Stevie Sawyer- South Africa's World Longboard Champ.

THE COMEBACK EPISODE

After almost two years of a sabbatical-esque break, I am back with a BANGER for all of you longboard nerds!

Taylor Jensen is one of my and many peoples favorite longboarders to watch. And for good reason. One of his surfing strengths that separate him from other great world class longboarders is his fluidity connecting every maneuver within a ride with grace, speed and power. A three time LB World Champ, now reaching his 4th decade in age, he seeks with ambition and determination a WC number 4. This one though has a different aspect to it. 
WSL LB competition has changed its esthetic of performance. The three time World Champ has made some adaptations to conform with the LB Tour of today. A more classic and traditional approach of longboard surfing. He had success in 2023 but things at the end did not go his way. What will 2024 bring for Mr. Jensen?

Topics:
The WSL LB Tour
Jensen's Competitive Longboarding Transition
Longboard Design
Reader's Questions
Etiquette
Divisiveness in the LB Community 
Comp LBders vs Free Surf LBders
Comnpetition Longboarding of the Past.

Enjoy!!!!!

February 2022, life takes me to Kauai, HI for a nice vacation stay in the North Shore. Few weeks prior to arrival I do a quick brainstorm session on who might be in the Hawaiian Garden Isle that could be a great guest for my podcast, maybe 15 seconds into my brainstorm session I thought  "wait isn't Billy Hamilton from Kauai?!"
A quick internet search provided a  phone number for Bill. I left a voicemail and 24 hours later I was speaking to the man himself, the legend, The Matador.
A date and hour was set and I had an interview with one of the most influential surfers of any generation. Surfer Magazine in 1985 mentioned BH in an article as one of "25 Surfers Whose Surfing Changed The Sport" as referenced on EOS  https://eos.surf/
Unfortunately, Billy and I had some time constraints, we had an hour and change to talk months worth of surfing history, surfboard design and personal surf anecdotes. I had to cherry pick carefully what we were to talk about, what topics would my audience prefer to hear?, what questions would lead to interesting and insightful answers from a surfing legend?
The day came and I had a list of questions and topics as I usually do for my interviews and I knew the list was way too vast to conduct in an hour, so I opted anxiously, to just let the interview unfold and let it be. Well, my attempt to relax a bit and let the surf gods take care of business actually made me more stressed. I was to be dropped off at Billy's place by my party that consisted of my wife, our 7 month old baby and friends. The Crownovers sensed my tension and stress leading to the interview, because it was obvious. To give  context and justify my behaviors  to our non-surfing friends from the the Midwest who happen to be basketball fans, I told them I was about to interview the.....Kareem Abdul Jabbar of surfing, a legend of legends. They understood.

Upon arrival, Billy welcomed me with plenty of aloha and an ice cold brewski, good to settle down and hit the record button. We had a good conversation that I hope you guys enjoy. I had my occasional brain fart and some language speed bumps but all in all, I am stoked with our interview.

See you in da wata,
2p

Topics:
Beginnings
Longboards In The Sixties
Shapers In His Life
The Pivotal Times
1966 World Championships  San Diego
Nat Young and Magic Sam
Surfboards Hawaii- Stylist 1 and 2
Longboards Fades Out
Surf Culture/Etiquette
Futuristic Innovation
The Ten
Shoutouts

Bill Hamilton Book Coming End of 2022
Stay Tuned!!!!!!

DONATIONS
The Longboardarian Podcast:
Paypal- tupicabrera@gmail.com

Contributors:
www.sin-min.com
10% discount on any order using code longboardarian.
Free Shipping in the US on orders $50 and up!Venmo- tupi-cabrera

The Longboardarian Podcast Official Song- The Ilagan Sisters "Stokey Feel".

Episode dedicated to the memory, family and friends of Peter Cole and Johnny Fain.
RIP

As I prepared for the TP interview, I learned some interesting facts about Tommy. One thing in particular caught me by surprise. The man that I had been following for the last few years on Instagram to satisfy my need of consuming beautiful longboarding imagery, was somewhat a newcomer to the art of surfing photography. Based on the incredible and mesmerizing pictures, I would have guessed he had been in the profession for a few decades and perhaps graduated from some fancy photography academy. TP's story is a great example for anyone that has an interest and curiosity of learning something new but might feel intimidated or insecure to follow through. If you set your mind and heart, you will make it happen! That is how Tommy rolls.

The following is a synopsis on TP from his About section on his website www.pineapplesunrise.com
"Originally from the Chicago area, Tommy Pierucki has been a Hawaii resident since 2013. Ever since first getting on a surfboard at Baby Queens in Waikiki in the early 2000s, he’s been determined to spend the rest of his days giving back to, enjoying, and capturing the beauty of the islands and it’s amazing people. This love drew him to work with AccesSurf, a charitable organization that helps connect those with physical and/or cognitive disabilities to the ocean. 

