World Surf League’s Dave Prodan breaks things down with influential figures from all across the surf landscape. Hear their behind-the-scenes stories and unfilte...
EP 217: Matt Costa - Writing Music for ‘A Brokedown Melody’ and YETI’s ‘As Told By’ series with WSL, Working with the Malloy brothers and Jack Johnson, Skateboarding dreams, Recovering from a life-altering injury, and His transition into music
Musician and storyteller Matt Costa joins us on the pod. Matt dives into his creative process, collaborating with filmmakers like Devyn Bisson on WSL’s ‘As Told By’ series produced in partnership with YETI, working with Jack Johnson and Emmett Malloy on the film A Brokedown Melody, and his latest project with Adventure.com and Rivian, Explorations of Sight + Sound. Matt shares his fascinating journey, how growing up with parents in the travel industry and a passion for skateboarding shaped his early years. After a life-altering injury sidelined his skateboarding dreams, an acoustic guitar became the catalyst for a new path in music. He talks about adjusting to life on the road, reflecting on the mentorship he received from No Doubt’s Tom Dumont, his serendipitous break with Jack Johnson, and the evolution of crafting songs in the studio to embodying them on stage. From making music in caves to documenting indigenous stories on 16mm film to live scoring films, Matt delves into the art of creating immersive experiences, before answering Instagram questions and the infamous Lightning Round.
Learn more about Matt Costa here and follow him here.
Catch Matt live-score his film Explorations of Sight and Sound Vol. 2 on Saturday, Nov. 30 between 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM PT at The Rivian South Coast Theater
Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel.
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EP 216: Chris Malloy - Surf legend to steward of the land, His early experiences at Pipe, Cultivating love of nature, YETI, Filmmaking, and Living with purpose
Legendary surfer, filmmaker, and environmental advocate Chris Malloy joins us on The Lineup. Known for his no-nonsense attitude and deep connection to the land, Chris dives into what it truly means to live authentically and reconnect with nature. He shares his views on modern conservation efforts, the surf film industry, and what it was like to watch legends like Tom Curren at Rincon in the early days. From hammering nails, cutting wood and driving tractors to fund his surf trips to taking a leap with Patagonia, Chris recounts how stepping away from big sponsorship deals was met with skepticism but ultimately led to a fulfilling path of making purpose-driven films. He offers an inside look at the surfing world before the internet, when curiosity was the fuel for adventure. Chris looks back at his upbringing, moving from Los Angeles to Ojai in the late '70s—a place he describes was filled with hippies, cowboys, and the Hell’s Angels. He reminisces about the early surf trips to the North Shore, scraping by with couch surfing and car camping. Recounting stories of Pipeline, Teahupo’o, and the Mentawais, he paints a picture of an era when surfing’s greats carved out a living on the waves and off the grid. Chris also reflects on the changing surf culture, the “passing of the torch,” and how while the younger generation’s progression may be incredible, he worries they may be missing out on the raw, unfiltered experience that shaped his own career. Chris continues by discussing the evolution of his filmmaking journey, from his early appearances in Taylor Steele’s films to creating impactful surf documentaries with his brothers. He discusses his partnership with YETI and their shared ethos of practicality and purpose. He shares how YETI gear became a staple on his ranch, highlighting the importance of quality tools that allow you to do what you love just a little longer.
Learn more about Chris Malloy here and follow him here.
Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel.
Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info.
