california surfing

In the relatively young and short history of surfing evolution, let's say in the last 70 years, there has been so much done for surfboard design and innovation. In regards to longboards, this particular type of surfboard had gone away, generally speaking, and comeback for its revival, a resurrection of sorts. We have seen a strong longboard transition in design and surfing approach since its rebirth. In regards to design some would argue that "everything" has been done and tried for the long sleds, has it really?

Michael Takayama, a man with deep surfing history connections due to the family that he was born to, shows up in an arena with an extensive cast of great shapers, surfers, legends of our sport and culture. This surfer blue collar family man, who has spent decades as a craftsman, specializing in tile flooring, had the initiative and vision of creating his own line of surfboards. His specialty being longboards, he incorporated what he learned from his Uncle Donald and blended some of his own concepts and ideas to produce a line of unique and special boards that as of late have been under the feet of some of the most exciting longboarders in the world, including World Champions!

On this interview you will meet Michael! He talks sincerely and openly. Sharing some of his very personal anecdotes, experiences and surfboard knowledge.

Enjoy!

Topics discussed: The Team, Surfboard Design, The Takayama Family Tree, Donald, pro competitive longboarding and more.

Sponsors:

Fin-Jak
use code tupi20 for a 20% discount on this clever device.
www.pelicansurfcraft.com

Leashless Brewing
One of the Finest Beers in CA, and it's organic!
585 E. Thompson Blvd
Ventura, CA

Ventura Surf Shop
One of the longest running surf shops in the world!
William Dennis Surfboards, Wayne Rich, Roberts, Campbell Bros, Steve Brom and many more! Great selection of hard goods and merchandise.
www.shopvss.com

It's been 20 plus years since I remember first seeing pictures, reading articles, and watching videos from the 60's of a surfer named Joyce Hoffman.She may have been one of the first female surfers of her era implementing style in surfing. It's been more than 20 years and her name and the images of that iconic style are still engrained in my memory.

Recently, I was interviewing Señor Dick Metz  (episode 17), and he mentioned Joyce in the interview. Post interview, I asked if he knew of Joyce. His reaction was one of humorous confidence, sort of a level of disbelief that I would ask such a question. "She's my good friend, I call her Bubu". He proceeded to take out his phone and asked if I'd want to talk to her for a future interview. Mesmerized and with my eyes popped open like the surprised emoji, I said yes! A month later Joyce and I met at Surf Heritage and Cultural Center in San Clemente, CA.

On this episode Joyce shares memories of her surfing story. She talks about her family, what it was like being a female surfer in the 60's, and her World Championships. Joyce tells us about being the first woman in California history to lifeguard its beaches and the first woman in the world to surf Pipeline. We also hear about how she dropped out of surfing and took on motocross and race car driving before coming back to surfing, thanks to her brother-in-law Herbie Fletcher.

I want to thank Dick Metz, Barry Haun from SHACC and Joyce Hoffman for making herself available to talk about her surfing story and for providing context for a period of surfing history for those who were not there to experience it firsthand.  

Thank you to my listeners and sponsors! Together we've embarked on a surfing history journey with The Longboardarian Podcast. I hope that together we see it grow into a high quality, educational and entertaining podcast.

One last thank you, to my lady. I call her The Executive Producer of Longboardarian. If it wasn't for your support and patience with my project, thousands of people would not be able to enjoy these interviews. Te amo Mamacita.

Sponsors of this episode:

Fin-Jak - Fin replacement device
use code tupi20 at www.pelicansurfcraft.com

Ventura Surf Shop- One of the world's oldest surf shops! Great variety of new and used surfboards, hard goods, T-shirts , wetsuits and way more!!
Check their website www.shopvss.com

Leashless Brewing
Some of the finest and hard to get Organic Beer! Brew master John Gonzales ,through years of R&D creates and produces a great variety of delicious tasting beer!
Located on E. 585 Thompson Ave. 
www.leashlessbrewing.com

