Oz Longboarding Podcast: Recent Episodes
Sean McKeown
Everything longboarding in Australia. Events, contests, board design, sponsors, who's hot, lifestyle, local news & opinions with regular panel of Jason 'Weeksy' Weeks, Matt 'the Waxhead' Chojnacki, Kirra Molnar, Big Sean McKeown, Nathan Rivalland & guests
How does a pommy sailor end up being mates with some of the world's best surfers? This WA photographer has been involved with the ocean, through his work in the defence force, his love of photography, and his enjoyment of catching waves, especially on soft tops. This week we are going to find out a lot more about Terry and how hard it is to make Weeksey look good in film.
Beau Young Father, surfer, shaper, singer and songwriter.
Beau’s success as a professional surfer earned him the highest status in being crowned the ASP World Longboard Champion in 2000 and again in 2003, defeating Joel Tudor on both occasions in the final. He then retired from competition and pursued a successful music career. His brother, Bryce Young, is also a professional longboarder and his sisters Nava and Naomi are also notable surfers
Outside of making surfboards I also love writing and recording music. It’s been so special being back in the recording studio. Good friend @samrogerss offered to make a music video to go hand in hand with my title track ‘You’
Dad Eddie is easily recognisable by the big, big, big Afro he sports, It is so big it makes Jodie jealous. The first time I saw the family, Dad Eddie had what I first though was a backpack on, sharing some of the smaller waves with Luana and Hosea. On closer inspection I saw that it was not a backpack, rather it was a toddler hanging on around dads neck. It was the Nylah and she was so small I didn’t think she would even be old enough to be walking.
Now members of the Burleigh Longboard Club, the family travels along the east coast catching waves, turning heads, spreading the aloha spirit and sharing the stoke.
Fresh from competing at the Kirra Longboard Klassic where Hosea made the final of the U18 Boys an the Kirra Locals, while Luana who also made the finals of the Kirra Locals, the U 18 Girls and the Women’s Open and along with younger sister Nylah they all fronted for the U12 exhibition.
Joining us will be the newly crowned Australian Champion, Declan Wyton, just back from the US Open and hopefully some of the other newly crowned Australian Champions.
The Table of Knowledge Boardriders Club has been operating since 2007. The Club conducts monthly BBQ’s (3rd Thursday every month except Dec. & Jan.) All monies made from BBQ’s and other events go to charities, specifically charities looking after children with cancer. Over the years we have donated to Kids with Cancer, Paradise Kids and other worthy charities.
Club members have donated almost all of what we are offering at our Rainbow Bay auction and the generosity from within our Table “Family” is heart warming. We welcome your warmth at our auction. Starting from 8:30am the BBQ will be fired up for our famous bacon/sausage/egg or vege-burger sandwiches. We’ll have soft drinks on ice. There will be various live musicians. The auction shall begin at 9:30am. Please arrive earlier to view the items on offer. Vintage Board Collectors will display beautiful and rare surfcraft for your appreciation and interest. We can promise you a very entertaining day. We’ll also offer surfing related t-shirts, Hawaiian shirts and caps.
Winning contests in Hawaii, three 5th place finishes at the Toes On The Nose in Costa Rica, (The unofficial World Titles for a number of years), Mel has just returned from competing in the 2022 Australian Indigenous Titles, finishing 3rd behind our very own Jodie Barsby.
The man behind the microphone at so many contests, the host of the Oz Longboarding Podcast, Hueys Choice rep, Co-founder Head Dip Appreciation Society, Solitude surfer, Board collector.
The 1st leg of the revamped WLT will be done and dusted and we will have a wrap up from some of the competitors.
Episode 2022-5
Who is Jason Weeks? The man behind the microphone at so many contests, the host of the Oz Longboarding Podcast, Hueys Choice rep, Co-founder Head Dip Appreciation Society, Solitude surfer, Board collector.
Episode 2022-4 The new WSL World Longboard Tour and what it means for the Australian contenders.
Episode 2022-3
Dave Wilson a true gentleman and pioneer of the local surfing industry and board riding in Cronulla.
Cronulla surfer Dave Wilson surfer, shaper, glasser, sander and more, has an extensive knowledge of Cronulla of the early days of the sport and represents the kids that were born during or not long after WW2. He has been involved in surfing ever since…….
Episode 1 Series 3: The crew are excited to tell you about what they have been up to during the summer break, , the waves they have been fortunate to have at their local, and who has been tearing it up.
Don't forget to tune in to Episode 1 Series 3 of the Oz Longboarding Podcast on Wednesday at @7pm EST (8pm EDST or 5pm WA time). The crew are excited to tell you about what they have been up to during the summer break, the waves they have been fortunate to have at their local, and who has been tearing it up.
We will also introduce our newest member of the panel, although he needs no introduction at all, Josh Constable. With one world title, 6 Australian longboard titles, over 50 career titles, and more accolades than the rest of the panel combined, Josh, brings a wealth of longboarding aloha to the podcast.
Episode 2022-2: The Cottesloe Longboard Club.
The Cottesloe Longboard Club is aimed at developing a sense of community, encouraging engagement, being involved, and sharing the spirit of friendship. Make no mistake, being part of this club is not about being a hot surfer - it’s about joining in the community, being friendly, sharing the vibe, encouraging safety and good manners in the surf. It’s about lending a hand where you can, joining in the social events and making friends. The club is dedicated to developing a sense of community, sharing the sense of belonging in the ocean and raising an awareness of the importance of preserving our pristine marine environment. As well as travelling, having a large amount of fun, engaging with friends, and helping people learn about longboarding. It’s a fun, lifelong sport, it keeps everyone engaged and active and builds long term relationships. This is a group of like minded people that finds support and friendship under the guise of surfing.
Hailing from the longboard haven of Emerald Beach NSW, Paul Scholten is a carpenter by trade, loves to ride a longboard old and new, and enjoys getting away camping along the East Coast.
He reckons he is fortunate to have a few sponsors, that have helped him get to where he is, including… Clearwater Surfboards, Volte Wetsuits, Shapers, and Xs Surf.
Having competed on the longboard scene for over 20 years Poopa has won numerous contests. Coveted Contest Results: 2015 Australian Open Champion, 2016 Snowy McCallister Open Champion, 5 x Scott’s Head Open Champion, 2 x Crescent Head Open Champ, 4 x Evans Head Champion, 6x National Old Mal Champion, 10 x Woolgoolga Longboard Pointscore Champion.
