This Ocean Life Podcast

#55: Ted Harty - Freediving instructor, record holder, Immersion Freediving program

In Episode 55 we speak with Ted Harty, a man dedicated to helping freedivers around the world stay safe and and enjoy this great sport.Ted takes us through leaving his 9-5 corporate job for a life of scuba diving in the Florida Keys and ultimately finding his passion for freediving. We hear of Ted's pursuit to improve his freediving skills, training with some of the best in the world, and becoming a highly successful competitive freediver where he set a US National record for dynamic apnea. Along the way Ted became the US National Freediving Coach and found another passion for helping others to be safe in the water. Ted takes us through his approach to developing his Immersion Freediving training program that provides both in-water and online components intended to educate divers anywhere on how to dive safe. Ted also shares the recent launch of www.FreeDivingSafety.com, an amazing online resource of information for all freedivers.
Thanks for sharing Ted's ocean life with us. You can find pictures and video of him on Instagram and Facebook pages. View all of Ted’s online freediving classes www.onlineclasses.ImmersionFreediving.com -- enter coupon code OCEANLIFE to receive 20% off all online courses!!
You can also find good stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV Instagram and Facebook pages. We are on Twitter ranting about anything cool happening in the ocean.

#54: Stefano Ulivi - Diving and filming the Azores, shark conservation

In episode 54 we speak with Stefano Ulivi, a man of Italy who has devoted his life to raising awareness of ocean conservation through underwater filming. Stefano describes the underwater world of the Azores, an island group off the coast of Portugal, where he leads scuba diving tours and films the amazing animals of this special place. We hear of Pico Island, a relatively new volcanic island that hosts huge schools of manta rays and many species of marine mammals. Stefano shares his story of finding his passion for the ocean and his perspective on the evident decline in shark populations due to overfishing and poor management. We hear of trips to Tonga and Baja California where Stefano interacted with a 2-week old humpback whale and a 'tornado' of huge fish. Stefano shares a ton of enthusiasm for protecting the ocean that we can all be inspired by.
Thanks for sharing Stefano's ocean life with us. You can find pictures and video of Stefano 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.

#53: Jenn Lee (part 2) - 4 Molokai channel crossings, ocean canoe, SUP racing

In episode 53 we continue our conversation with Jenn Lee, a woman of Oahu who raced across the Kaiwi Channel on 4 different paddle craft in 2018. Jenn picks up toward the end of her race season as she joins a novice 6-man outrigger canoe team to battle the best teams in the world in the Na Wahine O Ke Kai race. We hear the story of Jenn's team challenging the field, working through the always gnarly Kaiwi Channel, and taking an epic inside line through the surf at Waikiki to make an amazing finish. Jenn then takes us to California where she immediately competes in SUP races of Battle of the Bay and Pacific Paddle Games, capping an incredible year of paddle racing. And of course, we talk pet chickens as well :)
Thanks for sharing Jenn's ocean life with us. You can find pictures and video of her on Instagram and Facebook pages. You can also 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
 
 

#52: Mike Wood - Santa Cruz surfing life in the 1950s

In Episode 52 we speak with Mike Wood, a lifelong surfer who grew up in the cold, kelpy waters of Santa Cruz in the 1950's. Mike takes us back to that time and describes the beach and surf scene in Santa Cruz and what the line-up was like at famous breaks like Cowells and Steamer Lane. We hear of Mike experimenting with various ways to stay warm in the cold water, like wearing wool sweaters, before the wetsuit came out and what the boards of that time were like to ride (and carry up the cliff!). Mike shares his stories of interacting with Jack O'neill, hanging out down at the 'Surf Shack', and many other characters who made the beach their home back in the 50's. Mike tells great stories of exploring the rugged Santa Cruz coast and finding new, unknown waves and taking a surf trip with his buddies down to Southern California when he was 15 years old. A ton of great nostalgia and depiction of teen surf life during this golden era of surfing.
Thanks for sharing Mike's ocean life with us. There is 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.

#51: Victoria Burgess - Cuba to Florida world record holder, ocean athlete

In Episode 51 we speak with Victoria Burgess, an incredible woman of the water and world record holder. Victoria shares her stories of paddling 115 miles from Cuba to Florida in 27 hours to break the World Record for fastest solo female SUP paddle to cross the Florida Straits. We hear of Victorias approach to training for her record paddle, years of competitive surfing and SUP racing, paddling in Molokai 2 Oahu, and finding her love for foiling and the waters of Southern Florida. Victoria shares her thoughts on nutrition and training for competitive paddling and her philosophy around preparing body and mind for endurance sports in the water.
Thanks for sharing Victoria's ocean life with us. You can find pictures and video of Victoria on Instagram, Facebook, and her website. You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV 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) — designed in California by folks who surf and paddle every day. Check them at www.Mile22.com.

Stoked Grom Stories #2 - Jonah Susskind - world traveler, surfer, board paddler

In Episode 2 of Stoked Grom Stories we talk with a legend-in-the-making, Jonah Susskind. Jonah takes us through his life of surfing and paddling in Santa Cruz, traveling and surfing the world in locations such as El Salvador and Samoa, and enjoying a strong crew of great friends in the water. We hear of Jonah paddling in the 12-mile Jay Moriarty Paddleboard Race at age 10, his pursuit of becoming a well rounded man of the water, volunteering his time to help less fortunate kids with Ride-A-Wave, and love for french fries over tater tots (!).
Thanks for sharing Jonah's ocean life with us. You can find pictures and video of Jonah on his Instagram page. 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, a strong supporter of the groms and 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. Enjoy the Humble Pursuit.
 
 

#50: Mick Di Betta - Lifeguard, Ocean Athlete Trainer, Molokai to Oahu Legend

In Episode 50 (50!?) we speak with one of my favorite legends in the board paddling world, Mick Di Betta. Mick takes us through his amazing life of growing up in the waters of Gold Coast with heavy focus on surf lifesaving, surfing, and competitive sports. We hear of Mick developing a strong connection with the Hawaiian ocean community, creating his very first paddling training program, and winning the inaugural Molokai 2 Oahu (M20) race in 1997. Mick shares his perspective on his first time in the Kaiwi Channel and paddling in the M2O event for over 22 years since while training many of the top competitors. We get some great insight into Mick's approach to performance training and the impact he made to SUP board design. Plus so much more from this board paddling legend... (Photos courtesy of Chris Aguilar)
Thanks for sharing Mick's ocean life with us. You can find pictures and video of him on Instagram and Facebook pages. Also learn more about how you can benefit from Mick's training program on his JustPaddling.com website. You can also 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

#49: Allen Bushnell - Kayak Fisherman, Guide, Ocean Community Builder

In episode 49 we chat with Allen "Bushy" Bushnell, a lifelong fisherman, surfer, and character. Bushy takes us through his life of growing up in California and New Jersey, surfing, and discovering his love for fishing with the gift of a fly rod from his father. We hear of discovering the ocean kayak as a fishing platform and Bushy's stories of avid fishing in his local California waters, losing kayaks in the Monterey Bay, tales of big "mola molas", and his passion for guiding others in their own fishing education. Bushy shares some fun stories of his recent time in the Ass Hole Invitational (AHI) fishing trip and catching (and missing) his most memorable fish. Throughout, Bushy shares a humble perspective on community, fishing, being in the ocean, and life.
Thanks for sharing Bushy's ocean life with us. You can find pictures and video of him on Facebook. Plus check out his Norcal Kayak Anglers website to learn more about the community of kayak anglers. 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.