Legend of legends, Mr. Dick Metz. Born in 1929, raised and groomed in Laguna Beach, CA. I am pretty certain that Dick is the oldest active accomplished surf entrepreneur, surf traveler, historian, preservationist and adrenaline junkie out there. At 90 years old, I was impressed with Dick's sharp mind and ability to https://shacc.org his past. Every other sentence he would say something that popped my eyes wide open.
 This man has a long list of successes and experiences that make him, in my mind, a true godfather of surfing.
He is probably best known for being the Co-founder of Hobie Surf Shops throughout the US, however he was and still is very much an entrepreneur and an adventurer. He managed and started many businesses throughout his life including investing in real estate. He still goes out in the ocean and the mountains for skiing or dirt bike riding.
Inadvertently , he served as a surf location surf scout when his surf travels in the 50's to places like Africa helped Bruce Brown's Endless Summer Movie in regards to shoot locations.
He now spends many of his hours contributing to his museum Surfing Heritage and Cultural Center. A must visit to any surf nerd or surf history buff. Check their website at https://shacc.org
Topics discussed:
His beginnings in surfing
Arrival of fiberglass
Arrival of Foam
George Freeth
Surfboard Design Timeline
Phil Edwards
Gerry Lopez
Longboarding
and way more....!

Sponsors of this Episode:

Fin-Jak
Find on www.Pelicansurfcraft.com
use code tupi20 for 20% discount

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Ave
Ventura, CA

Ventura Surf Shop
88 E. Thompson Ave
Ventura, CA
www.shopvss.com

The coolest and richest in California surf culture, surf competition is called The Hotdogger Championship. The producer of this event is Señor Ed Solt. I had the pleasure in participating in this event in October of 2018. Now, the 2019 edition is around the corner so I thought timing was perfect for this interview.
Ed was in Ventura County for a day to promote the event, surf and meet with respected surfboard craftsman Adam Davenport. I suggested an interview to plug THC which he kindly accepted.
On this interview I really got to know more about the events history and Ed. He came across as a surf history nerd, stand-up comedian, great promoter and....., just Ed being Ed. Super fun discussion! At times very opinionated but funny as heck, I think everyone will enjoy this recording.

THC has amp support from the local businesses and the surf community. Sponsors like Subaru Pacific, Surfboards by Davenport, Beachlife Festival, Jonesea and many many more are a crucial part for the viability of the event.

Don't miss this years event! Saturday, October 5th, 2019. Hermosa Beach, CA.

For more info check Instagram @hotdoggerchampionship

Sponsors for this podcast:

Fin-Jak- Fin Device
Get 20% discount with code tupi20 @ www.pelicansurfcraft.com

Leashless Brewing
Finest Organic Beer in CA. 585 E. Thompson Blvd. Ventura, CA

Ventura Surf Shop
Since 1967. Serving the 805 surfing community.
88 E. Thompson Blvd, Ventura, CA

In July of 2019 I participated in The Call To The Wall longboarding event at Surfrider Beach in Malibu, California. I thought it was a proper place to get plenty of perspectives from a diverse group of longboard surfers. From the young groms to the middle aged dudes to the young women to the old fellows. I asked everyone the same question. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMPETITIVE PROFESSIONAL LONGBOARDING TO LOOK LIKE?
On this episode you will hear a wide array of great answers. 
Gracias to my listeners and sponsors!
Fin-Jak
Leashless Brewing
Ventura Surf Shop

See ya in da wata!

This is a double overhead deep in the barrel of an interview! In early July 2019, CJ sits down with us and we discuss longboard surfing. I wanted to focus on his memories and anecdotes of his beginnings in surfing and longboarding but I also wanted to talk about surf competition politics and controversies regarding The Surf Relik Tour which he is a contributor too. He did not shy away from answering any of my questions.
Topics discussed on this episode but not limited to were:
His beginnings- Longboarding When It Wasn't "Cool"- Surf Relik- Thunderbolt Technology- LB Competition Criteria- Rapid Fire Q&A and the Shoutout segment. The Shoutout segment was in my opinion very heavy, I encourage you to give it a listen!