The mantra he lives his life by is “Stay Cool , and most importantly have fun”!
Mark started surfing in the 60s and he is still doing it Consequently he has ridden most designs of surfboards through the years However he always kept a longboard for those small days even though the 70s and when the modern Malibu came out he was into it. He was one of the founding members of the Woolgoolga Longboard club and is the father of Harley Ingleby, most of you will know that he is a two-time world champion and is a very skilled surfer on any design of board.
Mark started collecting surfboards in the late 70s and very early 80s because he realised that no one else was doing it and a lot of surf history was being lost and that the younger generation didn’t have any idea of what had come before the thrusters that they were riding. Being a keen surfer means that you are always out in the natural environment which has led to Mark being involved in environmental defence, spending many years with the local community to stop the construction of an ocean outfall and achieve the creation of a marine National Park in the Coffs Coast area
He is still actively involved in environmental defence and believes that we should all actively do so. That way the next generations will still get to enjoy our sport the way we have.
Belen has lived a quintessential surfing lifestyle. She describes herself as “I’m a mom , passionate Gardner, spearfisher, dirt bike riding cowgirl, Bogan”
Belén learned to surf at 15 while living in California. After graduating high school she worked at Water Girl, the world’s first all-female surf shop, and taught surfing at Surf Diva, the first all-girls surf school. She went on to teach for all-girl surf schools in Costa Rica, Canada, and Hawaii. Her talents in the water and her passion for the sport led her to a career as a Billabong-sponsored professional surfer/free surfer. She spent the next 15 years traveling the world filming for movies and magazines promoting women’s surfing. A few months ago Belen won the “Breast Comp Ever” at Evans.
In 2007, after moving from Hawaii to Australia, Belén founded Salty Girls Surf School. It brought together the things she loves most: the ocean and inspiring women to overcome adversity to achieve their goals and dreams.
Recently Belen renovated her old house, got a sponsorship with Milwaukee tools to build, and made a commercial with them.
She spends her life educating women in and out of the water with all things surf.. not just how to surf but culture, history, community….: breaking barriers teaching women they need to understand the lineup and not expect waves handed to them on a silver platter.
As for my, I have one the Noosa festival logger and the nose rider Would be my biggest highlights, This year I did win the QLD logger titles and the open men’s Sadly we did not have Aussies As for work I currently manger Caloundra Beach Beat surf shop which I love as it suits my lifestyle and family, Surfing plans would love to have a go at world tittle one day once things go back to normal with this changing world we live in, Also aim to try and get my partner's kids more into longboarding as they start progressing as they both love surfing, I hope that helps sean and also always building more cars Professional surfer Kustom car & bike builder!
Life’s a never-ending wave & I’m on riding the best one right now
Now nearly 18 months since the pandemic started and since we last caught up with Johnny Brasen, he will bring us up to date on how he continues to publish the worlds, best longboard surf magazine and the trials and tribulations of continually sourcing photos and stories during the pandemic.
Victorian Stalwarts, Chad Mclauchlan, and Tim Edwards have been entrenched in the grassroots level of longboarding for the past 15 + years in Victoria, particularly on the West Coast (Bellarine Peninsula). Since meeting at a club comp both have forged a strong surfing friendship that sees them both inspiring each other and the broader surfing community around them. Coming from quite different surfing backgrounds Chad and Tim find themselves predominantly riding single fins and Oldmals nowadays, both talk to us about the current longboard culture in Victoria, its influential characters, recent local history, and where the future is potentially headed. For many years both have been Nettleton surfboard ambassadors and by looking at the boards they ride and how they surf them, it’s clear that both have been influenced by different people and different board designs. Chad and Tim continue to compete in Victoria and both enjoy heading up the east coast of Australia doing the occasional competitions but often haunting the normal longboard meccas of Noosa and Crescent. Long labeled the freezing and sleepy state for Longboarding, the boys shed light and warmth on the healthy longboard community down there in Vic. Tim is the current over 40 Logger State Champion and Over 45 Victorian Old Mal Champion, whilst Chad is the current Runner Up Under 40 Logger State Champion and finalist in many Oldmal events.
Sarra Robertson, Surfer Girl, Artist and Mother.
Basic bio: 3 X degrees in 6 years (Contemp. Vis. Art, Education, Psychology), former junior short boarder (92-95), former pro longboarder (92-2004), founder owner LAND & SEA THERAPY, professional Contemporary Visual Artist, Freelance Creative/Designer/Illustrator, permaculture and tea enthusiast, very proud mother of 2 special needs boys, multiple generation north coast local, who still knows where to fit time into her schedule to surf at the many secret spots she knows.
Bea started surfing around 5 five years ago, just as a social thing in Point Lonsdale, and then gradually made it become a more frequent thing thereafter. Bea was always a short boarder and did her first comp around the age of 7 at the wahu groms comp series at Ocean Grove and she was hooked from then on in! Bea won her first state title in 2016 and then went onto junior Aussie’s that year.
Eventually, Bea decided short boarding was too intense and didn’t enjoy the culture so she went cold turkey and went to boarding school instead!
When she returned she started picking up the longboard more often and going to Victorian point break Point Impossible. Bea ended up making the state team and competed in the Aussie titles 2019 for junior log and longboard and came 2nd and 4th respectively. After a year off in 2020 due to COVID, Bea ripped her way to winning both rounds of open women log and longboard at the state titles in an unbelievable display that saw her earn several near-perfect rides. Bea was super excited for nationals this year but will have her fingers crossed all is good next year.
Her brother Ted is an up-and-coming star of his own and has deflected from short boarding as well to the fine art of logging.
Ted has had some great results across both surfing crafts with several wins in the Wahu national grom comp series in Victoria as well as winning other regional and local events.
Through the Surfcoast Longboarders club, Ted has won multiple club events and has also won under 18s longboarding and logger titles in the Victorian state rounds twice.
Bea hopes surfing takes her to cool places to meet cool people. When international travel opens up, she’d love to do some comps and travel in the northern hemisphere in some warmer waters! I’m passionate about surfing for mental health and want to get involved with the ocean mind. Bea is remarkably smart and in the future wants to study biomed or something in the health field.
