This Ocean Life Podcast

Alo Slebir - charging Mavericks at age 17, board paddling, spearfishing

In episode 68 we visit with Alo Slebir, a 17-year old man born and bred for the water who is up for a WSL Big Wave Paddle Award for the 2018/19 winter. Alo takes us through his progression surfing big Steamer Lane before finding his passion for the waves at Mavericks at age 14, the mentors who inspired and guided him, along with his perspective on that wave and the changes he's seen in the lineup over a few short years. Alo shares stories of being addicted to the Powerlines videos of Mavericks as a young kid, competitive surfing in the local Santa Cruz scholastic league, his love for downwind prone paddling (just like dear old dad), and recent love for freediving and spearfishing. We also hear stories of surf trips to Mainland Mexico and a recent, epic trip to Iceland. Plenty to be inspired by from this young man of the water.
Thanks for sharing Alo's ocean life with us. You can find pictures and video of him on his Instagram page. 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 Burnout Suncare. A family-owned company based in Santa Cruz, CA that specializes in chemical-free, environmentally-friendly, reef-safe sunscreens for water sports athletes and health conscious families. Check them out at www.burnoutsun.com.
 
 

Dan Semrad - Oregon freediving, spearfishing, training others

In Episode 67 we speak with Dan Semrad, founder of Oregon Freediving Company and life-long man of the water. Dan takes us through his evolution from scuba diving into freediving sharing stories on the people and places along the way such as Honduras, Grand Cayman, Hawaii, and more. Dan shares his perspective on training others through his work with PFI and NAUI while pushing his own breath hold limits. We hear of underwater blackouts and rescues while diving and hunting fish in the dark waters of the Oregon coast and adventures in Alaska with Dan's thoughts on learning techniques to pursue new types of fish and enjoying the overall pursuit.
Thanks for sharing Dan's ocean life with us. You can find pictures and video of Dan on his Instagram page and website - if you're interested in freedive training definitely hit him up. You can also always see 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 Kalletka Undersea, an ocean lifestyle company born from thousands of hours spent roaming in and under the sea. As a family-owned company Kalletka delivers high quality t-shirts and hats representing memorable scenes and animals in the ocean. Visit them at www.Kalletka.com and get 15% off your order with the code thisocean15. Enjoy the Humble Pursuit.
 

Molokai 2 Oahu Stories: Part 1 -- Lincoln Dews, Mick Di Betta, Morgan Hoesterey, Nick Franco, Leanne Horton, and Jeff Denholm

In this multi-part series I've put together the first set of stories and perspectives on the world's gnarliest paddle board race, Molokai 2 Oahu (M2O). Six of my past guests and current legends in the water -- Lincoln Dews, Mick Di Betta, Morgan Hoesterey, Nick Franco, Leanne Horton, and Jeff Denholm -- all share their past experiences paddling in the Kaiwi Channel (The Channel of Bones) including sinking boats, injuries, super heavy conditions, the first M2O event ever, competing both SUP and prone, logistical horror stories, and much, much more.
If you enjoy this story compilation I'd be stoked if you gave a nice rating of This Ocean Life in your podcast app or even better stop using plastics whenever possible so we can keep them out of the environment and out of the stomachs of our favorite ocean critters. Thanks!
Check out all podcast episodes at www.ThisOceanLife.tv.
 

Stoked Grom Stories: Riley Auble - surfing, fishing, travel, board paddling

In this episode of Stoked Grom Stories we speak with Riley Auble, a young man enjoying a life growing up in Santa Cruz, California. We hear of Riley's adventures traveling to Vietnam and his favorite surf spots on Maui. Riley talks about his love for fishing, helping disabled children enjoy the waves with Ride-A-Wave, and the epic finish of his Junior Lifeguard paddle team at the 2018 California Regional competition. Riley takes us through some of his strategy for competitive surfing and his stoke for paddling prone boards. 
Thanks for sharing Riley's ocean life with us. You can find pictures of him ripping on Instagram and more good stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV Instagram and Facebook pages. We are on Twitter ranting about anything cool happening in the ocean.
This episode is sponsored by Shearwater Paddleboards, a family-owned company that hand-crafts prone paddle boards and surfboards in rugged Northern California. Now offering a line of open water GROM PADDLE BOARDS! If your grom wants to be fast, smooth, and comfortable in the water check them out at www.ShearWaterPaddleboards.com