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EP 215: Dr. Chad Nelsen - Celebrating Surfrider’s 40th anniversary, Life as CEO, Protecting our oceans and tackling coastal erosion, Partnering with WSL and WSL PURE, Living an ‘examined life,’ and the Power of surf activism
Dr. Chad Nelsen, CEO of the Surfrider Foundation, joins us on The Lineup to discuss his role in protecting the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches. From Surfrider’s hometown of Laguna Beach, Dr. Nelsen shares insights on the foundation’s 40th anniversary, their network of 200+ chapters, and the complex evolution of environmental activism. We dive into real-world challenges—mangrove deforestation in Puerto Rico and coastal erosion on Hawaii’s North Shore—and discuss how the Surfrider Foundation combines legal and scientific strategies to tackle these issues. Dr. Nelsen also opens up about his journey, from growing up in a surfing family on Long Island to his lifelong commitment to ocean conservation. He reflects on the impact of climate change on coastlines and the need for public action, urging listeners to get involved in the fight for sustainable practices. We explore how surfing, though a niche sport, can drive environmental awareness and political influence. A key example is the Save Trestles campaign, which successfully halted plans for a six-lane toll road that would have cut through San Onofre State Beach, the Donna O'Neill Land Conservancy, sacred Native American sites, and threatened the San Mateo Creek Watershed. With partnerships with local communities, WSL and WSL PURE, as well as ambassadors like Carissa Moore, Dr. Cliff Kapono, and Greg Long, the Surfrider Foundation strives to inspire both surfers and non-surfers alike to make a difference. Tune in to learn more about Dr. Chad Nelsen and how joining a local Surfrider chapter can empower communities and spark positive change.
Learn more about Surfrider here and follow them here.
Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel.
Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info.
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EP 214: Joel Vaughan - Qualifying for the 2025 Championship Tour!, Being the first man to win SURFEST back-to-back, His brothers as sparring partners, Switching from Pyzel to DHD, and Metallica strictly being his pre-heat playlist
2025 Championship Tour qualifier and standout rookie Joel Vaughan joins The Lineup with Dave Prodan for an in-depth conversation. Joel dives into his exhilarating 2024 season, sharing the highs and lows of his journey to qualify for the Championship Tour in 2025. He reflects on the unforgettable moment at the Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco do Brasil, when he realized the magnitude of his own qualification scenario, while celebrating his fellow Aussie rookie George Pittar securing his own spot on tour. Throughout the episode, Joel opens up about the unwavering support from his family—his dad, his brothers, and his shaper Darren Handley, along with his tight-knit Aussie surfing community. He reminisces about his early days at North Shelly Beach, NSW, the surfers who inspired him, and the path that led him to the world stage. Looking ahead, he shares his excitement for the 2025 season, the events he's most eager to compete in, and his off-season training plans as he prepares for the iconic season opener at Pipeline.
Learn more about Joel here and follow him here.
Rewatch his qualification moment at the Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco do Brasil.
Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel.
Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info.
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EP 213: Isabella Nichols Returns - Recapping her 2024 season, Requalifying for the 2025 Championship Tour, Pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, Her traumatizing experience at Sunset Beach, Plans for the off-season, and Surfing for DHD
2025 Championship Tour qualifier Isabella Nichols returns to the show. Following her debut in Episode 75, Isabella recaps her remarkable 2024 season, finishing #3 in the Challenger Series Rankings, and securing her requalification for the 2025 CT. She takes us through the highs and lows of her journey, reliving the intense emotions of the Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco do Brasil, the nail-biting moments as the rankings shifted, and the mental resilience she built after being relegated to the Challenger Series. Isabella opens up about the challenges she faced entering the 2024 season, the pressure of watching her fate unfold from the beach in Saquarema, and how she maintained her focus and determination. She also looks ahead to 2025, sharing her thoughts on the updated tour schedule, the promising new rookies, and who she believes will be the top contenders to watch. Beyond surfing, Isabella dives into her passion for mechanical engineering and her efforts to inspire young students by speaking at schools about STEM opportunities. She reflects on how balancing her studies and professional surfing both supports and complicates her career. In a thrilling new segment, Scary Stories of the Sea presented by Kraken Rum, Isabella recounts a terrifying big-wave experience at Sunset, her offseason plans and working closely with renowned shaper Darren Handley.
Learn more about Isabella here and follow her here.
Relive the Corona Saquarema Pro Presented by Banco do Brasil, Oct 12 - 20.
Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel.
Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sobre The Lineup with Dave Prodan - A Surfing Podcast
World Surf League’s Dave Prodan breaks things down with influential figures from all across the surf landscape. Hear their behind-the-scenes stories and unfiltered opinions to get a deeper sense of who they are and how they’ve influenced the sport and culture of surfing.