Ted just wants to have fun and meet great people. In the 2020 lockdown, he could focus on longboarding as a physical and mental outlet, seeing him improve drastically. One day he’d love to do the Vans Duct Tape Invitational.
Both have amazing futures in the sport and they are certainly a pair to watch out for in the future.
From ripping on bodyboards to winning Australian Old Mal Titles to being the main man behind the Mick Branch Memorial Comp, JJ Starr is a star. Just ask any of the huge group of people that are proud to call him their friend.
Tavis grew up in Durban, South Africa, where he really spent most of his early life in and around the water mostly Bodyboarding, until moving to New Zealand in around 2001.
He starting to surf there and got his first shortboard (funny enough made in South Africa), later moving to Australia where he spent some time in Rockhampton (not fun). When he moved to Brisbane around 2016 Travis got back into surfing mostly as a weekend warrior. With impeccable timing, he moved to the Gold Coast in Feb 2020 just as Covid kicked in, along with a tiny swell, which is when I started longboarding and haven’t looked back!
Travis’s photography journey started from "bad Luck" having injured his wrist. He required multiple surgeries, so he picked up a camera to help get closer to the water. Originally he started just shooting from shore then with a Go Pro, to an iPhone with housing, to where he now has a full range of camera water gear.
Back in April this year Tavis was made redundant and decided “I would try and pursue my passion for photography and the water and decided to work for myself”. So now he is working on developing a client base doing surf sessions, products and working towards more lifestyle photography.
Some of his highlights have been, published in White Horses, Pacific Longboarder, and Surf Girl Magazine and having a life-size image on the wall at the new Adreno superstore on the Gold Coast.
Kat Hughes, WSL competitor, artist, and all round frother been up to lately.
From Moffat Beach on the bottom o the Sunshine Coast, Kat has been a Classic Malibu team rider, riding their boards since she was 13 years old. “I’ve always had a great relationship with Peter, Janet White & the family. They’ve been wonderful friends and even really supportive in whatever I do. I get to share some of my art designs on their t-shits.”
Recent results
Last longboard competition won was Winter Classic by Alex Mal Club ‘21
Noosa Logger - 5th ‘21
Noosa Fest - QF in Women’s log ‘21
2nd - The last Australian longboard titles
Highlights has been getting to travel to other countries like, PNG, Taiwan, California- three times for the Surf Relik and travelling with Kirra Molnar and Lucy Small to Spain and New York. Also catching up with friends from around the world through surfing. Kat has been invited to surf in the Surf Relik 2017, 18,19 - Surfing with her great mate CJ Nelson at Oceanside,
Most of us that have seen Kat around have been taken by the original artwork on the Classic Malibu boards she surfs. She has been doing some art on more surfboards recently. She is slowly getting her art out there, selling prints on Marketplace and just making up designs along the way. When she is motivated and in the zone, she don’t stop being creative until late at night sometimes.
Recently she changed over to another job from Housekeeping to Landscaping Gardener & Sprayer with my Father. (The joys of being a professional longboarder in Australia. Kat felt like a change after cleaning for over 9 years. It definitely was a big change but she is loving working outdoors.
With Covid disruption to her competitive surfing career, she has been just surfing, working and staying locally in Qld with partner Daniel and her two adorable guinea pigs, Honey and Nämi. Going forward Kat will see what happens next, Just keeping surfing and try and get her art work more exposure via online, markets stall and art shows.
Born and raised in North Haven, Mid North Coast NSW, Matt started body boarding as a really young grom, before getting his first surfboard from his Dad when he was 7years old. Mainly he rode shortboards and body boards until he was mid teens. He grew up watching local guys like Ian Bell, Ian Goodace, Gary Taylor, Michael Young and Mick Branch ripping on longboards and thought, he needed to give that a try.
Moving to the Gold Coast in his early 20’s and Matt was lucky enough to learn a lot from Wayne Deane, Wayne and Col looked after him like one of their family, spending A LOT of time surfing with Wayne, Jimi and Noa.
He competed in longboard contest all over Australia and around the world at different levels, from local regional contests, State and Australian Titles, Qualifying series and made the World Longboard tour in Italy in 2011. His best results came mainly from riding Old Mal’s and Logs,
Becoming a mutliple Log and Old Mal Champ at Crescent Head, 4x Malfunction Champ, and a bunch of other wins at Byron Bay, Evan’s Head, Scotts Head etc.
He has always surfed a large range of boards, from fishes, shortboards, Performance Longboards, Log’s, Old Mal’s and Big Wave Gun’s.
In 2013 Matt started working for Pyzel Surfboards, where today he is the Brand Manager working with world tour surfers John John Florence, Jack Freestone and Tyler Wright.
He stepped back from chasing the longboard contest scene (still doing the odd fun event) and now likes to chase bigger swells paddling into many at places like Pipeline, Waimea Bay, Shipsterns, Cloudbreak, Uluwatu etc. In 2018 at Uluwatu with one of the biggest swell’s in over 30 years Matt paddled into some of the biggest waves ridden in Indonesia.
Nowadays his favourite waves are Pipe, Waimea Bay, Uluwatu, & Lovers.
Dan Croskery, ANZAC more or less. Gisborne born and bred and 20 years in Australia. Loves both countries. His daughter Sahdarna, 12 years old was born at the Tweed hospital. He has an amazing Australian partner Naome West, she has 4 boys aged 8, 10, 13 and 16.
Dan moved back to Aotearoa/NZ to reconnect with whanau/family, culture, to study and to uncrowded waves.
There he works in the mental health sector as a community support worker creating independence for clients with mental health disorders like Schizophrenia, psychosis and bipolar. Now Dan is into his 4th year of a 6 year study Journey. He has a diploma in health and well-being, mental health, and addictions. He is 2 years into a 4 year bi-cultural social work degree, with the focus to be a mental health clinical specialist when he’s finished.
Surfing wise Dan is the president of the Gisborne boardriders, head coach and head of longboard development. The club is doing amazing things in the community with surfing as a vehicle for well-being, and are more inclusive community-focused, but still cater for performance surfing. Some community initiatives have been surfing for farmers (mental health) Surf for life (disadvantaged kids), Coast kids surf for life, East coast kids, taking surfing to small coastal towns with Surfing and cultural experiences. Still surfs a lot, enjoying a little foiling as well. His spare time if any is spent doing Reno’s on a 1940s villa.