Chris Aguilar - endurance board paddling, ocean videos, helping others

In Episode 66 we speak with Chris Aguilar, a man of the water who has built an amazing lifestyle of board paddling and documenting the people and events of the sport. Chris takes us through his years filming the Molokai 2 Oahu paddleboard race and shares some of his favorite moments that he's been a part of. We hear about the evolution of Chris's video work and his passion for using this medium to tell stories from events like M2O, Carolina Cup, Battle of the Paddle while also pushing his own physical and mental limits competing as a prone paddler in many events. Chris talks about the 10+ Catalina Channel crossings that he's done as well as his love for the Chattajack Race in Tennessee and shares his perspective on the paddle community and participating in fund raisers for those less fortunate, like the 24 Hour Paddle.
Thanks for sharing Chris's ocean life with us. You can find Chris's videos on Vimeo, pictures and video of him on his Instagram page and Facebook. 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 Burnout Suncare. A family-owned company based in Santa Cruz, CA that specializes in chemical-free, environmentally-friendly, reef-safe sunscreens for water sports athletes and health conscious families. Check them out at www.burnoutsun.com.

Chris Hearn - Master Mariner, disasters at sea

In podcast Episode 64 we speak with Chris Hearn, a man of the ocean from Newfoundland who is part of Discovery Channel's 'Disasters at Sea' television series that reexamine some of the most mysterious and harrowing sea disasters of the last 50 years. Chris takes us through his his work on the show helping to capture the human experience of maritime disasters that the show re-creates. We hear about Chris's 15+ year career at sea, traveling the world, and reaching the level of Master Mariner. Chris talks about a variety of vessels he has operated from ice breakers, to cargo ships, drilling, and more while sharing his perspective on life at sea running a ship and living with the raw wild of the ocean. Chris shares an incredible story of being caught in a 'perfect storm' scenario near the Grand Banks and talks about his current role as director of a marine simulation center helping the maritime industry become more safe.
Disasters at Seas is really well done show that makes you feel part of the actual disaster. Check it out on the Discovery Channel website.
Thanks for sharing Chris's ocean life with us. You can find more information on his work with Disasters at Sea here.There is also some fun stuff on the This Ocean Life Instagram and Facebook pages and we are also on Twitter ranting about all kinds of ocean stuff.
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.

Mike Lenane - Western Oz, SUP instructor, movie maker

In Episode 64 we speak with Mike Lenane, a man of Western Australia with strong passion for sharing the world of standup paddleboarding SUP with others. Mike takes us through his life growing up near Perth and the evolution of his ocean life with bodyboarding, surfing, and then SUP. We hear stories of Mike discovering SUP, building a lifestyle business around the sport, and his stoke for introducing others to the water. Mike talks about his video production work on projects like "SUP in the 1920's" a spin on the old silent movies and his latest project, "This is Stand Up Paddle" that puts a new twist on nature documentaries (you must watch it here on YouTube) and was part of the first SUP Film Fest. Mike also has a new YouTube channel, "The SUP Show" that dives into the world of SUP and all things ocean.
Thanks for sharing Mike's ocean life with us. You can find pictures and video of him on Facebook. Plus check out his Sunset Standup Paddle website. There is also some fun stuff on the This Ocean Life Instagram and Facebook pages and we are also on Twitter ranting about stuff.
This episode is sponsored by Burnout Suncare. A family-owned company based in Santa Cruz, CA that specializes in chemical-free, environmentally-friendly, reef-safe sunscreens for water sports athletes and health conscious families. Check them out at www.burnoutsun.com.
 

Stefan Simkovics - Navy officer, rescue swimmer, lifeguard, board paddler

In Episode 63 we speak with Stefan Simkovics, a man who found his passion for the ocean after spending time traveling the world with the US Navy. Stefan takes us through his enlistment process, choosing a ship to serve on, and the officer role he served on a 400 ft frigate ship. We hear of Stefan becoming a Navy rescue swimmer, his daily life on the ship, and operating along the east coast of Africa supporting operations to combat piracy. Stefan shares his perspective on finding his passion for surfing and prone paddling as he left the Navy and joined as a lifeguard in San Diego. 
Thanks for sharing Stefan's ocean life with us. You can find good stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV Instagram and Facebook pages. We are on Twitter ranting about anything cool happening in the ocean.
This episode is sponsored by Shearwater Paddleboards, a family-owned company that hand-crafts prone paddle boards and surfboards in rugged Northern California. If you want to be fast, smooth, and comfortable in the water check them out at www.ShearWaterPaddleboards.com