The Lineup with Dave Prodan - A Surfing Podcast

Latest Episodes:

EP 202: Ross Garrett - The origins and innovations of Surfline, New features and Smart Cams on Surfline Premium+, the Importance of discovery and commitment to the “thing” as core values, Ross’ humble beginnings to becoming CEO, Mentors that paved the way Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

Surfline CEO Ross Garrett joins us on The Lineup. Calling in from Nicaragua, Ross checks in with Dave to discuss his role as CEO of Surfline, what they are doing to turbo charge their product and service, and how they can refine the bleeding edge of performance. Ross highlights the ethos of discovery at Surfline and why they do what they do. He talks about the importance of staying connected to the “thing,” always making sure to take time to get in the water and surf, and reminds us of Surfline’s humble beginnings as a 1-900 hotline to having a vast network of cameras all over the globe. He reflects on his own beginnings, cutting his teeth working at Surfer Magazine under Sam George, and his own personal mission to leave surfing better than he found it. He and Dave discuss having and being mentors, remembering the innovators that paved the way, like Surfline Founder Sean Collins, and the voices of surfing today before closing up the pod, answering questions from the Instagram community and our famous Lightning Round.

Be sure to follow Ross on Instagram.

And check out what you can do with Surfline Premium+.

Stay tuned for the Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, Aug 3 - 11.

Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info.

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EP 201: Gerry Lopez & Peter McCabe - Untold stories from G-Land, Pioneering surfing its mythical breaks, “Blue Angels,” G-Land Surf Camp, Peter’s appearance in North Shore, and the Surfers today pushing the caliber of surfing Jul 30, 2024

Show notes

Elder Gods, surfing icons, and early pioneers of the mythical Grajagan, Gerry Lopez and Peter McCabe join us on the The Lineup! Gerry and Peter reminisce on their extended trips to Indonesia that earned them international reputation and fame for their tube riding, crossover surfing, and fearlessness at its virtually perfect waves. They reveal untold stories from East Java, their earliest memories of surfing G-Land, and becoming regulars at the world’s first surf camp there developed by Mike Boyum, G-Land Surf Camp. They discuss surfing for eight to ten hours at a time and eating one meal a day, only after finally coming in from a surf. They reflect on their best memories performing “Blue Angels,” what they called their surfing when they performed crossovers and rode in the tube without ever colliding with each other as they surfed the same wave. They look back on Peter’s history, how he got his start and his competitive stint in surfing, and their appearances in various films throughout their career. They wrap up the conversation astonished by the caliber of surfing today, amazed by its progression since they started, answering listener questions, and giving Peter his first go with the Lightning Round.

Be sure to follow Gerry and Peter on Instagram.

Stay up to date with everyone in Tahiti for the Olympics.

Stay tuned for the Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico, Aug 3 - 11.

Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info.

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EP 200: John John Florence - His one main focus entering 2024, His first Finals appearance and Chances at a third World Title, Repping the USA in Tahiti, Dad life, the Family business of Florence Marine X, YETI, and His 2024 Pyzel quiver breakdown Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

2x World Champion, current World No. 1, Tahiti-bound for USA, new Dad, Founder of Florence Marine X, and YETI ambassador John John Florence drops in on The Lineup to celebrate the 200th episode of the podcast! Dave and John also dive into his mind-blowing performances this year that has led him to the current World No. 1 position on the rankings heading into Fiji and locking his seat at the Lexus WSL Finals at Lower Trestles for a chance at a third World Title. He talks about his mindset entering 2024 and the ups and downs of the competitive surfing life. He reflects on how he went from not being too sure if he was going to compete this year and having “one foot in, one foot out” the past few years to being fully committed heading into 2024. He explains how he is investing in himself, giving surfing the respect he feels it deserves as a competitor, and traveling with his crew to ensure he’s giving it his very best. He talks about representing the USA in Tahiti this year and his mindset going into Teahupo’o. He illustrates his life as a father and how that affected his headspace in competition. He opens up about the importance of support, being the best version of himself for his son, and his family being the most important thing in his life. He discusses bringing his brothers into the family business of Florence Marine X, working with brands like YETI and with long-time shaper Jon Pyzel, before wrapping up the pod with Instagram questions and a second run at the Lightning Round.

Learn more about John John here and follow him here.

Follow the rankings here.

Stay up to date with everyone Tahiti bound for the Olympics.

Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our Youtube channel.

Stay up to date with all things WSL.