Last contest results would be
2017 runner up Malfunction
2017 runner up O40 Noosa Festival of Surfing
2019 Open modern longboard circuit champion GBC
Riley hails from Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland with his local surf-spot being the point at Moffat Beach. He has a huge list of surfing achievements including being the 2019 Australian Junior Longboard Champion. He took out the trifecta at the Agnes Water Longboard Classic 2020 plus he snuck in the best hang 10 of the event as well. Not content with just competing, Riley is always ready to lend a hand, putting up tents, judging and doing whatever he can to help.
Surfing Highlights include, surfing against Joel Tudor on the WSL Longboard World Tour, getting dropped in on by four world champions in the span of one week, being knocked straight out of the Noosa Festival Old Mal event after coming runner-up the year before. (don’t know how this is a highlight lol), What it felt like to get the Trifecta at Agnes, going to the Whalebone completely unknown and placing 2nd in the WSL Pro Event, constantly being mistaken as a longboard skateboarder
Now in his second year of psychology at the University of the Sunshine Coast he is a top performing student and involved in various representative roles. He is the Founding Chairperson of the High-Performance Student Athlete program and the Student Senate Representative. This framework was designed to help student athletes’ excellence in both their sport and studies simultaneously, and improve students experience at university. He is the President of the USC Psychology Club and is currently organising various events for psychology students at his university. Riley is also employed as a USC ambassador regularly representing his university at large gatherings and careers expo
Other achievements outside of surfing include, Winner of the 2018 Environment & Liveability Awards, Australian Defence Force 2017 Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award, Finalist 2017 Young Achiever of the Year, Local Sporting Champion Grant, India Consulate Social Media Ambassador, where he promoted the connection between India, sport, and the tradition of yoga for the International Day of Yoga 2020 and he took a lead role to connect Australian sporting achievements with the Indian Consulate in Sydney
Lucas Proudfoot is a Bundjalung / South Sea Islander man with a background in professional surfing, representing Oxbow clothing when they were the major player in longboard surfing, contemporary music as the front man for Max Judo, and traditional Aboriginal dance.
After Lucas took on the professional surfing circuit for five years and became an internationally-ranked long-board surfer, reaching a career high of world number nine while representing Oxbow clothing.
As a cultural performer in his teens he was part of an Indigenous cultural dance troupe, The Minjungbal Dancers, performing at local, national and international events, including tours to Asia and Brazil.
Between 2000-10 Lucas performed professionally with the band Max Judo touring to Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, Spain, France, Portugal, Hawaii and South Africa.
Through his business Circular Rhythm, Lucas has merged his talents into a solo performance that has kids singing and dancing. Circular Rhythm offers live Indigenous Australian music and performances to audiences as diverse as school children, conference delegates and tourism visitors all across the nation.
After many years travelling Australia and the world, Lucas has decided to put his experiences to paper. His latest endeavour, a six-part adventure series named The Proud Foots, is written for six to ten year olds and highlights Australia’s diverse Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander cultures, while touching on other cultures from around the globe.
He credits his mother and father as major influences on him.
Rachael Tilly & Shannon Brooke Hughes bring you the Women’s Surf Network as we talk about what’s going on with their brand new podcast:
Rachael is from California and currently living in Australia. Rachael set her name in surf history in 2015 when she won the @wsl World Longboard Title, holding the record of surfing’s youngest ever World Champion. While she continues to compete on the Longboard Tour, she has also taken a full-time job at the World Surf League based in Coolangatta, Gold Coast.
Shannon Brooke Hughes is also originally from California; Shannon has been working as a commentator for over 7 years. With a solid resume of working around the world as a commentator for the @wsl and @isasurfing, Shannon’s experience behind the mic will lead the team in their new podcast. A break from competition due to COVID created the inspiration to make talking about surfing an everyday job. Hence The Double-Up podcast was born. A podcast for women who surf, by women who surf. Tune in each week to hear the latest in all things women’s surf. Join us on Oz longboarding as we interview Rachael and Shannon about their latest endeavours in the surfing world, discuss their new podcast and get a little run down on the Olympics.
For many years in Australia there have been surfers that have had to overcome some sort of disability to be able to get back into the ocean and surf. These surfers have proven themselves to be resilient and creative by adapting their own techniques and equipment to achieve this with help from their friends in the surfing community. This is the story of two of them.
WA surfer Sean Catlin had been a surfer all his life but was left paraplegic after a motor vehicle accident in 2014. He felt like he had lost his identity in a way when he initially thought he couldn't surf again. The 40-year-old who lives just north of Perth, said his return to surfing had been encouraged by viewing footage of an Adaptive Surfing event, and social media contact with surfers in a similar predicament.
Rahn Goddard: You can take the man out of WA but you can’t change the way he attacks the waves on the East coast.
Now living in the inner west of Sydney Rhan originally and always will be a WA boy.
Boardriders club: Manly Malibu Club
Stance: Goofy
Favourite surf break: Yallingup main break, Manly Beach and Canggu.
Favourite surfers to watch: Declan W cos he rips and is a frother, Jack Norton, Justin Redman - he's just JR, all the old boys back home (Bob Monkman, Barrie Mackinnon, Chris Fulston) and of course my old boy TG.
Favourite surfers to compete against: Josh Dunn - it's always going to be competitive but fun, Harley - just brings out another level in your surfing.
Best results: Noosa Old Mal 1st place, 5th at Aussies some time last century, the odd Whalebone Classic win, and my single Yal Mal victory over Jarryd Foster and the Corbett boys.
Supporters: Clearwater Surfboards (SDR), Volte wetsuits, and Geoff Fanning (he lends me logs and keeps me grounded at events)
All time session: Last Christmas when I was finally allowed home (COVID). a slight onshore first thing at Yal Mains so it kept the crowd away. Went 4ft, glassy, and it was just all the guys I grew up surfing with (Danny Holding, Jason Belcher, Barrie Mac, Mick Marlin, my old boy) for nearly 4 hours. I was meant to take the missus to breakfast as it was her first trip to WA, needless to say when I got home at lunch, I was well in the doghouse.