Tommy’s interest in photography first truly took hold January 2018, and since then he had been featured on the the cover of Pacific Longboarder Magazine‘s 100th issue and published in Freesurf Magazine, premiered a film in the 2019 Honolulu Museum of Art Surf Film Festival as a #RisingTide filmmaker, has been a featured artist at the Green Room and currently at Koko Marina, was requested to photograph celebrities like Tom Holland (Spider-man), Halsey, and Lily Chee as they surfed, is a Toes on the Nose ambassador, and has had his photography featured by brands like Roxy, RVCA, Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaii Magazine, Honolulu Magazine, Japan Airlines, Billabong, Carver Skateboards, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Aqua Aston, The Surfjack Hotel, Outrigger Waikiki, Coconut Waikiki, Shoreline Hotel Waikiki, Pearl Hotel Waikiki, DoubleTree Alana, AxisGo, Aquatech Imaging Solutions, Immersion Surf Magazine, Tori Richard, Hawaii Theatre, and Prana."

Thanks Tommy for your time and inspiration, thank you listeners for putting your ears on my episodes!

See you in da wata!
Enjoy!

For private surf shoots and/or surf photography art prints connect with @tommypierucki on Instagram or his website www.pineapplesunrise.com



Donations for The Longboardarian Podcast:
Paypal- tupicabrera@gmail.com
Venmo- tupi-cabrera
or use www.ko-fi.com/longboardarian . Super Easy!

Advertising or Shoutouts on future episodes?
Email me at longboardarian@gmail.com for info.
YOUR SUPPORT CONTRIBUTES TO THE LONG-TERM  LIFE OF THIS PODCAST.

Contributors:
www.sin-min.com
10% discount on any order using code longboardarian.
Free Shipping in the US on orders $50 and up!

www.skyviewmortgage.com
805-834-1150
Lance Wolesagle
Free phone call consultation on anything Mortgage.

WARNING- LOADED EPISODE!!!
Arguably, one of the best longboarders in the world of the last few decades, IF... we are judging noseriding as an important component of a longboarders repertoire. During the process of producing this episode I was watching video footage of Mr. Lee to refresh my memory of his insane longboard riding capabilities and boy was I mesmerized of his surfing.
 Link here- https://vimeo.com/245066103
The technicality and level of difficulty of his noseriding is that of complete mastery.

Jai Billy Lee AKA The Dark Lord is from Noosa Heads, Australia. There he is raising his beautiful family and makes a living as a professional painter. He is also a surfing entrepreneur, he owns The Malady Mass surf brand. The brand is a reflection of his personal style of goth culture. Kinda like surfing meets goth. Check his stuff out at www.themaladymass.com !
At 37 years young he is still a force to be reckoned with. Though recovering from a horrendous work accident,  you will see him in the Noosa Heads breakers turning heads right and left.
This episode is a complete longboarding geek-out session!

Enjoy and
See you in the wata!
Hablamos,
Tupi

Topics:
His Longboarding Beginnings.
The Malady Mass.
Status Quo of Longboarding.
Legropes.
Longboarding Influences.
Longboard Design.
Jai's LB Model- The Ursula.
Fins.
Thomas Surfboards.
Aussie vs. USA Longboarding Approaches.
Boss Surfboards Story.
Longboard Culture.
Much More!!!!!

Donations for The Longboardarian Podcast:
Paypal- tupicabrera@gmail.com
Venmo- tupi-cabrera
or use www.ko-fi.com/longboardarian . Super Easy!

Advertising or Shoutouts on future episodes?
Email me at longboardarian@gmail.com for info.
YOUR SUPPORT CONTRIBUTES TO THE LONG-TERM  LIFE OF THIS PODCAST.

Contributors:
www.sin-min.com
10% discount on any order using code longboardarian.
Free Shipping in the US on orders $50 and up!

www.skyviewmortgage.com
805-834-1150
Lance Wolesagle
Free phone call consultation on anything Mortgage.

I dedicate this episode to all of my supporters of the Longboardarian brand. Thank you for your Aloha!

I was brought up to respect my elders. Though I am respectful, most of the time ( I fault here and there lol), with everyone, there is an extra layer of admiration that I have for those who have experienced life and its challenges to their senior years. And if someones life experiences involve surfing.... boy, you gotta my attention and ears. In that context, 
what if ....you are an individual that experienced the evolution of surfing , surf culture and its history by being part of it, in a bigger way than most. Then I am dumbfounded!
Our interview on this episode is of such a man and surfer, an individual with an immense history of surfing accomplishments and stories. His footprints are marked eternally in the books of surfing.
Due to time constraints I had to cut the interview short but not without promising Mr. Strauch that I would reach out for a second recording of his surfing memories and tales. Next time I want to do it in person so I can shake his hand and perhaps catch some waves with the man.