Gracias CJ for sharing your thoughts and wisdom with me and our listeners! For inquiries about his boards please check www.cjnelsondesigns.com

Appreciation to The Longboardarian Podcast Sponsors:

Leashless Brewing                  FinJak                         Ventura Surf Shop
585 E. Thompson Blvd          www.finjak.com          88 E. Thompson Blvd
Ventura, California 93001       code tupi20                 Ventura, California 93001
                                               for 20% discount
                                              on a FinJak!

 On Episode 13 we get to meet the man behind Surfboards by Davenport. I learned from this interview that there is so much history, anecdotes, perseverance, sweat and sacrifice on every single board made by Adam. That explains the intricate and unique aspects of this masterpieces of surfboards. When you hold one of this boards and you scan with your eyes its details, it's like going back in a time machine to the sixties. I dare to say that even though i was not alive then but that's how this boards make me feel. He is not a surfboard shaper, he is a surfboard maker/artisan!

Adam's journey to where he is now with Surfboards by Davenport are full with ups and downs, as life tends to be, but his passion to surfing, his niche and his implementation of values that were instilled in him throughout his life from the people that love him and care for him seemed to have paved the road for his success.

Thank you for a great interview Adam!

To my listeners!
Enjoy y nos vemos en el agua!

For more info on Surfboards by Davenport check his Instagram and/or website
www.davenportsurfboards.com

From Southern California, this longboarder extraordinaire sits down with us and tells us about her beginnings in surfing, surfing influences, surfboard design, competitive longboarding and more.
Erin Ashley has become one of my favorite longboarders. As mentioned in the podcast, her level of creativity, skill and style is unparalleled. Just look for yourself! https://youtu.be/2kLVVweF1Ik 
 This video by Hayley Gordon will blow your mind!
You can find more Erin "Worm" Ashley vids on YouTube, Vimeo and the Nobodysurf app.
You can also find her on her Instagram username Wormtown.
Mucho appreciation to Erin for her time for this interview!

Don't forget to follow Longboardarian on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our podcast. Feedback is welcome. I am committed in bringing my listeners and viewers content that will make them stoked!

Nos vemos en el agua!

Tupi

Lance originally from a Malibu adjacent area was part of a small crew of youngsters in the late 80's into the 90's that perhaps due to their geographical location were influenced by a crew of older longboarders that never quit longboarding during the decline of the use of longboard surfboards and the style of surfing that comes with it.
That small elite crew of new longboarders from Malibu Beach took upon themselves the continuing of the longboarding discipline art form of surfing and integrating aspects of the  modern approach of surfing and board design. 
This episode is full of great memories, anecdotes, perspectives and surfing history dating back to the 80's.
I hope you longboard heads enjoy!

Hablamos Broki!

Tupi Cabrera

Recorded in May of 2019
The BSS! It reminded me of my first Surf Expo. This particular show no doubt provided the excitement, the visuals, the surfboards and their makers, not to mention their signature shapers face-off . Invited shapers have a limited time to scan with their eyes and hands a particular surfboard, no measuring tapes or any tools and devices allowed. Then shapers take their shaping tools and get to work and compete to who can replicate as accurately as possible the honored surfboard. 
Many legends of our surfing world were present and I could see the positive interactions and camaraderie that I would expect in a room full of characters that share in common their love of surfing.
This episode is a set of 14 soundbites of some of those personalities. They include surfing icons, bonafide legends, up and coming shapers and surfers.
Soundbites in order of appearance:
Wingnut
Camp and Tony from the Boys to Men Foundation
Michael Arenal
Wayne Rich
Adam Davenport
Chuck Ames
Mike Millican
CJ Nelson
Lance Carson
Cormack O'Brien
Devon Howard
John Welch
Jose Barahona
I apologize for the bad audio on my end when I was speaking into the mic. I am a loud Puertorican (LOL) and a rookie in recording, thankfully my guests were not as loud and their soundbites are good! I want to thank my interviewees for their time and perspectives.

Enjoy and see you in da data!

