Surf Splendor

Latest Episodes:

588 - Greg Noll: PodAloha with Paul Strauch Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

Today's episode features a conversation between Greg Noll and early Hawaiian surf pioneer Paul Strauch. Noll and Strauch reflect on early lessons hard earned on North Shore in the 1960s, regale with stories of larger than life friends and waves, chart the path of how big wave surfing has developed from their early exploits, and recognize the tremendous gift that surfing was in their lives. PodAloha originally aired in 2019 and is being made available to you today through the Strauch family. Enjoy!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

587 - Skip Frye: PodAloha with Paul Strauch Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Today's episode features a conversation between Skip Frye and early Hawaiian surf pioneer Paul Strauch. From Strauch, "Skip Frye is a legendary figure in the surfing world, renowned for his exceptional skills and significant contributions to surfboard design. With a career spanning several decades, Skip has been a key innovator, known for his work in shaping surfboards that have influenced modern surfing techniques and styles. His deep connection to the ocean and his expertise in big-wave surfing have earned him respect and admiration within the surfing community. Beyond his achievements in the water, Skip's legacy includes mentoring younger surfers and continuing to push the boundaries of surfboard design. His impact on the sport is profound, making him a true icon in surfing's history." PodAloha originally aired in 2019 and is being made available to you today through the Strauch family. Enjoy!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

586 - Brenden "Margo" Margieson Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

Genre defining pro freesurfer of the 90s, Margo, joins us to discuss ushering pro surfing from cottage to corporate, humility gleaned while working as a baggage handler, how a passion for bird watching led to his greatest work, and what sparked the revival in his surf career at age 50. Enjoy!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

585 - Roger Hinds Feb 18, 2026

Show notes

In today's show board builder Roger Hinds shares strategies to fend off the old man and continue surfing the North Shore into your 70s, offers a lesson in why original board building materials are still relevant and which modern fabrics offer advancement, reveals why the real threat to domestic board building may come from within, reflects on the reward of restoring historic boards, and explains how to improve your surfing by watching 50 year old surf films. Enjoy!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

584 - Bob McTavish: Part Three Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

In today's show Bob McTavish attributes his biggest design epiphanies to the evolution of the surfboard fin, and each of those to a personal relationship that sparked his inspiration. He shares how Dave Rastovich altered his perception on hydrodynamics, reveals the unfathomable generosity of Bill Bahne, the ingenuity of Tom Morey and Carl Pope, explains how the Sydney ferry and Greenough's tuna fishing's influenced fin design, reflects on surfing Noosa before the streets were paved, preaches the supremacy of asymmetry, reflects on the birth of the body board, and how Bunker Spreckles' El Rollos' altered his rail designs. Enjoy!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

583 - Randy Hild: A Life Built On Boardshorts Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

In today's show surf biz stalwart Randy Hild details the various false starts at Roxy prior to the inception of their industry-disrupting female boardshort, the tension between scaling and brand authenticity, which parts of the Golden Era were fake and inflated, how a serendipitous Swap Meet discovery led to him becoming an inadvertent surf history archivist, and why 1953 Makaha would be his ultimate time travel destination. Enjoy!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

582 - Bob McTavish: Part Two Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

In today's episode Bob McTavish explains how one of his most iconic designs came to him in a dream and Joey Cabell's influence in it, he shares the inception of the swallowtail, his afternoon spent with Duke Kahanamoku, the epiphany he had at Rincon in 1967, why he renounced competition for a mortgage and children, climbing out of suffocating debt with an assist from the cast of Jackass, the board he most recently made for Kelly, and reveals the unsung surf heroes who most influenced his journey. Part Two of Surf Splendor with Bob McTavish is now available on all podcast platforms.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

581 - Bob McTavish: Part One Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

In today's episode Bob McTavish shares stories from surfing in an era prior to foam cores and surf wax, charts the path from dropping out of school to surf, to being homeless with only $10 to his name, to stowing away on a ship to Hawaii for the North Shore winter, the jail time that resulted, and he reveals the only two surfboards he's ever purchased in his life. Enjoy!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

580 - Jeff Divine Dec 24, 2025

Show notes

Surf photographer and photo editor Jeff Divine's imagery has largely framed our perspective on North Shore surfing from the 70s and 80s. Today he shares stories from the era defining Expression Session in 1971, reveals that he didn't befriend Gerry Lopez until a decade after they had helped build one another's careers, he discusses how the inception of clothing brands altered surf mags editorial style, shares how to showcase personality through still imagery, the best photo he's ever missed, and how he chose his last ever surf session. Enjoy!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

579 - Max Stewart: Eye Symmetry Surfboards Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

In today's show board builder Max Stewart explains the inverse relationship between product quality and business growth, tales from early days at Hayden Shapes, how Tom Carroll has informed how he takes custom orders and why he factors your personality into the order card. Enjoy!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected