PINCH MY SALT

Latest Episodes:

EP 99 | The Dark Side of Being a Pro Surfer | Pinch My Salt Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Aloha 🤙 Welcome to Pinch My Salt with pro surfer Sterling Spencer and cousin Ryan—today we dive into the lineup wars: Core-lords vs. Kooks, “Karen surfers”, Gen Z etiquette, peak-hour rules, and why surf schools aren’t teaching the actual rules of surfing. We break down lineup regulation (no refs, no sidelines), how to read local hours at spots like Pipe, and a belt-rank idea for the black belt of surfing so beginners stop paddling into danger. We react to viral clips (fake shark? arrow check!), John John Florence rail power, Mason Ho magic, skim-style wedges, and Pharrell’s Ebony Beach Club wave-pool program. We debate power surfing vs. sauce, why Andy Irons grit still rules, and how to dress/hold your board so you don’t look like a kook. Plus: photographer drama, industry nostalgia (mag days to TikTok), and Sterling’s favorite board right now (JS Flamefish quad). If you surf, skate, or just love surf culture, this episode is for you—like, sub, and drop your worst “Karen in the lineup” story below.
Thanks Pinchers! You’re the real Core-lords holding down the digital lineup. Remember: pick up your trash, respect peak hours, and never fart in the barrel
surfing etiquette, lineup rules, Karen surfers, core lord vs kook, beginner surfing mistakes, surf school problems, peak hours surf, Pipe local hours, John John Florence turns, Mason Ho barrels, wave pool Ebony Beach Club Pharrell, power surfing vs style, Andy Irons, Dane Reynolds, JS Flamefish review, quad vs thruster, how not to snake, surf fight, surfing culture podcast
#Surfing #SurfPodcast #LineupEtiquette #SurfTips #Kooks #CoreLord #JohnJohnFlorence #MasonHo #WavePool #SurfCulture #Shortboard #JSFlamefish #PowerSurfing #AndyIrons #SkateAndSurf #Pharrell #EbonyBeachClub #Pipe #Hawaii #Aloha

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 98 | The HIDDEN Rule I Wish I Knew SOONER | Pinch My Salt Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

