The Lineup with Dave Prodan - A Surfing Podcast

Style master Mikey February joins us on the pod. Universally considered one of the most impactful surfers of his generation, Mikey dives into his unique approach to surfing and filmmaking, exploring projects like Sonic Souvenirs, Changing Tempo, and his latest collaboration with Channel Islands and his platform, Spearhead Unlimited, Spearfish. He shares insights into the creation of his new signature surfboard, Feb's Fish, and the history of the iconic fish design and its role in shaping modern surf culture. Mikey also reflects on his time competing on the World Tour and how transitioning to free surfing—with support from Vans—has opened up new creative avenues. We explore his South African roots, the vital role his parents played in his journey, and how his home, culture, and love for art and music inspire his work across the globe. Mikey opens up about fatherhood, the ways it has changed his perspective, and the excitement of welcoming a new child soon. He unveils a harrowing encounter in the water in our newest segment presented by Kraken Rum, Scary Stories of the Sea, before we wrap up with listener questions and The Lightning Round.Learn more about Mikey here and follow him here.Be sure to follow Mikey’s new platform for creative freedom and experimentation, Spearhead Unlimited.Relive the Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championships, Oct 9 - 13.Stay tuned to see who qualifies for the 2025 Championship Tour at the Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco do Brasil, Oct 12 - 20.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

Prolific surf photographer Todd Glaser joins us in our latest episode of The Lineup. Renowned for his stunning oceanic imagery over the past two decades, Todd dives deep into his latest book, Kelly Slater: A Life of Waves. In conversation with Dave, Todd shares the journey of curating some of the most iconic images captured over fourteen years spent on the road with surfing legend Kelly Slater. He reveals his creative process for capturing those perfect shots and discusses the influences of iconic photographers like Steve Sherman and Danny Clinch, exploring how their techniques shape his work both in and out of the water. Todd also reflects on his beginnings as a competitive bodyboarder and how those early experiences ignited his passion for ocean photography, deepening his understanding of swells and bathymetry. He recounts his time at the Brooks Institute, where he connected with fellow creatives while balancing his love for travel and discovery with academic success. As he looks ahead post-book release, Todd teases an exciting potential documentary project and shares his newfound joy in running. He answers your listener questions, including one from Free Nationals bassist and friend of the pod, Kelsey González, reveals the winner of their Pipeline fantasy surfer league, and takes on the Lightning Round!Follow Todd here.Pre-order and purchase Kelly Slater: A Life of Waves here, available October 15!Catch the from the EDP Ericeira Pro Presented By Estrella Galicia.Stay tuned for the Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championships, Oct 9 - 13.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

Dryrobe ambassador and the first female German surfer to ever qualify for the Olympics Camilla Kemp join us on the podcast. Calling in prior to the start of the EDP Ericeira Pro Presented By Estrella Galicia, Camilla talks to us about her competitive mindset for the year, confessing that while initially her goal was to compete in the Challenger Series in 2024, she opted not to do all the events this year in order to focus on preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics in Teahupo’o, understanding how it important it was to her country and her team. She talks about the incredible support she has received from the German Federation, the team she and Tim Elter had around them, and the preparation they had to take in order to be ready to surf a wave like Teahupo’o. She talks about being a Dryrobe ambassador, and their dedication to telling her story through their film together, CAMILLA. She discusses her upbringing, having been born and raised in Portugal to Dutch and German parents, and the struggle of finding her identity. She reveals having once been in the circus, juggling and monocycling until she discovered surfing. Camilla and Dave muse over the unsuspectingly rich surfing culture in Germany, particularly in Munich, home of the Eisbach River, a popular surfing destination for locals and tourists alike. They discuss Camilla surfing in the German Surfing Championships to be held at the newly opened wave system in Munich, the 02 Surftown MUC from October 11 - 13, her involvement in the SWOX Empowerment Surf Retreat, and her goals moving ahead, before closing out the pod with Instagram Questions, revealing the best place to get an apple strudel in Germany, and the Lightning Round.Learn more about Camilla and follow her here.Be sure to go to dryrobe and get your gear for the upcoming winter season.And watch her film CAMILLA here.Stay tuned for the EDP Ericeira Pro Presented By Estrella Galicia, Sep 29 - Oct 6.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

