The Lineup with Dave Prodan - A Surfing Podcast

The first Portuguese surfer to ever qualify for the Championship Tour, surfing legend Tiago Pires joins us on The Lineup. Calling in from his post-competitive venture, Twin Fin Agency, Tiago takes us through his transition from World Tour competitor to athlete management, social media strategy, and event organization. He opens up about the mental toll of his final year on tour, how fatherhood shifted his perspective, and what it was like growing up as a surfer in 1990s Lisbon. We dive into Supertubos ahead of the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented by Corona Cero, breaking down what makes the wave so unpredictable, the conditions to expect, and who’s looking dangerous in the lineup. Tiago also takes us back to his roots—overcoming childhood fear of the ocean, the stoke from catching his first wave, and the relentless drive that pushed him from Portugal’s small surf scene to international success. We wrap things up with answering your Instagram questions and a rapid-fire Lightning Round.Learn more about Tiago here and follow him herePlay WSL CT Fantasy contest and join The Lineup Podcast Mega League for a chance to win! Terms and Conditions apply.Stay tuned for the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented By Corona Cero, Mar 15 - 25.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.**Visit this page if you’ve been affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, and would like to volunteer or donate. Our hearts are with  you.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special collaboration episode between The Lineup and The Double-Up Podcast, Dave and Double-Up hosts Rachael Tilly and Shannon Hughes dive into the evolution of women’s surfing. From its scrappy QS days to the world-class performances we’re witnessing today, the women’s tour has undergone massive transformations, shifting locations, raising the stakes, and proving that when given the right waves, female surfers rise to the occasion. The hosts discuss how media coverage has shaped the sport, the importance of storytelling in keeping women’s surfing at the forefront, and the growing depth of talent across generations. We take a close look at Caity Simmers and the conversation around her influence and whether she is the most important surfer in the world right now. The discussion also covers the ever-intensifying world title race, the evolution of rivalries, and whether younger surfers are truly pushing out the veterans or simply forcing them to elevate their game. Beyond competition, we examine the broader sustainability of professional surfing as a career for women. With more opportunities than ever, is the path to a long-term career in the sport finally viable? As the industry shifts, what role does the surf community play in ensuring continued progress? From Pipeline’s proving grounds to the new generation redefining the sport, this episode is packed with insight, passion, and a raw look at where women’s surfing stands today. Tune in for a conversation that challenges the status quo and celebrates the bright future ahead.Listen to The Double-Up Podcast and follow them here.Follow Rachael Tilly here.Follow Shannon Hughes here.Play WSL CT Fantasy contest and join The Lineup Podcast Mega League for a chance to win! Terms and Conditions apply.Stay tuned for the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented By Corona Cero, Mar 15 - 25.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.**Visit this page if you’ve been affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, and would like to volunteer or donate. Our hearts are with you.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

805 Beer Authentico and powerhouse surfer Lakey Peterson joins us on the pod from Brazil. We catch up with Lakey and discuss her working with Leandro Dora, who has given her fresh eyes on her surfing. Lakey also opens up about Making Waves, her new film with 805 Beer and fellow Santa Barbaran Morgan Maassen, reflecting on the thrill of competitive surfing, the heartbreaks, and the motivation she is still feeling today. Being awarded the 2025 Season wildcard, Lakey is back on tour after just barely missing the cut in 2024 and shares her mindset shift. She discusses working with her long-time shaper Britt Merrick, the evolution of her equipment with Channel Islands, and what it really takes to win in today’s ultra-competitive field. She answers your Instagram questions, reveals her go-to pre-heat songs, and tackles the Lightning Round.Learn more about Lakey here and follow here hereWatch her latest film Making Waves with 805 Beer here.Play WSL CT Fantasy contest and join The Lineup Podcast Mega League for a chance to win! Terms and Conditions apply.Stay tuned for the MEO Rip Curl Pro Portugal Presented By Corona Cero, Mar 15 - 25.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.**Visit this page if you’ve been affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, and would like to volunteer or donate. Our hearts are with  you.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following her win at the 2025 TUDOR Nazaré Big Wave Challenge, this week we are re-airing Ep. 35 of The Lineup with Justine Dupont.Big Wave surfer and waterwoman Justine Dupont discusses her diverse skill set in the water, how falling off the Championship Tour led to her Big Wave career, the Jaws invite that changed everything, paddle surfing versus tow surfing, and her best and worst Big Wave experiences.Follow Justine here.Play WSL CT Fantasy contest and join The Lineup Podcast Mega League for a chance to win! Terms and Conditions apply.Relive the 2025 TUDOR Big Wave Challenge.