Surf Stories Podcast

08/14/2025

From the pool to the ocean, Scott Smith’s journey has been anything but ordinary. A former water polo player turned filmmaker, Scott built his career behind the lens with Body Glove and PADI, where his natural eye for action and storytelling translated seamlessly into surf cinematography and editing. His work has taken him around the globe. Scott’s close friendship and collaboration with the late Greg Browning—Momentum Generation standout, filmmaker, and creator of the beloved Drive Thru series—was central to the making of A Marble in the Jar. Enjoy this chat with Scott.

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Brian Layman Wealth Management

08/01/2025

Carrying the Florida flag, filmmaker and photographer Paul Prewitt captured unforgettable East Coast surf footage from 1985 to 1988—from West Palm Beach to New Hampshire and beyond—mesmerizing audiences with A+ setups and raw talent in Atlantic Crossing. After a successful career in film and television, Paul is now turning his focus to documenting the rich history of surf filmmaking and photography. In this episode, we explore pivotal moments from his creative journey, the evolution of surf media, and his latest passion project. It’s a conversation filled with insight, inspiration, and a deep love for surf culture and storytelling. Tune in and enjoy.

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Brian Layman Wealth Management

07/17/2025

Lakey Peterson is a professional surfer from Santa Barbara, California, known for her progressive aerial maneuvers and athletic approach to surfing. She began surfing at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks, winning multiple NSSA titles and becoming a force on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour. Beyond her competitive achievements, Lakey is also an advocate for environmental causes and children’s cancer research, and she’s a team rider for 805 Beer, recently releasing a documentary about her journey called Making Waves.  Enjoy our chat with Lakey.

07/02/2025

Richard Yelland's Birth of the Endless Summer starring Dick Metz is a masterpiece. Cataloguing the inimitable journeyman's anecdotes, love affairs, and risky passages across the globe in the late fifties and beyond, Richard puts his documentary chops on display along with priceless photos and interviews with key players in what played a massive role in Bruce Brown's denouement in The Endless Summer. Listen in to how Richard found his way into the project and others. You can find said masterpiece on all major digital platforms. Enjoy.

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And:
Brian Layman Wealth Management

06/17/2025

The birth of Wave Tools became an instant curiosity when Robert Helphand and Tony Gentile interviewed Lance Collins for a different project back in 2018. That interview ignited a documentary project seven years in the making called Shaping the Future. Robert and Tony detailed the engineering and design of new shapes and techniques, and brought to cinematic life the loud, aggressive logos and surfing, all heavily photographed on Echo Beach in Newport, CA. Enjoy our chat with these two top quality craftsmen.

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And:
Brian Layman Wealth Management

06/02/2025

For those of you who didn't get to listen to Ben Whyte .ben and Ali Mancuso .alie on Episode 68 - Breaking Waves Sailing, don't fret, you can always go back and listen first, but it's not necessary. They have a wonderful story to tell here about crossing the pacific as rookies on a 41' sailboat named Kiana. Through an unexpected dry dock on a reef and a month long sabbatical near Tavarua, as well as some empty anchorages in paradise, you'll capture a moment of pure stoke with them. But experience it all through their storytelling on ⁠Breaking Waves Sailing on YouTube⁠. Enjoy.

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And:
Brian Layman Wealth Management

05/17/2025

A writer first, Dan developed a love for surfing in the cold San Francisco water and turned heavily towards his move to Florida in his latest work On a Rising Swell, a memoir slash collection of his best work with surfing as a central character. Take the time to read this fantastic rendering from the mind of one of surfing’s best new contributors. Our chat covers his stories and inspiration as well as his humble, positive, and soulful voice. Enjoy and check out his new book. Dan-Reiter.com

05/02/2025

Sam George, surfer, writer, and filmmaker, has entertained readers and audiences with his gift of storytelling for years. The stories take many forms and many new threads come alive in his new work Child of Storms - A Surfing Memoir (In Progress), available at ⁠diangelopublications.com⁠ (https://diangelopublications.com/). In addition to this writer’s life, he’s also made one of the best documentary films about surfing that no one has seen. It premiered at Cannes Film Festival in 2010, and now, he’s sharing it with us at the Florida Surf Film Festival on June 13-14, 2025. Enjoy Sam’s gift for storytelling.

Presented by with additional support from
Brown and Brown Insurance

04/17/2025

Greg Geiselman, an immigrant from the Bahamas, dropped out of a full-ride swimming scholarship as a result of a full-blown case of the surfing disease. Nothing would get in his way. He possesses the gift of absolute discipline and focus. From swimming at a world-class level to months-long Mexico runs, to shaping blanks and running the first East Coast shaping machine, he created Orion Surfboards , one of the most successful local brands to endure generations of surfers’ demand. Sons Eric and Evan have put dad’s sleds on full display. Enjoy Greg’s compelling story. Frank Gilday joins as guest host.

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And:
Brian Layman Wealth Management

04/01/2025

Kohl Christensen figured out a way to chase waves and make a living, much like many of us do, only the waves he chases are about 6 times larger than the biggest wave we’ve ever encountered. Immediately, we think of his 2019 skull-shattering wipeout at Pipeline, and next, about the organization he co-founded with friends to help people in exactly that kind of situation. BWRAG (Big Wave Risk Assessment Group) trains and equips us to help those in need in the water and on the beach before the professionals arrive. Enjoy Kohl’s enjoyable journey in this chat with Kevin and John.
📷 Greg Harms
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And:
Brian Layman Wealth Management

03/17/2025

Longtime New Smyrna Beach surfer, Jim Morris, joins us for a conversation about growing up brined and seasoned in Florida waters. He evolved into an aficionado of surfboard shaping and shapers and put his surf-to-live attitude in first position. Everything afterward fell right into place, leaving us with a few quality stories to meander through on this podcast. Enjoy.

Presented by with additional support from
Brown and Brown Insurance

02/19/2025

Mitch Varnes fused his passion for surfing and work ethic to make a career in public affairs with NASA and a career in surf journalism and athlete management. Aside from managing CJ and Damien Hobgood and Lisa Anderson’s career for a time, he’s been creating and managing distance running and triathlons. Check in here with Mitch for a couple Puerto Rico surf stories…. Enjoy. https://wix.to/hkqO9CA

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Mitch Varnes fused his passion for surfing and work ethic to make a career in public affairs with NASA and a career in surf journalism and athlete management. Aside from managing CJ and Damien Hobgood and Lisa Anderson’s career for a time, he’s been creating and managing distance...