Topics:
Beginnings
Waikiki 40's and 50's
Duke Kahanamoku
Tom Blake Custom Surfboard
Surf Teachings of George Downing
Surfing the North Shore for the First time
Californians in Hawaii
Game Changer Boards
Al Nelson Surfboards
Barry Kanaiaupuni
The Aikau's
The Ten Rapid Fire Segment
Listeners Questions
Shoutouts

Thanks to Brandon Strauch in coordinating and helping out in making this interview possible. I owe you a wave and a beer!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Enjoy!!!!

Thanks to our sponsor Sin-Min for joining the podcast with an offer and deal for our listeners. When you purchase any of their great products the podcast will get a commission and you will get a special discount. Use code "longboardarian" at checkout for a 10 % discount and if you order $50 or more you will get free shipping! I love their aluminum free deodorant, it works! Plus you smell like a Cinnabon! Lol. 
www.sin-min.com

If you enjoyed this episode and want more longboardlecious episodes for the future please consider donating, purchasing any of our merch or a simple rating or review wherever you listen to this podcast is immensely helpful.

As a young man in my early 20's in Puerto Rico (1990's), before the advent of social media and the internet, I was a passionate and fever-laden  longboarder. My only access to longboarding content were VHS videos at my local surf shop and the arrival of Longboard Magazine every three months. That magazine was a bible to me.
My excitement in setting up and conducting an interview with the man that had such strong involvement with the mag that influenced the course  of my life was...... indescribable. 
I am confident to say that many of you, especially of my generation and older individuals of our community, were fans of LM.
Jim Russi was born and raised in Southern California. He learned to surf at a young age (1960's) in the Manhattan Beach area of Los Angeles County. He became interested in photography in middle school and that interest became a passion/profession  that took him around the world. He graduated from The Brooks Institute of Photography. In 1978 he took a one week vacation, post graduation, to Oahu, Hawaii. He arrived from that vacation forty years later. A proud resident of Hawaii for forty years, his contributions to surfing photography and his local surf community have brought him countless blessings and strong friendships in the surf world.
His surf photography has been published in most if not all of the top surfing magazines in the world. Cover shots, two page spreads, single full page, you name it! His work has been printed and seen!
In the early 90's he was approached by Longboard Magazine founder Guy Motil and was offered the job of Senior Photographer. He was instrumental in that capacity and contributed to the growth and fan base of the magazine. He traveled around the world with some of the top longboarding talents of the time, bringing to the longboard community the photos and stories of those adventures.
In the late 90's Jim teamed up with Roxy and created a series of highly successful advertising campaigns that may have impacted the popularity of women's surfing especially with longboarding. Some of those ads included the surfing talents of Kassia Meador, Daize Shayne, Kelia Moniz and many others.
Jim is a family man, that now lives in Ventura, CA. He is semi retired, raising his two teenage sons, surfing and attending another one of his passions, horses.
I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.

nos vemos en el agua,
Tupi Cabrera

Topics:
His Beginings
Longboard Magazine
Tyler Hatzikian Logs Massive Tavarua
Working with Teenage Joel Tudor in Puerto Escondido
Localism
Surf Culture
The Roxy Campaign
How to Surf Malibu
Listeners Questions
The Ten Rapid Fire Segment
Shoutouts and more!

THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY-
MANHANDLERS
CBD Infused Beard and Skin Oil
Minimal Effort, Maximum Effect!
Great for that after shave soothing sensation and treatment.
-No more razor burns
-Reduce Inflammation 
-Speed Up Healing of Nicks and Cuts
- Alleviate Acne
www.manhandlersgrooming.com
Instagram- manhandlersgrooming
USE CODE TUPI10
For $10 discount on your order!

Support The Longboardarian Podcast and productions via-
www.ko-fi.com/longboardarian
Your support will help me produce more longboardlecious content!

 Originally from Southern California, this shaper/surfer, musician, super Mom and entrepreneur is part of the strong surfing community of Santa Cruz, CA.
She has established a strong presence and a positive reputation in the surfboard manufacturing world. She has proactively pursued methods of building surfboards that cause less harm to our planet and environment. Her board designs and shapes are a product of decades of R&D and influences from her favorite shapers. Ashley Lloyd Surfboards is the name of her surfboard brand, she has an excellent variety of models. From longboards to mid-lengths to fishes, when I went to her website I had to hold my thoughts at bay and not order a longboard, lol.
Ashley is also a skilled and avid musician, she studied music in college and has been part of different musical projects and bands.
As a single Mom she balances life between her son, surfing, shaping, music and a new entrepreneurial project www.unfurling.com .
It was a great pleasure to interview Ashley and learn from her perspectives on surfboard design and surf culture.

