Surf Stories Podcast

10/23/2025

🚨 The Florida Surf Film Festival is back! Mark your calendars for November 14th & 15th at Daytona State College. Experience unique films and surf culture with special appearances by Luke Cederman and John Philbin! Get your festival passes now: https://wix.to/TEHnQx3

Daytona Beach, FL – Florida Surf Film Festival (FSFF) returns to the Daytona State College’s News-Journal Center on Fri. and Sat., November 14th and 15th, featuring two incredible line-ups with all new work by early to mid-career artists and some unique, comedic looks at surf culture. Festival p...

10/16/2025

On this episode of Surf Stories, we’re joined by filmmaker and surfer Takuji Masuda, director of BUNKER77, which captured the wild, short-lived legend of Bunker Spreckels and Best Documentary - Feature (2017) at  Florida Surf Film Festival. A lifelong student of surf history and culture, Takuji shares his story of emigrating from Japan to Canada and the U.S., making his mark and earning his spot at the Banzai Pipeline—stroking into bombs on a longboard, fully committed. If that phrase means anything to you as a listener, you’ll love his stories and journey as a filmmaker.

Photos in order of appearance







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Brian Layman Wealth Management

10/01/2025

Laird Hamilton is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and fearless watermen of our time. A legendary big-wave surfer, pioneer and innovator of tow-in and foil surfing, and lifelong ocean explorer, Laird has spent decades redefining what’s possible on the water. Beyond his groundbreaking achievements in surfing, he’s an entrepreneur, fitness innovator, and wellness advocate who inspires others to push limits and live with purpose. From riding record-breaking waves to developing performance training techniques, Laird continues to influence surf culture and human performance worldwide. Enjoy. 📸by Joel Guy and
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Brian Layman Wealth Management

09/20/2025

Join Chas Smith and Florida Surf Film Festival Co-Founders, Kevin Miller and John Brooks, at the Rivian South Coast Theater Monday, September 22nd for a live podcast with Greg MacGillivray for 6PM doors and pod starts around 6:30PM. Free registration in their profile. Or visit profile. Enjoy!

09/15/2025

Dr. Jason Old is a surfer, historian, and storyteller who’s spent decades chasing waves and uncovering the deeper stories behind them. With a PhD in Latin American history, he’s lived and surfed in Nicaragua, Peru, and Bali, researching how surf culture shapes local communities and economies. Jason also hosts The Surfing Historian podcast, where he dives into the history and culture of surfing around the world. In our conversation, we explore the rise of Nicaraguan surf, its connection to Sandinista history, and his new project, Waverii—linking surf travelers with locals to make surf trips more meaningful.

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Brian Layman Wealth Management

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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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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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