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.**Visit this page if you’ve been affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, and would like to volunteer or donate. Our hearts are with you.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mitchell Salazar and Dave Prodan return to the pod to recap the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro. For the first time ever and for the second event of the season, the Championship Tour landed in Abu Dhabi. Mitch and Dave break down all the standout performances… and the not so standout ones as the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro delivered a wild mix of high-performance surfing. They talk through all the unexpected challenges and wave pool surprises like onshore winds, sandstorms, and water photographers that threw the competitors a curveball. They discuss who thrived in the unique wave pool conditions, who struggled to find their rhythm, and what this event revealed about the evolving dynamics of competitive surfing. They also dive into the latest shakeups in the Vissla CT Shaper Rankings, answer your fan questions, and reveal your Lineup Podcast Mega League fantasy leaderboard.Follow Mitch here.Play WSL CT Fantasy contest and join The Lineup Podcast Mega League for a chance to win! Terms and Conditions apply.Rewatch the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro.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.**Visit this page if you’ve been affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, and would like to volunteer or donate. Our hearts are with  you.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senior Director of Surf Experience at Surf Abu Dhabi and former Championship Tour surfer Mitch Crews joins us on the pod. With the CT descending on the region, Mitch shares his insights on who’s been standing out in practice—like Jack Robinson, Filipe Toledo, Ethan Ewing, and Samuel Pupo—and breaks down the high-stakes, pressure-cooker, exposing nature of wave pool competitions. Mitch and Dave dive into the groundbreaking technology behind Surf Abu Dhabi, home to the first public Kelly Slater Wave System. He explains what it was like to build the team of this world-class surf destination from scratch, refine the ultimate artificial saltwater wave, and collaborate with engineers and hospitality crews to create an unforgettable surf experience. Dave also pulls up the heat draw from Mitch’s first CT event at Snapper Rocks in 2014, as they wind the clock back to his competitive roots—from growing up on Australia’s Sunshine Coast to battling legends like Julian Wilson, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson, Kelly Slater, Taj Burrow, Josh Kerr, Jordy Smith, and more. Mitch reflects on life in the UAE, his deep appreciation for Emirati culture, and his brother Alex’s work shaping ACSOD Surfboards, before wrapping up with your fan questions from Instagram and the Lightning Round.Follow Mitch here.Play WSL CT Fantasy contest and join The Lineup Podcast Mega League for a chance to win! Terms and Conditions apply.Watch the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, Feb 14 - 16.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.**Visit this page if you’ve been affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, and would like to volunteer or donate. Our hearts are with you.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WSL Commentator and part-time co-host Mitchell Salazar returns to rundown the Lexus Pipe Pro Presented By YETI. We’re back, and the 2025 Lexus Pipe Pro did not disappoint! After navigating through tricky forecasts and running until the last day of the event window, the waves turned up, and so did the performances. Mitch and Dave discuss their Winners & Losers, breaking down everything from the major upsets, Kelly Slater proving age is just a number, the dominance of the Channel Islands team, and how rookies like Joel Vaughan, Bella Kenworthy, Ian Gouveia, Alan Cleland Jr., and George Pittar made major statements. They talk about two-time World Champ Tyler Wright taking her second win at Pipeline, making history as the first woman to have to two Pipe Pro Titles, and revel over Barron Mamiya’s performance, becoming the first male since Andy Irons in ‘05 and ‘06 to go back-to-back titles at Pipe, putting himself in elite company. We dive into the Vissla CT Shaper Rankings with Channel Islands leading the charge, and …Lost’s lackluster performance in the rankings. Finally, we reveal your Pipe Fantasy winners through The Lineup Podcast Mega League and hit your Instagram Fan Questions, answering if Barron Mamiya is the best out at Pipe today. Follow Mitch here.Play WSL CT Fantasy contest and join The Lineup Podcast Mega League for a chance to win! Terms and Conditions apply.Relive the Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI through the 805 Post ShowStay tuned for the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, Feb 14 - 16.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.**Visit this page if you’ve been affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, and would like to volunteer or donate. Our hearts are with you.