EP 98 | Want to Do Airs? Start Here. | Pinch My Salt

Ever wondered how surfers actually learn to do airs? In this episode of Pinch My Salt, Sterling Spencer breaks down the real secret to surf aerials — and it’s NOT what most surf coaches tell you. We talk about the right way to start learning airs, why speed matters more than technique, how skating barefoot helps progression, and the biggest mistakes surfers make when trying to boost.
This episode quickly turns into a hilarious deep dive into surf culture, longboarding vs shortboarding, knee-paddling, core-lords, kook behavior, surf school problems, Black Belt Surf System, conspiracy theory spirals, OnlyFans culture (yeah… it goes there), and the behind-the-scenes reality of surf sponsorships, brands, and “core vs sellout” debates.
If you love surf progression tips, surf comedy, Sterling Spencer stories, and real conversations about surfing, life, and culture — this one’s for you.
🔥 In This Episode:
The surprising way to actually learn surf airs
Why SPEED is the key to going airborne
Barefoot skate + quarterpipe drill that unlocks airs
Knee-paddling: core or kook?
Longboard gliders, hang tens & surf ego checks
The truth about surf sponsorships, brands & "core" culture
How algorithms are frying our brains
Why “self-taught” might be the funniest surf insult ever
If you're into surfing, longboarding, airs, surf tips, surf progression, surf culture, comedy podcasts, Florida surf, Gulf Coast surfing, or you just want a good laugh — hit play and join the Pinchers!
surf airs, how to do airs surfing, surf aerials, learn surf airs, surfing tips, how to go airborne surfing, surf progression, surfing for beginners, Sterling Spencer podcast, Pinch My Salt podcast, surf comedy, Florida surfing, longboard vs shortboard, surf training tips, surf technique, how to improve surfing, learn to surf, surfer podcast, core surf culture, Gulf Coast surfing, surf humor
#surfing #surftips #surfculture #pinchmysalt #sterlingspencer #surfairs #aerialsurfing #surfpodcast #surfprogression #longboarding #shortboarding #surferlife #gulfcoastsurfing #comedy #podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 97 | Halloween Special: Kelly Slater, Laird Hamilton & Surf’s Scariest Stories | Pinch My Salt Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Happy Halloween from Pinch My Salt—the surf-comedy podcast with Sterling Spencer & Cousin Ryan. Tonight we summon North Shore myths, Pipeline nightmares, Santa Cruz sketchiness, church hell-house stories, and the eternal debate: is gatekeeping surfing good for the culture or a kook move? We roast foilboarders, praise core lords, confess to bowling with Australians, and ask why the scariest waves make us feel the most alive. If you love surf history, wipeouts, haunted swells, Kelly Slater & Laird Hamilton lore, Hawaii surf culture, Pete & Pete nostalgia, and ridiculous Halloween bits, this one’s for you. Hit LIKE, drop a 👻 in the comments, and share with a friend who still pushes mongo. Aloha & stay spooky. 🤙
Subscribe for more surf comedy + core-lord wisdom.
#PinchMySalt #SurfPodcast #SurfComedy #CoreLord #HalloweenEpisode #KellySlater #LairdHamilton #NorthShore #Pipeline #SantaCruz #SurfCulture #HauntedLineup #SurfHorror #Wipeouts #HawaiiSurf #FloridaSurf #Gatekeeping #SoftTopWars #Foilboard #YouKnowDaRulez #SterlingSpencer #CousinRyan #SurfLegends #comedypodcasts
Pinch My Salt, surf podcast, surf comedy, Core Lord, Halloween surf, Kelly Slater, Laird Hamilton, North Shore, Pipeline, Santa Cruz, haunted lineup, surf horror stories, Hawaii surfing, Florida surfing, Sterling Spencer, Cousin Ryan, soft top vs hard board, foilboard jokes, gatekeeping surfing, surf culture 2025, funny surf stories, beach comedy, spooky surf, viral surf clip, Halloween special

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 96 | Are Gen Z Surfers Ruining Surfing or SAVING It? | Pinch My Salt Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

Your new wardrobe awaits! Get $10 off
@chubbies with the code: SALTY at https://www.chubbiesshorts.com/SALTY #chubbiespod
Sterling Spencer finally apologizes to Gen Z surfers — but blames the algorithm. In this hilarious and brutally honest Pinch My Salt Podcast episode, Sterling and Cousin Ryan dive deep into the battle between core vs zesty surfing, authentic surf culture vs algorithm chasing, and the rise of Gen Z surfers doing it for the clip instead of the wave. From Sterling’s viral “Sorry Gen Z” song to full-blown discussions on surfing’s soul, vaping surfers, skate park clout, surf industry grifters, and why exposure doesn’t pay the bills, this one’s a must-watch for every surfer who’s ever wondered: is surfing still about the ocean—or the algorithm?
The boys also talk skimboarding fails, dad life lessons, gratitude, core surf legends like Joel Tudor, and how social media is mutating the next generation of surfers. Raw, funny, and painfully true, this episode captures the heart of what’s happening to surfing in 2025.
👉 Watch till the end for deep laughs, surf wisdom, and a reminder: Don’t lose your soul to the scroll.
#Surfing #SurfPodcast #SterlingSpencer #PinchMySalt #CoreVsZesty #GenZSurfers #SurfCulture #Algorithm #SurfComedy #SurfingLife #WestPeak #SurfingSalvation #SurfingPodcast #SurfHumor #SurfingToday

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 95 | The Surf Tip That Makes You Better! | Pinch My Salt Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