Just over a week out from the inaugural Trans Tasman Test, organisers had to postpone the event due to the latest outbreak of Covid in Australia. An innovative new surfing competition pitting representative surfers from Australia and New Zealand challenging each other in a team format on both shortboards and longboards in a team format we are joined by Australian team members Jay Phillips, Audrey Stymen-Lane and Josh Constable and from NZ manager Rusty Ritichie and Phil Morris to talk about the highs and lows of this announcement and who is the better team.
Mia Waite and Lucy Bowen, Two frothers from the Sunny Coast that are charging everything in and out of the water with the enthusiasm of the young.
My first memories of going surfing were as a 4/5 year old when we moved to the first city in the world to see the sun, Gisborne NZ. On weekends the family would walk to the beach where my old man, Bernie, would hire a big yellow old mal from the Waikanae Kiosk and the two of us would hit the waves.
Nearly 60 years later I can reflect on a life where surfing was never to far away. Spare moments spent going surfing no matter the conditions, living and working at the beach, lifeguarding at Raglan without the crowds, hiring boards and umbrellas at Rainbow Bay, running a Surfshop and Café at Kirra, exploring surf spots in the Philippines and now 25 years as a surfing promoter.
Born in NZ, now based in Byron Bay. Paul McNeil's career spans over 40 years. Now known as the “Mayor” of Byron Bay, Paul is an absolute staple in the surf industry. He has subtly shaped the intersection of art and surf.
An original Mambo artist, Paul has published several kids books, co-founded The Art Park and designed endless graphics on Surfboards, skateboards, clothing, album covers, merchandise and tour posters including The Clean and The Rolling Stones.
Co-founder of The Art Park, a celebrated artist residency program in Australia, he’s held multiple solo art shows, designed tour posters and record sleeves for likes of Beck, Pavement, Rolling Stones, etc. and so much more. In between art showings in all the places you’d want to surf, we got together to bring his signature snarky aesthetic to a series of boards.The last two years have seen relentless solo exhibitions in Sydney, Tokyo, San Francisco, Auckland, Hobart, Christchurch, Bali, Byron Bay and Portugal.
Continuing his early humorous and witty Mambo days, simplicity is the backbone to his ongoing works. Personal truths, localism, music, politics, humanity and surfing show up in these vibrant paintings and sculptures.
The youngest member of the panel Nathan, and his view on the state of longboarding, playing footy for the Torquay Tigers, cooking eggs and life in general.
The old image of surfers being on the Government surf team, living overcrowded in dilapidate beach houses Nathan recently graduated Bachelor of Communication (Journalism). More than proficient on both long and shortboards, Nathan is busy as a surf coach, surfing commentator, works for Surfing Victoria and for Need Essentials. In fact the only thing Nathan can’t do is find time to get his hair cut.
The 7th Surf Art Exhibition was held during the NFOS. Organised by Owen and featuring 30 various artists, its Owens artworks that really capture and ignite the imagination. They speak to all who have sat and watched or experienced the energy of mother oceans embrace. Owens passion for his work and time spent abroad further fuels his infectiously upbeat persona. An unswerving commitment to the Sunshine Coast and protection of the pristine beaches hugging its shoreline are driving forces, while his love for surfing and any pastime connected with the ocean are a constant source of inspiration.The use of organic materials in his distinctive airbrush creations take on a photo realistic appeal. The old adage of ”only a surfer knows the feeling” resonates throughout his art. Locals and tourist traveling on the Sunshine Coast motorway daily view the old shed in the cane field with Owen’s instantly recognizable image of a peeling wave with Old Woman Island in the background.
His airbrush treatments on vintage (roundie) refrigerators from the forties and the fifties, are a case of demand outstripping supply.
Episode 2021-11: All the happenings at the Noosa Festival live with the panel and friends.
This week on Oz Longboarding Tuesday 11th May @ 7pm EST Episode 2021-10: Dane Pioli Karaoke King, Australian Champion, 3 x Malfunction Champion and Australian Longboard Open Champion.
Born in Campbelltown, now a long time local and standout at Snapper, Pioli has the respect of the whole surfing community due to his ability to surf anything including ripping on a boogie board, shortie, log and HP’s. Dane has been longboarding since he was 13 when together with his father and brother Jayce, they joined the LAYBACK LONGBOARDERS..
If he didn’t love the sport of longboarding Dane reckons life would have been very different now!! “only god knows where I would be without the ocean as my friend.”
Into the shaping bay with Gillian Grove, the lady shaper.
A bad experience buying a longboard from a surfshop, led shortboard surfer, artist, art teacher, traveller and life motivator, Gillian Grove into the shaping bay.
Gillian has been a practicing artist for over 20 years and is the founder of “Artable” bringing art classes, workshops & travel experiences in Australia to those wishing to improve their artistic skills. In 2019 she made the decision to ditch her shortboard and go long in the surf. She purchased a longboard after a shop assistant told her that a longboard would make it easier for her to surf. In reality she found the 9ft board harder to paddle than her shortboard and skittish on a wave. Frustrated and disappointed with her longboard, Gillian started to research what was wrong with her new board eventually coming to the realisation she had been sold a HP longboard, more suited for powerful surfing and not the 3ft peelers she prefers. Gillian was drawn to approach fellow artist and well known shaper Richard Harvey who offered to help her understand board design and to start her journey as a shaper.
Noosa Festival of Surfing
From humble beginnings in 1992, the Noosa Malibu Club’s annual ‘Noosa Malibu Classic’ longboarding event had become a fixture on the international longboard contest calendar
This week on Oz Longboarding Tuesday 13th April @ 7pm EST Episode 2021-6,
The elite band of women who became pioneering international surfing champions in the 1980s is refreshingly candid in their character assessments of one another. In Christopher Nelius’ documentary about their careers in the sport, they ruefully share memories of the hard-driving Wendy Botha, who spared no one’s feelings in her urge to win and they recall with affection the young and eager Layne Beachley, harrying the older members of the group with questions about the workings of the sport.
From crafting surf reports for radio to reporting on surfing for television, to becoming Tweed Daily News' surf columnist for the past 25 years, McKinnon's love for surfing has seen him endure in a career he was told had no future.
23 yr old Ben Considine, hails from Victoria. There he enjoys riding all sorts of craft, especially he has a passion for logging. He lives in Barwon Heads where there is a great variety of fun points and beachies to pick from. When he’s not looking for waves he spends a lot of his time completing placements and studying Physiotherapy in his final year at uni. He makes time to mess around with some music and running a longboard coaching business that he started with his old man, Lee. He has also been enjoying working on a project called ‘The Sunday Glide’ with his Dad, which is a fun little edit/series they started and throw together each week.
In the past, he has won an Australian Open logger title and a Junior logger title earl. He has been noticed by his peers overseas, getting invites to a lot of incredible competitions such as the Duct Tape Invitational in Portugal, Mexilog Fest, Deus 9ft and single, Surf Relik, and the Ferro Log. He was traveling around with the WSL world tour competitions in 2018-2020 before things came to a stop.
Born in Coffs Harbour 1955. Bill’s father dredged harbours and built breakwaters along the east coast be they moved to WA when he was about 10. He grew up in Scarborough in Perth before moving to Margaret River in 1974. There he started a family and built his house.
He has been involved in surfing clubs all his life, being awarded life membership for his tireless work of Margaret River Board Riders and the Indian Ocean Longboard Clubs. Competitively, Bill has represented WA in many Nationals in various age groups and on all sorts of boards.
These days his passion is preserving WA surfing history. He own a lot of boards, restoring them and riding them then try to work out the story a board will tell. “I figure that will get you started and the fun will flow.”
Andrew Carruthers ‘The Panda” Longboarder, family man, traveller, photographer and Longboard Chaplain.
The Panda was born in Qld, raised in Byron Bay and on the Gold Coast and now calls Coolum Beach home.
After finishing school he joined the RAAF as an Aircraft metal worker / composite fibre tech before leaving the RAAF for medical reasons. Since then the Panda has followed a variety of careers, including working in surf shops, and teaching before following a religious calling that has seen him become a Minister Pastor in the SALT church and the director of the Christian Surfers. For 8 years he has taken on the largely voluntary role as the Chaplain at the Australian Longboard Titles and for 11 years as the WSL Longboard Chaplain, travelling to Hawaii, Sri Lanka, Japan, Spain, USA, Taiwan and China.
As well as being the Longboard Chaplain, the Panda is a renowned surf photographer with his photos featuring in Pacific Longboarder, Australian Longboarding, Slide, Nalu Blue and coffee table books.
He was the director, and producer of cinematography for Flux, (surf movie}.
His calling is to assist Longboarders with life’s journey, where he will marry you, and when you die bury you. He has a listening ear and an impartial voice to help guide you through good times and bad.
Who is Dick Smith?
No not the vegemite salesman, rather the man behind the Dick Smith Surf Designs, Rainbow Bay Longboards and Catalyst Surfboards.
Richard “Wig” Smith has lived and worked over the last 35 years shaping and glassing boards in Newcastle, the Gold Coast, the Tweed Coast and now he calls Evans Head his home.
Proud of the fact that he is still ‘old skool’ hand shaping, glassing and sanding everything himself.
He is also not averse to a drop of the amber fluid, or a bit of traveling where he can mix beer tasting and surfing together.
Hailing from San Diego, CA, Taylor grew up with a passion for riding any type of surf craft that he could get his hands on. At the age of 13 he fell in love with Longboarding and since then he has become one of the most successful and dominant competitive Longboarders in the World today. Over the course of his career, and with many more years to go, he has racked up 3 WSL World Longboard Titles, 6 North American National Titles, 3 Australasian National Titles and over 50 professional career victories along the way.
When he’s not chasing swells and contests all over the globe, Taylor spends his downtime with his wife Nava and son & daughter splitting their time between the beaches of San Diego, CA and the Far North Coast of NSW, Australia.
Well that’s ok, you more then likely have similar interests as he loves surfing, beer, music, his local footy team Cronulla Sharks where is touted as their #1 supporter, (Scomo only thinks he is #1) and spending time with his mates.
Born in the Sutherland Shire on the southern outskirts of Sydney. From an early age he was surfing and competing in his local boardriders club Sandshoes. In his late teens after a long trip home from schoolies week he discovered the right hand points of the far north coast and moved to Ballina.
Cookie left the shire with very little in an old kingswood with a few boards and a tent making Ballina central caravan park his home.
There he was lucky enough to be accepted into Lismore Universities Indigenous studies course and moved from the tent into a unit on Cherry St.
Cookie met some amazing girls from all over the world at Lismore Uni who were living on campus with other International students. He used his good looks and smooth tongue to persuade them to live on the coast with him in a big beach house....
Finishing uni with an associate degree Cook moved to Byron and spent a few years taking people surfing during the day and showing them what Byron had to offer at night spinning cd’s at C-Moogs nightclub under the name DJ Cookielove.
It was around this time Cook enjoyed going along to a few longboard events and meeting the lovely people involved in it.
Matt moved from Byron back to Sydney picking up full time work as a youth worker and residential career.
Cookie now resides in Cronulla with his beautiful family wife Bec and their 8 week old baby boy Angus. Cookie also hosts surf/party events that run from time to time, you can find all the details at _pinkshelltrimmers_ on his Instagram page.
LUCY SMALL from Western Australia is driven by a strong internal energy and passion for surfing, travel and writing. She’s experienced the world and is not afraid to cross borders, physically and metaphorically.
As a writer, she’s gone through the paces as an intern, sub-editor, editor and contributing journalist where she’s confronted, argued and supported many high-level issues to affect change, especially for women, refugees, and equality. She has a fierce determination to undo the injustices in the world or at least assist with setting them in motion for repair and an emotional sensitivity that allows her in, to understand.
As she continues her intrepid adventures, we are inspired more than ever by her, her discoveries and her writing. She now works as a freelance writer and can be contacted through The Mermaid Society.
You can follow Lucy’s adventures on her own blog, SALTWATER PILGRIM and follow her on Instagram @saltwaterpilgrim
Lets face it we have all had some horrible moments in the surf. It may have been paddling out to the lineup only to find it was soo much bigger than you are comfortable with. Maybe it was the guy in the grey suit that cruised past you flashing several rows of sharp teeth. Or maybe it was very accidentally dropping in on the biggest meanest local ever to grace a longboard. Whether it was one of these moments or one where that over head deep deep tube was draining over an exposed rock shelf we have all have tales to tell.
Born into a surfing family twins Dan and Mick grew up surfing longboards between Scarborough and Yallingup with Dan being the state open champion and a regular in the WA State team to the Australian Titles for many years. He spent several years living the dream by working in the Telo Islands as a surf guide. Both Dan and Mick competed sporadically in ASP/WSL pro longboard events over the years but both twins were drawn to the thrill of Big Wave surfing.
In recent years, Mick has emerged as one of Australia’s eminent big wave riders. Mick’s versatility has won him both XXL wave awards and pro longboard contests. In the past two years, Mick has won and placed second in the Surfing Life Big Wave Awards, and has been a finalist in the International WSL Big Wave Awards.
Born & bred on the doorstep of Noosa National Park. When he was 10 he was competing in local junior boardriders events. In his early teens he discovered longboarding and his future was mapped out.
Josh's focus was always on winning events and it wasn't long before he was living out his dream. Josh began competing professionally at a young age of 15. By 2006, Josh had cemented his dominance in the world stage of competitive longboarding by winning the ASP World Longboard Title. He has amassed 51 career titles including 6 Australian Open Longboard Titles.
After achieving all the success, he has decided to slow down his competitive goals over the past 4 years, seeking only to compete in specialty events while exploring all the possibilities of making the boards under his feet work better in all kinds of conditions. This passion has translated into his surfboard label Creative Army Surfboards by Josh Constable.
Surfer, Husband, Collector, Father, Archivist, Grandfather, Traveller, Historian, Writer, Photographer, Surf Reporter, Consultant, Teacher, Jan Juc Resident, Sexagenarian, Dog Lover, Piscean, Vegaquarian, Music Man, President, Life Member, Competitor, Lifestyle & Fitness Enthusiast. Is how Noel “The Wife” describes this weeks guest, Bob Smith.
He has won 23 Victorian titles and two Australian Masters Games titles, as well as two Surfing Australia Hall of Fame awards and multiple titles for the Torquay Boardriders and Surfcoast Longboarders. He was awarded life membership to Surfing Victoria in 2014.
Jodie Barsby started surfing when she was about 11-12, joining the local Board Riders club, Crescent Head Board riders, competing against mostly guys on her dad’s old Mal. When she was 13, her parents, Emma and Graham, bought her a brand new Bob Kennerson Longboard and she was hooked.
With a string of Indigenous surf titles under his belt and a regular on the Australiaan ASP/WSL LQS, Tom is comfortable surfing and competing in 1 ft ankle biters to giant Hawaiian size power waves. His father (Tom Avery) is a renowned Indigenous artist and surfer. His mother (Jennifer Avery) a talented singer/guitarist and full blood Maori from the Taranaki Province of New Zealand. It has led Tom Jnr to follow a pathway of surfing and music, performing as Blakboi. Tom is from the Gomeroi peoples of central NSW now living on the Bundjalung Nation around the Byron Bay / Lismore area.
Paul ”Whitey” White the head of the driving force at CWater, who have taken over running at the Agnes Water Longboard Classic Funds raised are structured to support youth development programs. Find out from Whitey what it is about this contest that attracts longboarders from all around Australia and why some of them never leave.
Peter White head shaper and Classic Malibu business owner shaped his first surfboard in 1965 and has been shaping boards continuously for over 55 years. Peter is a wealth of experience and knowledge, travelling the world sharing his craft throughout England, Spain, Japan, Taiwan and now China, always searching for new innovations in surfboard design. From the latest templates to creative artwork “style is everything” when it comes to the board. He custom shapes everything from high performance shortboards to 10ft old school logs
The ride to the beach has always been important for surfers. Whether you come screaming into the carpark in a VW Kombi, a restored Woody, a pimped out Panel Van or a $100 auction special they have all provided transport and accommodation for surfers over the last 50 years. Post some photos of your wheels here on our Facebook page or on our Instagram.
Matty has been panel beating, restoring and creating some of these sweet rides nearly as long as he has been surfing. Tonight he will show you some examples of what we all wish we could cruise the coast in and will give you some pointers into what to look for if you are going to create an eye popping, head turning, shagging wagon. He will talk about how to maintain your surf vehicle including “rust proofing and practical additions to add longevity to your surf car, wagon or van"
Alby was a regular on the stage at Noosa earlier this year, entertaining with a mixture of mellow sounds each afternoon, after a day of helping setup the NFOS, and sneaking away when no one was looking, for a surf each day.
Born on the Gold Coast with parents that both surfed, Alby was always in the lineup, usually with his mother, travelling the Queensland coast regularly to Agnes Water. A self-professed bit of a kook who has always loved his surfing.
A few years ago Alby was on his coming of age Overseas Experience when he suffered a serious motorbike accident in Cambodia. During an expanded period of recuperation, he went on a self-described “Bit of a bender on healthy mind and body studies” and spent a lot of time playing his music and planning his future. Now he is back in Australia with a philosophy of travelling, surfing and sharing his music.
As a girl living beachside at Crescent Head since the early 60’s Robyn Harvey’s love of surfing began at six when Santa Claus gave her a Hanimex coolite foam surfboard. Some 60 years later she still loves the thrill of taking to the waves.
Robyn Harvey is the mastermind behind womens surf brand "Gidget" and community organisation Women in the Waves, among many other projects. Robyn's contribution to womens surfing in Australia has been relentless throughout her time surfing. A former Queensland state champion longboarder, Robyn was Surfing Queensland’s first female president.
Born in Coffs Harbour in 1983, Harley Ingleby started surfing as soon as he could walk. started surfing as soon as he could walk. His surf-mad father Mark encouraged Harley to try all kinds of weird and wonderful surf-craft, and by the time he reached his teens, he could ride anything from a 5-foot fish to a 10-foot log. Harley soon began competing in shortboard and longboard junior events and was a star performer in both. He won the Australian longboard titles in 2005 and 2007 and in 2009 Harley won his first WSL World Longboard Championship then In 2014, he claimed his second WSL World Longboard Championship title with a win in Hainan, China.
In 2019 Harley dropped from the WSL events to concentrate on family and business.