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EP 199: Kai Lenny - Life of Kai Season 4, Helmets saving his life, the Importance of mental health, His most bizarre concussion, the Pioneers that paved the way, the Next generation pushing the needle, Fatherhood, and the Confidence of champions Jul 18, 2024

Show notes

8x World SUP Champion, inspired windsurfer, kitesurfer, foiler, big wave surfer, waterman, and Red Bull athlete, Kai Lenny, joins us on the pod. After at least a 16 hour flight with his two-year-old twin toddlers, and a pit stop in LA to accept the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award on behalf of the Maui community at the ESPYs, Kai joins the Lineup with Dave to discuss season 4 of his biopic with Red Bull, Life of Kai. He explains his strongest gut feeling he’s ever had to wear a helmet at Pipe, the very same helmet that ended up saving his life earlier this year. Kai dives deeper into his injuries, the importance of taking tabs on your mental health, and one of the most bizarre micro concussions he’s ever experienced after a wipeout at Jaws in 2018. He and Dave muse over the big wave pioneers, like Shane Dorian, Ian Walsh, and Laird Hamilton, and how their contributions to the sport helped pave the road for the next generation to become even better than their predecessors. He also talks about how being a father makes him more calculated about when he decides to paddle out into big waves, the importance of confidence, and how that is the true talent of every champion in every sport. He reflects back on how exciting it was to be on the ground at Trestles for the WSL Finals in 2023, watching the best surfers in the world compete for the Title, and how stoked he is on the next generation of young girls, like Erin Brooks, Sierra Kerr, Molly Picklum and Caity Simmers charging waves of consequence. Kai argues that best big wave surfers in the world are often great small waves surfers and proposes that Jaws be included as a floating event on the CT before he closes the pod by answering listener questions and the Lightning Round.

Subscribe to Kai Lenny’s YouTube and follow him here.

Watch Red Bull’s Life of Kai Season 4 here.

Support our Maui community by donating to the Maui Pono Foundation.

Stay up to date with everyone Tahiti bound for the Olympics.

Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our Youtube channel.

Stay up to date with all things WSL.

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EP 198: Lauren Spalding - Competitive kayaking and What it’s like doing channel crossings in Hawai’i for fun, Qualifying for the 2004 Olympics, the Addiction to the burn of going the distance and coming across, Rodeo mom life, and Working with YETI Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

Competitive kayaking champion, 2004 Olympian, rodeo mom, and YETI ambassador Lauren Spalding joins us on the podcast. Lauren and Dave discuss her recent bout in the 2024 Kaiwi Solo Challenge, a competitive paddle crossing of the Kaiwi Channel, the treacherous body of water that separates the islands of Moloka’i and O’ahu. Lauren describes the series of events that landed her a second place finish in her division, how she gets her drive to continue competing, and the addiction she has to the burn of going the distance. She reflects on her upbringing, her early years on a canoe, and her father’s influence in her life as a paddler, recounting memories of being mesmerized by her surroundings and appreciating the priceless experiences she’s been able to have. She talks about working with YETI and the relationships she’s built with other ambassadors like musician and fly-fisher J.T. Van Zandt, and details her viscerally excruciating experience padding the Texas Water Safari with him. Lauren recounts her training and qualifying for the 2004 Olympics in Greece, the organized chaos of life as a rodeo mom, and proudly talks about how the resilient community of Maui have come together to rebuild since the tragic fires of 2023. She and Dave wrap it all up by answering Instagram questions from our listeners and the rapid-fire Lightning Round.

Learn more about Lauren and follow her here.

Catch the highlights from the Ballito Pro Presented By O’Neill.

Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our Youtube channel.

Stay up to date with all things WSL.

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EP 197: Mitchell Salazar - Recapping Rio, Winners & Losers of the event, Italo’s dominance, The “Women’s Youth Brigade,” Vissla CT Shaper Rankings Update, and Listener Questions Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

WSL commentator and Lineup co-host Mitchell Salazar is back to recap the VIVO Rio Pro Presented By Corona. While still on the ground in Rio, Mitch joins Dave on the The Lineup to break down the event. They discuss their winners and losers, Italo’s dominance throughout the event, the showcasing of the young women on tour, and Jordy Smith still being a World Title contender in his 17th year on tour. Mitch and Dave give us the Vissla CT Shaper Rankings update, all but declaring Matt Biolos and the …Lost team riders a shoo-in for the Shaping World Title. They discuss the odds and ends of the event, answer listener questions, and look ahead to the Ballito Challenger Series event.

Follow Mitch here.

Watch the Top 5 Moments from the VIVO Rio Pro Presented By Corona.

Catch the next Challenger Series event, the Ballito Pro Presented By O'Neill, Jul 1 - Jul 8

Stay up to date with the Vissla CT Shaper Rankings.

Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info.