What if one simple surf tip could completely change the way you surf? In this episode of Pinch My Salt, Pro Surfer Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan break down the one board tweak and mindset shift that instantly improves your style, flow, and rail control.
We’re talking about learning to surf smarter, not harder — ditching bad habits, losing the tail pad, feeling your rails again, and reconnecting to what surfing’s all about. Whether you’re riding a Firewire, Channel Islands, or some hipster fish you found on Craigslist, this episode dives into what actually helps you surf better not just look cool on the beach.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, plateaued, or wondered why your board doesn’t feel right, this is your surf reset moment. 🏄‍♂️
👉 Topics we cover:
The one change that instantly improves your surfing
Why tail pads might be holding you back
The truth about hipster boards and overpriced surf hype
How to feel your rail and unlock style & flow
Sterling’s surf belt system (white belt to black belt)
Pro surfer stories from Channel Islands, Firewire, and the underground shapers
What the best surfers in the world actually do differently
Whether you’re a beginner learning how to surf or a seasoned local chasing progression, this episode will help you find that spark again!
#SurfTips #SurfingPodcast #SurfingProgression #PinchMySalt #SterlingSpencer #SurfHack #SurfBetter #SurfTraining #Surfboards #SurfingTechnique #CoreLord #SurfVibes #SurferLife #LearnToSurf #SurfingJoyJitsu #SurfingComedy #SurfingPodcast #FloridaSurf #HawaiiSurf #SurfCulture

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 94 | Gen Z vs. CORE LORD! | Pinch My Salt Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

Surf beef, soft-tops, and the hottest gossip in surfing! all in one episode. Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan break down a spicy Huntington vs North Shore incident, Lower Trestles madness, Gerry Lopez still styling at 75, finger-flip airs (skate tricks in the water!), and the true origin story of the thruster (Simon Anderson, we salute you). We tour Billabong House lore, Andy’s board stash, groms in stand-up pits, and why lineup etiquette still matters. Plus: quads vs thrusters, boogie-board respect, hurricane missions on Tom Curren’s Black Beauty, and whether the “right board” gets too much credit.
If you love surfing, skate culture, and comedy podcasts (with a side of chaos), you’re home. Smash LIKE, drop a COMMENT (team twin, thruster, or quad?), and SUBSCRIBE for weekly surf-comedy deep dives, Core Lord vs Soft-Top debates, and clips from around the world.
#surf #surfpodcast #surfculture #surfingcomedy #skateboarding #skateculture #longboarding #shortboard #softtop #corelord #lowerstrestles #northshore #huntingtonbeach #gerrylopez #thruster #simonanderson #andyirons #groms #kellyslater #boogieboard
Fuel of the pod: West Peak. Get 20% off at drinkwestpeak.com with code PINCHMYSALT — delivered to your door.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 93 | Kelly Slater Ruined My Career | Pinch My Salt Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

Surf comedy meets core-lord confession. In this episode, Sterling tells the wild story of surfing against Kelly Slater at J-Bay—mind games, heat strategy, Andy Irons lore, and the white wetsuit era. We riff on boogie boarding vs. surfing, the real truth about the “720” (it’s a 540, fight us), Chris Joslin’s El Toro 20 tre flip moment, small-town youth group chaos, paddle strength hacks, lineup psychology (how to get more waves), and why the ’80s were the golden era of pro surfing. If you love surf podcasts, skate culture, and dumb-smart jokes, you’re home.
Keywords: Kelly Slater story, Andy Irons, J-Bay, surf competition strategy, wave priority tricks, surf lineup etiquette, boogie board vs bodyboard, Italo Ferreira 720 debate, 540 air in surfing, skate vs surf culture, Chris Joslin El Toro, Tom Curren, Tom Carroll, 80s surf movies, Billabong/Volcom nostalgia, Gulf Coast surfers, paddle training, gym exercises for paddling, beach break tactics, North Shore quotes, wave pool vs ocean airs, comedy podcast surfing.
Subscribe for more surfing + skateboarding + comedy every week. Drop a comment: Is the “720” actually a 540? And who’s the best pro “Ryan” in surfing history?
#SurfPodcast #Surfing #KellySlater #AndyIrons #JBay #SurfComedy #Skateboarding #ChrisJoslin #ElToro #ItaloFerreira #Aerials #TomCurren #TomCarroll #80sSurf #Bodyboard #BoogieBoard #WavePool #SmallWaveGroveller #LineupEtiquette #PaddleTraining #GulfCoastSurf #FloridaSurfers #CoreLord #pinchmysalt
Kelly Slater mind games, Sterling Spencer vs Kelly Slater, J Bay heat story, Andy Irons legend, North Shore quote “we both really know who won,” surf lineup strategy, inside priority trick, beach break tactics, paddle strength exercises, gym machine for paddling, boogie board vs surf board, bodyboarding chicks thongs (beach culture, PG), Italo 720 controversy 540, Matt Meola, Albee Layer, wave pool vs ocean airs, Blue Horizon Jack McCoy, Billabong movies, Volcom House vibes, Gulf Breeze surfers, Pensacola surf, Michael Phelps paddling, Chris Joslin tre flip landed, El Toro 20 stair, skate vs surf crossover, comedy surf podcast, best surfer having most fun.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 92 | This Wild Idea Might Be the Future of Surfing | Pinch My Salt Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

