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.
#49: Allen Bushnell - Kayak Fisherman, Guide, Ocean Community Builder
#48: Jalou Langeree - World Champion Kitesurfer, Woman of the Water
#47: Sensi Graves - Professional Kiteboarding, Bikinis for Girls Who Rip
#46: Sarah Gauthier -- Scuba Diving 7 Continents in 5 Months, Spreading Ocean Awareness
#45: Randy Bogardus - 50 years of wave riding, shaping wooden surf craft
#44: Cooper Family - Sailing the South Pacific (Pt 1)
Stoked Grom Stories #1 - Cole Renfrew - surfer, junior lifeguard, spear fisherman
#43: Mark Schulein - Endurance Paddling, Ocean of Hope, Giving Back to Others
#42 Mike Baxter -- Fisherman, Steward, Man of the Water
#41 Aimee Spector -- Cuba to Florida Paddle, Mother, Woman of the Water
#40: George Scheppler - Navy Rescue Swimmer, Ocean Athlete Trainer
#39: Al Ramadan - Surfer, Sailor, Technologist, Entrepreneur
#38 Weldon Wade - Protecting Bermuda's Waters, Diving, Taking on Invasive Lionfish
#37: Steve Lonhart - Marine Scientist, 3,000 Dives, Big Sur
#36: Forrest Galante - Animal Planet Host, World Record Spearfisherman
This Ocean Life, Episode 35 - Katerina Topouzoglou and All For Blue
This Ocean Life, Episode 34 - John Brasen and Pacific Longboarder Magazine
This Ocean Life, Episode 33 - Collin Boys and Hush Handboards
This Ocean Life, Episode 32 - Jeff Denholm and Raw Grit
This Ocean Life, Episode 31 - Michael Booth and A World Tour of Fun and Challenge
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