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from the North Shore, Momentum Generation icon, highly-acclaimed surf coach, and WSL commentator-extraordinaire Ross Williams joins Dave Prodan in today’s episode of The Lineup On The Road. Straight from the ground, the On The Road audio-only format aims to bring you quicker, deeper and better insight by checking in with our commentators and experts on-site at our various WSL events and airing these episodes as quickly as possible. These are the stories, the background, and the behind-the-scenes information from those closest to the action on the ground. Ross and Dave dive into his transition to step away from full-time coaching in order to spend more time with his family, and his ever-evolving role in the world of professional surfing. Ross reflects on his 2024 intentions, and recounts the highlights of an unforgettable season, including Tatiana’s incredible performance in Tahiti and John’s historic third World Title, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest athletes. Ross opens up about his own experiences as a competitor, including missed opportunities, and how they have shaped his coaching philosophy and his belief in the sharpness required to excel in the intense 30-minute heat format. We muse over the season, starting at Pipeline, the tricky forecast on the horizon, and surfers needing to adjust to its ever-changing conditions and the courage required to excel there. Ross and Dave explore the changes to the Championship Tour schedule, the pressure rookies face, and the incredible progression of women’s surfing. Ross reflects on Kelly Slater’s decision to take a Pipe wildcard and his enduring passion for competition. He and Dave break down the importance of dialing in equipment for athletes, the evolution of surfboard materials, and his collaborative work with legendary shaper Eric Arakawa. He shares his thoughts on the 2022 Finals, the Vissla CT Shaper Rankings, and the rising intensity and pressure of competition at the wave pool venues. Packed with stories, insights, and reflections, Ross offers a fascinating look at the 2025 Championship Tour season through his experienced and thoughtful perspective.Follow Ross here.Catch the start of the 2025 Championship Tour season at the Lexus Pipe Pro Presented By YETI, Jan 27 - Feb 8.Join The Lineup Podcast Mega League Fantasy!Stay up to date with all the 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

In this episode of The Lineup, we explore the life and craft of legendary surfboard shaper Eric Arakawa. From his roots in Pearl City, Hawaii, to becoming a celebrated name in surfboard design, Eric shares his journey of passion, perseverance, and innovation. He offers a candid look at life on the North Shore when the surfing world descends and casts its attention on surfing’s Mecca, discussing the unique mix of excitement and challenges the start of the surf season brings. Eric reflects on the evolution of his craft, recounting how he started shaping boards at just 14 years old, reclaiming Island Classics, his experience with Hawaiian Island Creations, and the transformative impact of technology like CNC machines on board building. He highlights the importance of collaboration, sharing memorable stories about working with pros like Michae Ho and the late, great Derek Ho, 3x World Champion Andy Irons, Megan Abubo, Jack Robinson, Kanoa Igarshi, and more, and the indispensable contributions of his team, including Shayden Piccaro and Alonso Correa. Eric also opens up about his personal growth, detailing how he overcame self-doubt and rediscovered his love for shaping, finding new purpose and vision in his work. Now looking ahead to his next chapter, Eric reflects on the legacy he’s building, the importance of his factory team, and the joy of seeing his boards perform on the world stage.Follow Eric here.Join the Lineup Podcast Mega Fantasy League here.Relive the World Junior Championships Presented by Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, Jan 13 - 19.Stay tuned to the start of the Championship Tour season at the Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI, Jan 27 - Feb 8.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.**Please see this sheet as a resource if you’ve been affected by the Los Angeles fires, or if you'd like to donate, support, or volunteer. Our hearts are with  you.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our first episode back of The Lineup podcast, commentator extraordinaire and part-time Lineup co-host Mitchell Salazar returns to dive into a mix of topics to kick off 2025. We start things off with Winners and Losers of the off-season, highlighting rookie sensations, Vans Pipe Masters, Nathan Florence having ‘a moment,’ and wondering where the hell is Kelly Slater? Now in its junior year, we reintroduce the return of the Vissla CT Shaper Rankings and explore major team shakeups, bold predictions for the Lexus Pipe Pro, and whether Mayhem can maintain its dominance against rising competition. We answer your very own hot topic fan questions like whose World Title win between Caity Simmers’ and Caroline Marks’ is more historic, Erin Brooks’ rookie year potential, and whether Florence’s latest film, Here & There, is CGI. We also speculate on wildcard picks, reflect on the best in high-performance surfing, and celebrate the return of iconic tour stops.Follow Mitch here.**Please see this sheet as a resource if you’ve been affected by the Los Angeles fires, or if you'd like to donate, support, or volunteer. Our hearts are with you.**Catch the World Junior Championships Presented by Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, Jan 13 - 19.Stay tuned to the start of the Championship Tour season at the Lexus Pipe Pro Presented by YETI, Jan 27 - Feb 8.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