Aloha, core-lords! In this episode, Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan pitch a wild, actually-workable future for surfing: Surf Dojos + a Jiu-Jitsu-style belt system (white → blue → purple → brown → black, with degrees for airs, big waves, and riding any board). We roast soft-tops, salute the Herbie/Nathan/Christian Fletcher lineage and Astrodeck, debate WSL reform (END the endless qualifying grind, merge storylines, boost media), and ask the hard question: Is pickleball bigger than surfing—and why? We break down style vs. tricks, longboarding at size, and what makes true black belts like John John Florence, Joel Parkinson, Griffin Colapinto, Italo Ferreira, Nathan Florence, Kai Lenny (and yes, Kelly) different. Expect Mavericks walls, Snapper Rocks frontside/backside confusion, Pipeline/Tahiti/Jaws talk, Gen Z “training” on land, and classic Pinch My Clips chaos—plus the “Core-Lord vs. Soft-Top” cage match you didn’t know you needed. This is surfing culture, comedy, and progression—skate brain meets ocean dojo, built for surf/skate/comedy podcast fans who still chase style, respect the lineup, and want real community. Like, comment, subscribe, and enter the 12th Dimension with us. 🤙
What’s Inside
The Surf Dojo & Belt System: clear paths from white → black; degrees for Airs / All Boards / Big Waves / Wave-Riding Mastery
WSL Reboot Idea: ditch the zombie qualifying tour, add popular surfers + ISA standouts, compact events, bigger stories
Core-Lord vs Soft-Top: how many soft-toppers to drop a true cor-lord? (Our math is… emphatic.)
Why Taylor Steele era style still matters; how to actually progress today
Icons & Spots: Astrodeck, Herbie Fletcher, Bruce Irons, Machado, Tom Curren, Rasta, Mason Ho; Mavericks, Pipe, Tahiti, Jaws, Snapper Rocks
Boards & Skills: longboard nose rides at size, twin fins, singles, soft-tops (and why they melt), frontside/backside sanity
Gen Z Training (on land?) and the myth of “I surf because Instagram says so”
surf dojo, surfing belt system, surfing jiu-jitsu, WSL reform, big wave surfing, longboard nose ride, twin fin vs thruster, Snapper Rocks, Pipeline, Tahiti, Jaws, Mavericks, Astrodeck, Herbie Fletcher, Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Griffin Colapinto, Italo Ferreira, Kai Lenny, core-lord, soft-top debate, surf comedy podcast, surf culture, skate culture, style surfing, Taylor Steele era, surf progression, surf community, wave pool training.
#surfpodcast #Surfing #SkateCulture #SurfComedy #CoreLord #SoftTop #WSL #BigWaves #Longboarding #Astrodeck #KellySlater #JohnJohnFlorence #GriffinColapinto #ItaloFerreira #KaiLenny #Mavericks #Pipeline #Tahiti #Jaws #SnapperRocks #SurfDojo #SurfingJiuJitsu #SurfProgression #SurfStyle