The panel will discuss some of their more memorable surf trips. Whether it is escaping the drudgery of the city with a Friday night escape out of the city with your mates, pulling in for a pie and a chocolate milk before the sun comes up before the dawnie, chasing a promising swell, exploring off the beaten track and roughing it in isolation with only the supplies you bring with you, or setting off to a contest for the next few days, surf trips are part of what defines us as surfers.
Mad inventor, Courtney Potter is the owner and mad inventor of 3DFINS that keeps many a surfer sane, started in a rustic shed in Western Australia. Designer and founder Courtney Potter's hand made Fin designs were honed in the insane mix of waves the WA coast has to offer. Courtney's artist background and earlier work with Flying Toy designs gave him a different view of what fins could be resulting in what some considered out of this world designs. Dimple technology was different people understood the concept and gave it a go, leading to 3DFINS amazing entry into the Fin world. 3DFINS is now relocated to Burleigh Heads Queensland. The Gold coast with its long points has proven to be perfect for researching and developing new and innovative fin designs. He also experiments with surfboard fin materials, trying to find unique compositions that are more durable and more environmentally friendly.
Surf Witches is a free community organisation for female surfers based on the Gold Coast Queensland They started when friends Miranda Laidlaw and Hannah Jessup started to learn to surf and met another learner, Monica Wach, in the water at Currumbin Alley on the Gold Coast.
They all started to surf together and soon met up with other female surfers, creating ‘The Surf Witches’ facebook group so everyone could stay in touch and always have a surf buddy.
Andrew McKinnon, is a freelance journalist, environmentalist, writer, commentator, and event manager. A former World Longboard Champion Andy Mac is a skilled operator who has achieved many outcomes for ocean conservation and protecting beach and surf amenity. Highly passionate and persistent in pursuing outcomes for a more sustainable society and increase in well being.
Phil Jarratt has lived and surfed in Noosa for 30 years, excluding periods living in France and California. He co-founded the Noosa Festival of Surfing in 1998 and the Jarratt family ran the event for 15 of its 23 editions, calling it a day in 2018.
In 2013 Phil became founding chairman of the Noosa National Surfing Reserve committee which accomplished its mission of becoming a National Surfing Reserve in 2015. Phil then became president of the Noosa World Surfing Reserve stewardship council, steering that campaign to victory in 2017. Noosa was dedicated the 10th World Surfing Reserve in February this year. Currently, he is working with Noosa Shire Council and other community groups to create a workable model for the proposed State protective legislation.
Both Andy and Phil have been the driving force for the push for the Gold Coast’s and Noosa’s inclusion as a World Surfing Reserves following Manly’s inclusion in 2010. The Manly WSR incorporates both Manly and Freshwater beaches and their numerous and consistent beach breaks, with Manly itself being Sydney’s most popular surfing beach.
World Surfing Reserves proactively identifies, designates, and preserves outstanding waves, surf zones and their surrounding environments, around the world. With world-class sand bottom point breaks from Burleigh to Snapper and the history, culture and champions that our fine beaches have given rise to, the Gold Coast, is the 8th World Surfing Reserve.
Earlier this year Noosa became the 10th World Surfing Reserve with an area that covers the world class point breaks from Laguna Bay on Noosa Main Beach all the way to the beach break at North Sunshine Beach.
Earlier this year Noosa became the 10th World Surfing Reserve with an area that covers the world-class point breaks from Laguna Bay on Noosa Main Beach all the way to the beach break at North Sunshine Beach
Join us at 7pm Australian EST when Kirra, Sean, Jack, Matty, Nathan and of course Weeksy talk Logs vs HP surfing. Sure to be a lively debate.
Now a veteran, the man they call the “godfather of soul” is still one of the most graceful longboarders in the world, with a drop knee cutback that most longboarders would die for.
Ray grew up on a dairy farm and didn’t start surfing until his family moved to Kingscliff when he was 14. That relatively late start was not a hindrance at all, especially after he embraced the longboard revival in the 1980s and fast became one of Australia’s leading competitors, winning the national longboard title in 1991, ’92 and ’93, and representing Australia at the world longboard titles in France in 1992 (second) and in Brazil in 1994 (fifth).
Despite those impressive contest statistics, at heart Ray has always been a soul surfer, and as an ambassador and team rider for McTavish for more than 20 years, he has been an inspiration to a whole generation of surfers
This week we speak to the best of the best Junior Longboarders in Australia. Luca Doble, along with Kaiden & Landen Smales, all from Noosa, give us a rare insight into the mindset and lifestyles of our Under 18 National Champions.
This week's special guests represent both ends of the longboarding age spectrum. Elder statesman Mick Marlin drops in from south west WA, while super grommets Landen and Kaiden Smales will also be joining us from Noosa on QLD's Sunshine Coast.
Tune in to discuss the changes in longboarding between the 60's when Mick started out, to the current modern era which has seen the Smales brothers having incredible success in both long- and shortboard surfing.
Mick is sharing some of his vast collection of historical images, while Kaiden and Landen will be showing us some of their more modern multi-media talents.
Want to know more about the history and future of our sport? Tune in between 7-8pm AEST on the new day of THURSDAY!!
Have you ever wondered how professional photographers are able to consistently take such amazing shots? Wondered which camera/lens combo is best for you? Wanted to know how to get your photos published online or in print? Or anything else at all to do with the art of photography? Now's your chance! We will be joined on Friday by legendary lensman Luke Sorensen, who has had several lifetimes worth of experience photographing bands, surfing, and sports.
We will be interviewing Steve Del Rosso from Clearwater Surfboards. With stores on both coasts, Steve makes the magic loggers for multiple Aussie Logger champ Clinton Guest. Steve also makes great high performance boards for the heavy waves of the west coast.
We can confirm our special guest this week will be none other than Editor/Publisher of Pacific Longboarder Magazine, John Brasen. JB will be able to answer all your questions regarding the production of the world's last remaining print publication for longboarding.
JB has agreed to run one of our viewer photos in the PLB newsfeed, so photographers here's your chance to achieve online fame and glory.
Everything longboarding in Australia. Events, contests, board design, sponsors, who's hot, lifestyle, local news & opinions with regular panel of Jason 'Weeksy' Weeks, Matt 'the Waxhead' Chojnacki, Kirra Molnar, Big Sean McKeown, Nathan Rivalland & guests