Topics:
Background
Being A Shaper
Shaper Mentors
Eco Board Building
Surfboard Design
Surf Etiquette and Hierarchies
Listeners Questions
The Ten

If you are enjoying my content please consider donating. It will contribute to the sustainability and long term life of Longboardarian. You can do so by going to 
www.ko-fi.com/longboardarian and leave me a tip. Its easy! I promise!

If you are a surf history nerd and are curious and willing to listen to a different perspective on one of the most controversial surfing icons in history, you are in for a treat.
The author of The Surf Sting goes by the name of
Linda Cuy, she is a native of Southern California and her surfing journey began in 1962.
Once  upon a day in the sixties, as she was drying up by her car after a surf session 
Miki "Da Cat" Dora approached her and invited her to a date, the rest of the decades long story is now history and in this interview Linda relates to us her experiences, anecdotes and close relationship with Miki and another colorful individual and charlatan, 
Don "Pirate Captain" Wilson. Both men were strongly persistent for Linda's companionship, to the point of hate and violent actions between each other.
On this interview/conversation I ask Linda many questions and at times I press her on different matters that she was involved in with these two questionable and adventurous  characters. It was a fun and insightful conversation. 
The book is ultra entertaining and it gives you a clearer understanding on Miki Dora and his ways. Her stories with Don Wilson are as epic and dramatic as what she experienced with Dora. A great read!

I hope you enjoy!
Tupi

The book is available on Amazon. Keywords -The Surf Sting by Linda Cuy.

You can support The Longboardarian Podcast by visiting
 www.ko-fi.com/longboardarian
Its super easy! I promise!
Also, leave a review in whichever platform you are using to listen to our podcast, its is of great help and its much appreciated.

Topics-
Relationship with Miki Dora and Don Wilson.
Reasons of Writing the Book.
The Great Scams.
Miki and Racism.
Running from the Law.
The Life of  Manipulations.
Global Surf Travel.
Ireland
and Much More!!!

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Phil Becker and Mike Eaton

Surfing is very rich in history. It's a fact that the Hobie Surfboards label is a crucial and important part of that history, especially in the context of surfboard building and surf culture.
Our guest for this episode was given the honor and responsibility to carry on Hobie Surfboards legacy as their numero 1 shaper (head shaper) of the brand. As of the day of this interview, alongside Gary, Michael Arenal and in special projects Adam Davenport also joins the diminutive lineup of shapers of Hobie Surfboards.
This interview was my first time meeting Mr. Larson. My impression of him after this interview was of a man that is intelligent, humble, very knowledgeable, respectful and well spoken, to name a few descriptive adjectives.
We geek-out on many topics and I tried my best to squeeze some longboard design wisdom out of his brain. I am confident all of you longboard nerds will appreciate our conversation.

See ya in da wata!

Tupi

Topics:
Beginnings
Hobie Alter
Terry Martin
Shaping Mentors
Hobie Surfboards
Shaping Journey
 Advice For Shaping Up and Comers
Longboard Design
Best Selling Longboard Models
Longboard Culture
Longboard Snobbery
The WSL LB Tour
Listeners Questions
The Ten
Shoutouts

Special thanks to Blue Tone Marketing & Public Relations, Gary Larson, Hobie Surfboards and Papa Dios for making this episode happen!
Also, to all my longboard community! 

The Waxhead, as he likes to be called is a longtime longboard aficionado from Sydney, Australia. Still a young man ( in his early thirties), I had and have the impression that he speaks with the knowledge of an old surfing soul. Basically, he is one of those people that I like to call a "longboard nerd". What happens when you get 2 longboard nerds to sit down and talk longboarding? A heavy, deep and entertaining interview!

Matt is a professional longboarder, business owner, car restorer, event commentator and surf mentor. He has won almost a dozen Australian Longboarding Championships, he has been a Joel Tudor Vans Duct Tape Invitee 3x and is currently ranked 9th in the WSL LB TOUR. He is very involved with surfboard and fin design, collaborating and doing R&D with surfing legend of legends Bob McTavish and his son Ben McTavish.
In my objective opinion, one of the world's top 10 most relevant longboard surfers today.

Topics:
His beginnings
Influences
Who's Who of Longboarding
Competitive Longboarding
Longboard and Fin Design
Surf Etiquette & Surf Hierachies
WSL LB Tour
Listeners Questions & more

Matt "The Waxhead" Chojnacki can be reached on his personal Instagram @thewaxhead or his business IG/ Facebook account @tbbodyworks.

The Longboardarian Podcast is sponsor and listener supported. If you are enjoying our content please consider a donation or purchasing some of our products. You can donate via www.ko-fi.com/longboardarian, Its super easy! Or checkout our kool products via www.longboardarian.com.

See ya in da wata!