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 91 | Are Surf Contests BROKEN!? | Pinch My Salt Sep 16, 2025

Show notes

Over 2 Million Butts Love TUSHY. Get 10% off TUSHY with the code: SALTY at https://hellotushy.com/salty
#ad #sponsored
Are surf contests broken? 🤔 In this episode of Pinch My Salt, pro surfer Sterling Spencer and cousin Ryan Spencer dive deep into why surf competitions feel stale, how the WSL world title showdown went down, and whether wave pools, one-hour formats, or even water jiu-jitsu could save pro surfing. From Kelly Slater’s cryptic comments, to Yago Dora’s title win, to epic East Coast surf stories, skimboard vs surfer debates, and the eternal war between soft-tops and hard-tops, this one has it all.
We mix in raw surf comedy, wild skatepark rants, core-lord vs kook culture, Gen-Z drone parties, Latina chaos stories, and even a debate about why people spend thousands just to keep grass lawns alive. 🌱😂 Whether you’re a surfer, skater, or just here for laughs, this episode is packed with barrels, baddies, and brutal honesty about surf culture today.
🔥 Topics inside:
Are surf contests broken beyond repair?
The world champ problem nobody’s talking about
Kelly Slater liking but not following?!
Soft-top diplomacy: can surfing save America?
First barrels, wave pool vs ocean
Skaters vs surfers vs skimboarders — who do the baddies choose?
East Coast legends & Pensacola surf history
Poor people, rich people, and grass lawns 🤯
Water jiu-jitsu fight stories & gym rivalries
👉 Smash that LIKE, drop a COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to join the Pinch My Salt crew — the #1 surf-comedy podcast on YouTube.
#SurfPodcast #SurfComedy #PinchMySalt #SterlingSpencer #KellySlater #YagoDora #WSL #SurfingLife #SurfCulture #SkateLife #CoreLord #SoftTopVsHardTop #SurfContest #SurfingPodcast #SkatePodcast #ComedyPodcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

EP 90 | Every Surfer Should Do THIS! | Pinch My Salt Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

We unpack the chaos of surf culture — from Taylor Swift engagement chatter (and why celebrity news hijacks your brain) to the real top plus-size surf legends and what living inside the Volcom/Billabong houses actually felt like. We debate skate shoes (core brands vs mega-brands), and then drop a blueprint for raising a core-lord grom: single fin → twin fin → thruster. Sterling breaks down why boredom is the secret doorway to style and creativity, how a twin fin resets your rails, and why thrusters still matter when it’s time to sharpen turns. We riff on Dane Reynolds lurking, Jamie O’Brien vlog era zest, and the long shadow of Makaha legends — the “Da Bull” era and beyond. If you love real surf talk (with laughs), nostalgia, and practical progression tips, this is your episode: culture, boards, houses, history, parenting, and how to keep surfing fun without losing your edge.
In this episode: Volcom House vs Billabong House stories, the “good bullying” line in old surf travel, twin-fin fasting, skate culture drift, and the five plus-size chargers who still get respect in lineups and lore.
Taylor Swift engagement, Travis Kelce, surf podcast, Pinch My Salt, Sterling Spencer, Ryan Spencer, Dane Reynolds, Jamie O’Brien, Ben Gravy, Volcom House, Billabong House, Makaha, Greg Noll Da Bull, Shawn Briley, Buffalo Keaulana, Junior Moepono, twin fin vs thruster, single fin fundamentals, surf parenting, grom progression, skate shoes éS Emerica Globe, New Balance Numeric, Nike SB, surf culture comedy
#PinchMySalt #SurfPodcast #SurfCulture #TwinFin #Thruster #VolcomHouse #BillabongHouse #Makaha #GregNoll #ShawnBriley #BuffaloKeaulana #JuniorMoepono #SurfComedy #SurfHistory #GromLife #SkateShoes

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected