, and as a surfboard shape...

220 – 5 Minute Recap: Corona Bali Protected

04 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to the 5 Minute Recap. A quick concise overview of each event on the WSL championship tour. Today, a recap of the Corona Bali Pro-tected....

219 – Dave Prodan of the WSL

01 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dave Prodan of the WSL weighs-in on the biggest pro surf headlines from this first half of 2018; the reasons behind the Margaret River cancellation, w...

218 – Travis Reynolds

25 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Santa Cruz board builder Travis Reynolds is the 2018 winner of the Icons of Foam shaping competition. In today’s episode Travis opens up about the p...

217 – 5 Minute Recap: Oi Rio Pro

20 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to the 5 Minute Recap. A quick concise overview of each event on the WSL championship tour. Today, a recap of the Oi Rio Pro. Supported b...

216 – David Carson

03 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Apple called him “a pioneer with profound impact” and Newsweek magazine said he “changed the public face of graphic design”. In 1991 David Car...

215 – Greg Martz of The Waterman’s Guild

26 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Greg Martz founded The Waterman’s Guild in 1983. In the past 35 years it’s become renowned as one of the world’s leading surfboard glass shops; ...

019 – The Grit! April 23, 2018

24 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Today Chas and David discuss The Year of The Snake and why Jake Patterson is the most disruptive coach in surfing, they critique current hair styles t...

214 – 5 Minute Recap: Margaret River Pro

18 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Introducing the 5 minute contest recap. All the important details (sans the lulls between sets) that transpired during the 2018 Margaret River Pro. Fi...

213 – Roger Hinds and the State of Board Building

13 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Roger Hinds’ 40 year mantra, “Built by One Pair of Hands” was challenged last week when his glass shop closed. In today’s episode we discuss ...

212 – 5 Minute Recap: Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach

05 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Introducing the 5 minute contest recap. Today we’ll bring you all the important details (sans the lulls between sets) that transpired during the 201...

211 – Josh Hall

04 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s conversation is with San Diego surfboard shaper Josh Hall. Josh discusses starting his career at the very bottom (ding repair), studying Spa...

210 – WSL Commentator Gigs Celliers

22 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode is with 4-time kneeboard world champion and WSL commentator Gigs Cellier. Gigs shares stories from his life in South Africa, witnes...

209 – Josh Martin

14 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode we catch up with surfboard shaper Josh Martin. Josh is carrying on a family legacy of shaping, started by his father Terry Martin...

208 – David on Swell Season and Rob Colby of Need Essentials

07 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, David is in the hot seat. Tyler Breuer from Swell Season was visiting from NYC and took the lead position to interview David abo...

Get The Grit! on it’s own podcast feed!

05 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Grit! with Chas Smith is now exclusively available on it’s own podcast feed. Pull up your app, search “The Grit” and click subscribe so tha...

207 – Dave Prodan from the World Surf League

01 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Dave Prodan is the SVP of Global Brand Identity for the World Surf League. He’s been with the organization since 2005 and has evolved through variou...

015 – The Grit! February 19, 2018

19 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s salacious episode of The Grit!, Chas and David discuss Ashton’s police report and the fallout involved with sending a Sheriff to the Su...

205 – Superwolf

14 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode is with master laminator Alex “Superwolf” Villalobos. Superwolf laminates for Ryan Burch, Joel Tudor, Jeff McCallum, and is well...

014 – The Grit! February 5, 2018

05 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode of The Grit! Chas and David reflect on #DebateGate and ponder the fallacy of bad publicity. They also discuss their experiences a...

203 – Surf Ranch with Jamie Brisick & Matt Warshaw

01 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Well, the secret is out. On November 21st, 2017 I surfed Kelly’s Surf Ranch with 14 friends and members of surf media. In today’s episode I recap ...

202 – Clark Little

29 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode we wax on with superstar photographer, Clark Little. Clark shares his origin story, explains why he gave up surfing, details how ...

201 – Manny Caro

17 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode we chat with surfboard shaper Manny Caro. Manny shares his origin story, how nature informs his surfboard design theory, formativ...

013 – Debate: Surf Media, Chas vs. Ashton

12 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode is a heated debate between surf media’s Ashton Goggans from Stab Magazine and Chas Smith from BeachGrit. Topics range from the pro...