In Episode 60 we speak with Tom Wegener, a legend in the world of surfboard shaping who has spent the last 4 decades building and riding boards. Tom takes us through the story of his youth surfing and shaping in Southern California, the influence of Donald Takayama that helped guide Tom to pursue the art of shaping and find the spirit of "ohana", or family, that is a key part of longboard surfing culture. Tom describes the evolution of his shaping from fiberglass and foam into wooden boards and his shares his passion for the traditional "Olo" and "Alaia" wooden boards that he continues to focus on building, and teaching others how to build, today. We hear Tom's perspective and excitement for a transformation happening in longboarding with a convergence of high performance and traditional riding he recently witnessed at the famous Noosa Festival of Surfing. A ton of great history and perspective on longboard surfing culture from a man who has been front and center within it for decades.
Thanks for sharing Tom's ocean life with us. You can find pictures and video of him on Facebook, his website, and Instagram. There is also some fun stuff on the This Ocean Life Instagram and Facebook pages. We are also on Twitter ranting about anything cool happening in the ocean.
This episode is sponsored by Mile 22, makers of surf and paddle board straps — including world famous Monster Straps (which I LOVE and use regularly) — designed in California by folks who surf and paddle every day. Check them at www.Mile22.com.
Stoked Grom Stories: Riley Auble - surfing, fishing, travel, board paddling
Chris Aguilar - endurance board paddling, ocean videos, helping others
Chris Hearn - Master Mariner, disasters at sea
Mike Lenane - Western Oz, SUP instructor, movie maker
Stefan Simkovics - Navy officer, rescue swimmer, lifeguard, board paddler
Duke Brouwer - 30 years in the surf industry, board paddling, surfing, giving back
George Peterson - scuba diver, educator, Monterey Bay Aquarium
Maddi Leblanc - Canadian National SUP Team, non-profit founder, inspiring woman of the water
Stoked Grom Stories #3 - Mulder Brothers - surfers, board paddlers, helping disabled persons
#58: Alice Henley - endurance board paddling, M2O, ocean rescue, Crossing For A Cure
#57: Max Montgomery - Surfer, SUP, volunteer for others, heart attack survivor
#56: Kailyn Winter - Team USA board paddler, strength on water
#55: Ted Harty - Freediving instructor, record holder, Immersion Freediving program
#54: Stefano Ulivi - Diving and filming the Azores, shark conservation
#53: Jenn Lee (part 2) - 4 Molokai channel crossings, ocean canoe, SUP racing
#52: Mike Wood - Santa Cruz surfing life in the 1950s
#51: Victoria Burgess - Cuba to Florida world record holder, ocean athlete
Stoked Grom Stories #2 - Jonah Susskind - world traveler, surfer, board paddler
#50: Mick Di Betta - Lifeguard, Ocean Athlete Trainer, Molokai to Oahu Legend
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