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RE-AIR: Joao Chianca - His debut at the Billabong Pro Pipeline, A massive North Shore winter, The year that changed everything, The road to the Championship Tour, Performing at Pipe, His surfing family, and Big goals for his rookie year Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

This week, we are re-airing our episode from 2022 with then rookie standout, Joao Chianca. Championship Tour rookie Joao Chianca joins the podcast to talk about making his debut at the Billabong Pro Pipeline. He recaps his huge winter on the North Shore, enjoying an amazing run of swell, staying at the Volcom house for the first time, and competing in his first career event. He breaks down how he prepared for Pipeline, how he took a short break to recharge for the season, and how different it is surfing in heats with one other person versus free surfing with hundreds of people in the lineup. He looks back at his road to the CT, growing up in Saquarema with his big wave surfing brother Lucas Chianca, idolizing Gabriel Medina and Adriano de Souza, competing and traveling the Qualifying Series with Samuel Pupo and Mateus Herdy, and his life-changing 2019 that eventually led to qualifying for the tour at Haleiwa last year. Joao also touches on making the switch to riding Channel Islands boards, the challenges of competing at places he’s never surfed before, and his big goals for his rookie year.

Learn more about Joao and follow him here.

Watch him live at the VIVO Rio Pro Presented By Corona, June 22 - 30th on worldsurfleague.com.

Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our Youtube channel.

Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info.

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EP 196: Mitchell Salazar - Unwrapping Punta Roca, Winners & Losers, John John’s demonstrable versatility in all waves, …Lost Surfboard’s phenomenal lead in the Rankings, Listener Questions, and His highly acclaimed wave at La Bocana Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

WSL commentator and Lineup co-host Mitchell Salazar returns to The Lineup to share his insights from the ground in El Salvador. Fresh after finishing in the first half of the window for the first time at an event this year, Mitch returns to podcast with Dave to break down what Punta Roca was all about - the endless point break waves on tap throughout the event resulting in spectacular surfing by the world’s best. They laud John John’s demonstrable versatility, skill, and prowess in all waves after taking the win in El Salvador, Yago’s ascension, Caroline Marks defending her Title, and the surfers who are stepping up after seeing several surfers step away from tour. They analyze …Lost Surfboard’s incredible lead in the Vissla CT Shaper Rankings, what other programs and board builders must do if they hope for a shot at the “Shaping World Title” in 2024, and the types of boards and fins ridden in Punta Roca. They run through Listener Questions, give the Vissla CT Shaper Rankings Update, and discuss Mitch’s highly acclaimed wave at La Bocana.

Follow Mitch here.

Watch the Top 5 Moments from the Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented By Corona.

Catch the world’s best surfers at the 8th event of the season in the VIVO Rio Pro Presented By Corona, June 22 - 30

Stay up to date with the Vissla CT Shaper Rankings.

Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info.

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EP 195: Liam O’Brien - His new film with Yago Dora and Matt McGillivray, El Paraíso, The hunger for the winning feeling, Developing boards with Shaper, Darren Handley, and Getting barrelled in Fiji being at the top of the list Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

Australia’s very own, Liam O’Brien, joins us on the pod. Liam talks about growing up in Australia and shares his stoke on Snapper returning to the CT in 2025. He reflects on being a young grom, going down to the coast to get pro surfers like Jordy Smith’s autograph, and how crazy it is to look back to now competing against the very same surfers he admires. He describes traveling on the tour, the undeniable intimidation factor at waves like Pipe, and how that fear turns into a desire to overcome the challenge. He and Dave discuss his new film with Yago Dora and Matt McGillivrary, El Paraíso, experiencing the culture and waves throughout the country, and how there is really no shortage of waves in El Salvador. Liam chats about his time working with Darren Handley at the DHD warehouse, stickering Mick’s boards, and his journey to the CT. They muse on his board selection over the next few events, which event he’s looking forward to getting barrelled at most, answer listener questions, and get his take on The Lightning Round.

Learn more about Liam and follow him here.

Catch the Top 5 Moments from the Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented By Corona..

Watch El Paraíso here.

Stay up to date with the Vissla CT Shaper Rankings.

Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info.

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

EP 194: Mitchell Salazar - Unpacking the historic events from Tahiti, The best women’s heat EVER?, Tati’s 10, Vahine’s first CT win as a Wildcard, Powerful performances from both the men and women, The Shaper Rankings update, and Instagram Fan Questions Jun 04, 2024

Show notes

WSL commentator and Lineup co-host Mitchell Salazar is back to recap the historic event of the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro Presented By Outerknown. Mitch and Dave rave over the pristine conditions at Teahupo’o and the level of performance that followed, Tati’s insane 10-point ride, Brisa’s consistent performance throughout the event, and Vahine representing the Tahitian community with her Wildcard win at home. They discuss the incredible performances on the men’s side, Gabriel making scoring excellent rides look easy, John John’s relaxed comfort at this size in Tahiti, and Ramzi proving he belongs at this level of competition. They muse over the current Vissla CT Shaper Rankings post-Tahiti, reveal their predictions for El Salvador, and round out the pod by answering listener questions.

Follow Mitch here.

Watch the highlights from the SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro Presented By Outerknown.

Catch the world’s best surfers surf the same swell that hit Tahiti in the Surf City El Salvador Pro Presented By Corona, June 6 - 15.

Stay up to date with the Vissla CT Shaper Rankings.

Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info.

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