Dryrobe ambassadors, longboard title-contender and shaper of Skindog Surfboards Ben Skinner, and his son, QS campaigner, up-and-coming surfer, and 2023’s Rip Curl Grom Search International Champion Lukas Skinner join us on the podcast. Calling in from France and fresh from Lukas’ win at the Caraïbos Surf de Nuit Anglet presented by Rip Curl, the father and son surfing team discuss Lukas’ first proper year on the QS, their mentality towards his long road to qualification, and him being the first British male to win a Boardmasters event. Ben discusses shaping surfboards for himself and for Lukas with Skindog Surfboards, the support system they have around them, and Lukas making it a goal to get Skindog Surfboards on the Vissla CT Shaper Rankings. They rewind the clock on their upbringing, Ben being born in the island of Jersey, being a high-performing shortboarder at a young age, before switching to longboarding and winning every category in every major British longboard event by age 18. After Ben reveals how he used to keep warm in between sessions in the water by jumping into a warm bucket of water, they share how game changing it is having dryrobe as a sponsor, especially living in an area that can get so cold. Ben and Lukas look ahead to the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic Presented By Modon, Ben’s excitement to compete in Abu Dhabi, and the unique challenges of competing in a wave pool. Lukas shares his excitement to compete in the Rip Curl Pro Anglet while in France and competing in his last pro Junior of the year. They wrap up the podcast by answering listener questions, explain why jam is always first on an English scone, and take turns quick-answering the Lightning Round.Follow Ben Skinner here and Skindog Surfboards here.Follow Lukas here.Be sure to go to dryrobe and get your gear for the upcoming winter season.Catch Ben Skinner at the Abu Dhabi Longboard Classic Presented By Modon, Sep 27 - 29.Stay tuned for the EDP Ericeira Pro Presented By Estrella Galicia, Sep 29 - Oct 6.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

Multi-hyphenate and multi-talented action sports media personality and WSL commentator, Chris Coté, joins us on The Lineup podcast. Calling in from his own podcast HQ, Monday M.A.S.S. with Todd Richards, in San Diego, Chris and Dave dive into the Lexus WSL Finals and Chris’ experience being on the ground there. He relives being amidst the visceral energy emanating throughout the fans who flooded the beach cheering for their favorite surfers at Lowers, and describes it as among one of the most joyful of the WSL Finals we’ve had. He talks about growing up in San Diego, the pride he has seeing Caity Simmers take home the Title for California, and the exposure shaper Chris Borst is receiving from Caity riding his boards exclusively. He marvels at the craftsmanship of surfboards, calling them “functional pieces of art,” and showcases a Pyzel board he just picked up. Chris and Dave get into Chris’ upbringing in San Diego, being sponsored by Chris Borst as a surfer, and his pathway into becoming a professional surfer. He remembers his first encounter with localism in the water on one his first trips to Hawai’i as a pro, his transition into becoming an action sports media professional, at one point becoming the editor-in-chief of TransWorld Surf Magazine, to today getting to do what he calls the “best job in the world.” Chris opens up on his sobriety journey, how it has affected his work for better or worse, and how he manages to stay positive throughout his career. He and Dave muse over the films Chris has produced over the years like High-5 and the TearDevils trilogy, his band SUNBENDR, and his podcast Monday M.A.S.S. with Chris Coté & Todd Richards before he gets into questions from our Instagram community and The Lightning Round.Follow Chris Coté here.Listen to and follow his band Sunbendr.And listen to his podcast Monday M.A.S.S. with Chris Coté & Todd Richards wherever you get your podcasts.Stay tuned for the EDP Ericeira Pro Presented By Estrella Galicia, Sep 29 - Oct 6Join 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

WSL commentator and Lineup co-host Mitchell Salazar returns once again to wrap up an incredible event to crown this year's World Champions from the Lexus Finals. They discuss their winners and losers and John John Florence officially solidifying his dynasty by securing his third World Title and entering the realm of renowned surfers with at least 3x World Titles in Tom Curren, Gabe Medina, Mick Fanning, Andy Irons, Mark Richards, Kelly Slater, Layne Beachley, Carissa Moore, Stephanie Gilmore, and Layne Beachley, Frieda Zamba, Margo Oberg, and Wendy Botha. They also revel at Caity’s incredible performance and her securing her first World Title, officially becoming the youngest World Champion in WSL history. They talk about Italo’s rampaging run through the bracket, his dominating style of surfing, and how it played in his scoring. Things get heated and contentious after Dave and Mitch bring on a couple producers at the WSL to play a Vissla CT Shaper Rankings Fantasy Snake Draft game in the second segment. Finally, Dave and Mitch close the pod by answering your listener questions.Follow Mitch here.Follow Miguel here.Follow Dylan here.Get caught up from the results of the Lexus WSL Finals.Stay tuned to the EDP Ericeira Pro Presented By Estrella Galicia, Sep 29th - Oct 6.Stay up to date with 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