Tupi

LA MAFE! Surfer y deportista de Peru. Esta joven ha estado en un progreso acelerado en cuanto a su longboard surfing. Llevo siguiendola 2 años aproximadamente y cada vez que la veo, en promedio 3 a 4 veces al año, esta chica mejora y mejora su repertorio en la tabla larga.
En este episodio nos cuenta de sus comienzos en el longboarding, sus perspectivas en el mundo del longboard competitivo y mucho mas.

No olviden de darnos un review en la plataforma donde este escuchando los episodios. es de gran ayuda! Cualquier sugerencia no duden de escribirnos en nuestro Instagram o a longboardarian@gmail.com.

Nos vemos en el agua!

Tupi

On a April 19th, I published an opinion piece on my Instagram/IGTV. I knew it could ruffle some feathers around our longboarding community but I did it anyways because that is what Longboardarian is all about, covering longboarding! There are many topics to visit and discuss. this particular subject is about pro longboarding. I chose to start a conversation on this particular because as an observer I feel like 2019 is bringing some interesting changes in the highest levels of PL. I would love to see the WSL and The Relik have success with their respective tours. On this episode I propose an idea for pro longboarding that in my opinion would assist in bridging the two main disciplines of competitive longboarding. I am not the best orator around so when I tried to put together a video with my proposal I feel like it may have been slightly misinterpreted. I was accused of  being divisive and misleading. All I wanted to do was start a conversation. I feel confident about my proposal for competitive pro longboarding and I welcome a respectful discussion about it. Here's my take two in presenting my idea. I hope you enjoy!

Jeff Belzer is a VC native and has been surfing and longboarding most of his life. He has seen and experienced the transitions and trends in California longboard culture. He has reached a very high level of world class longboard surfing. He has plenty to share as he allows me to pick on his brain on many topics all longboard related. He recently won the Hotdogger Championship held in October of 2018 where a large pool of California's finest longboarders showed up and displayed their repertoires. 

Jeff is a family man that divides his time between family, surfing and his realtor career where he is a part of the prestigious Sotheby's Realty Group. He also founded and operates the Mako Surf School and Camp where he passes along the aloha of surfing to hundreds of kids every year.

Enjoy,

Tupi Cabrera

In early January I met with Carla at her home in Thousand Oaks, California for a frank conversation on longboardings current status in the competitive arena as well as in the California surf community. We also talk about her beginnings in surfing, her experiences as a Malibu local and some of its longboarding history, surfing politics and more. She is a great interviewee as she ain't shy in articulating her opinions. 
Carla has a lot going on as she runs The Surf Institute where she runs different programs, retreats and workshops that enable, teach and improve individuals surfing. She also is a sought out coach and has worked with top names including surfing champion from Brazil Chloe Calmon.
Get more information on her programs at www.thesurfinstitute.com 

 see ya in da wata!,

Tupi

Longboardarian sits down with one of California's most respected longboarders, his name is Vince Felix. He has a long history within California's surf community and is recognized as one of the best longboard performers. He is a committed family man, entrepreneur, surfer, skater and rad dude overall.
On this episode we discuss his longboarding trajectory as a surfer and as a head judge where he has been sought out for his clear and consistent criteria for some of the most prominent longboarding events.

It was a pleasure sitting down with him at his family home and allow me to pick on his brain for some perspective, insights and opinions on longboarding and its status quo. Checkout his website where he and his hunny, artist extraordinaire Cynthia Polk, offer a wide range of art services, including body tattoo, screen printing and more. Check them out at!
www.ventuckyco.com

Episode 1!!!!!!!!! 
Known in Ventura as simply as Blinky, this California local is an encyclopedia of surf culture knowledge by experience. He began surfing as a grom in the late fifties and started in the surf building industry in 1963 with such icons as Karl Pope, Tom Morey and many others his senior. He is still shaping out of his shaping room in the back of his family owned surf shop "Ventura Surf Shop". His surfboard label goes by the name of William Dennis Surfboards. 
On this episode he shares his experiences and anecdotes from the good old times "Golden Years of Surfing" to the present. He gives us his take on the current status of longboarding in California. This episode is pure gold!

See ya in da wata!
 Tupi

PS- For more info on Blinky, his boards and shop, visit www.venturasurfshop.com