Renowned writer, surf journalist, and Editor-in-Chief of Surfer Magazine, Jake Howard, joins The Lineup. As one of the “premier subject matter experts in the field today,” according to Sports Illustrated, Jake shares his thoughts on the Lexus WSL Finals at Lower Trestles. He and Dave mull over the matchups between the Final 5, which seed would be most advantageous, and just how fast that day goes. They reflect on the periodic generational progression on both the men’s and women’s side of surfing, who they end up seeing having to face John John Florence and Caity Simmers in the Title matches, and share their predictions for this year’s World Champions when it’s all said and done. Jake rewinds the clock to his humble beginnings working for Surfline, recording the surf reports for 976-SURF in the late 90’s, his career trajectory, to his new role now as the editor-In-chief of the bible of surfing. They discuss the relaunch of Surfer Magazine’s print edition after nearly five years in hiatus, how they chose Kelly Slater for the cover, and both Kelly and Carissa Moore writing articles for this issue. Jake answers our listener’s Instagram questions, shares his favorite magazine covers, significant moments that shaped surf history, and what gets him in the mood to write, before closing up the book with his answers to The Lightning Round.Follow Jake here.Be sure to check out the latest edition of Surfer Magazine.Catch the Final 5 battle it out in the water for the World Title at the Lexus WSL Finals, Sep 6 - 14.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

WSL commentator and Lineup co-host Mitchell Salazar returns to break down the final event of the CT season, the Corona Fiji Pro Presented By Bonsoy. They discuss their winners and losers, look ahead to the Lexus WSL Finals at Lower Trestles, and officially crown Matt Biolos the 2024 CT Shaper of the Year.Follow Mitch here.Watch the Top 5 Moments from the Corona Fiji Pro Presented By Bonsoy.Stay tuned to see who will become this year’s World Champion at the Lexus WSL Finals, Sep 6 - 14.Stay up to date with 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

WSL commentator and surf coach Stace Galbraith joins us on The Lineup to talk about the 2024 Corona Fiji Pro Presented By Bonsoy. 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 from those closest to the action on the ground. In our second installment of The Lineup On The Road series, Stace illustrates the glorious environment of Fiji and the relaxed, but high vibes from the surfers. He teases when we can expect to run, chats about hosting Tavarua TV during the off days, and joining the surfers for the “Tavarua Olympics.” He and Dave dive into the gritty competition details, talk about who’s on and off the island, Kelly’s arrival and anticipated performance since his wildcard appearance in Tahiti, and compare Gabriel Medina to Ozzie Wright in Seven Days, Seven Slaves surfing one foot Macaroni’s. They discuss the boards being tested out in the line up and close out the pod with Stace’s picks to win the event. Be sure to watch the Corona Fiji Pro Presented By Bonsoy on worldsurfleague.com and the WSL app!Visit Stace’s website here and follow him here.Be sure to watch the Final 5 deciding event, the Corona Fiji Pro Presented By Bonsoy, Aug 20 - 29.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

North Shore lifeguard and former big wave charger, Dave Wassel, joins us on The Lineup podcast. He describes life as a lifeguard and being part of the North Shore Lifeguard Association. He holds his peers in high esteem, praising their dedication, commitment, and selflessness to jump into action at one of the most treacherous and deadliest waves in the world to save people’s lives. He and Dave talk about the rigorous training one must endure to become a lifeguard on the North Shore, and the vetting process, not only by other lifeguards, but by the community itself. Dave Prodan recalls meeting Dave Wassel for the first time and reminisces about Wassel’s insane wave in the Code Green Swell of the Volcom Fiji Pro of 2012. They reflect back on Wassel’s upbringing, how he got into surfing, lifeguarding, and the heroes he looked up to along the way. Wassel tells the story about how he initially got involved with YETI, how he still has his first ever YETI cooler he’s ever bought, taking pride in the lasting products and the lasting relationships he’s developed from being involved with YETI over the years. Prodan and Wassel look ahead to the Corona Fiji Pro Presented By Bonsoy, breaking down the differences between the main surf spots, Restaurants and Cloudbreak. Wassel shares his stoke for the women’s progression and how excited he is watching the women on tour push the limits of surfing. He rounds out the pod by giving his best advice, answering listener questions, and the Lightning Round.Be sure to follow Dave Wassel on Instagram.Catch the best surfers in the world return to Corona Fiji Pro Presented By Bonsoy, Aug 20 - 29.Watch the best moments from Lexus US Open of Surfing Presented by Pacifico.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