This Ocean Life Podcast

Sailing Wildside -- kiteboard adventure trips, Caribbean, Greece, life afloat

** Interview episode 117 **
Today we hear the rad story of two people coming together and building a lifestyle business around their love of the ocean. This story of Steve and Monika takes us from the waters around Turkey where they first bonded over their mutual obsession for kiteboarding, to their time around the Greek Islands, crossing the Atlantic, and into the Caribbean where they are today. We hear about Steve and Monika running their adventure travel business aboard their sailing catamaran, treating guests to the beautiful waters and wind of the Caribbean, and enjoying their own ocean life living afloat. If you’re into kiting, sailing, or just pure freedom on the ocean, you’ll like today’s story from Steve and Monika.
Once we get back to normal life after the COVID-19 pandemic and you’re itching for an adventure on the water, check out what Steve and Monika are up to at SailingWildside.com. Top notch comfort, amazing setting, and great hosts — you won’t go wrong :) 
You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  
 

Francesca Trotman -- protecting waters and wildlife of Mozambique, alternatives to shark finning

** Interview episode 116 **
Francesca Trotman has dedicated her life to preserving the marine life of Mozambique. As a British scholar and marine biologist, Francesca formed a deep connection to the ocean animals in this part of Africa during her university field work and has since planted roots in the country, working with local governments and communities on a number of fronts to help preserve their ocean waters. From setting up marine protected areas to engaging on numerous scientific studies, educating local school children and more, Francesca’s non-profit foundation, Love The Oceans, is her legacy for protecting the ocean in that area of the African continent. Today, we hear her story, filled with inspiration, compassion, and dedication to doing something great for the ocean and another culture outside of her own. 
What I love so much about Francesca’a story today is her dedication to helping an emerging country, Mozambique, figure out how to best preserve and protect their wonderfual ocean waters and the animals that live in them. While these waters may be thousands of miles away from most of us, the whales, sharks, mantas, and dolphins know no boundaries and need all the support and protection that we can give them.
 
Imagine donating a mere $10 to Love The Oceans today and feeling good about helping to protect these species we’re hearing about in Mozambique, giving them a better chance to thrive in the waters around a developing continent and greatly increasing the chance that our own grandchildren will be able to swim with them in the future. Visit LoveTheOceans.org and see the various ways you can contribute. With Earth Day 2020 happening this week, it makes good sense to to get involved... And check out Francesca's photography available for purchase on her website https://francescatrotman.co.uk/
 
You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  

Erin Carey -- family sailing in the Caribbean, trans-Atlantic crossing, S/V ROAM

** Interview episode 115 **
Erin Carey and family set out to sail the world with zero previous experience at sea. With true grit, determination, and some luck her family of 5 enjoyed 18 months sailing the Caribbean aboard S/V ROAM and topped it off with an Atlantic crossing into the Azores. With moments of inspiration and perseverance to the incredibly sketchy and borderline dangerous, this is the story of Erin, her family, and sailing vessel ROAM. See more about Erin, S/V ROAM, and her company ROAM Generation.
You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  
With the current state of plastic pollution, climate change, and COVID-19, I’d say it’s a perfect time for each of us to make a long-term change. Any change, in any way that reduces our footprint on the world leaving more possibility for future generations to enjoy the magic of the ocean. Moving to reusable silicon bags instead of plastic for your food storage is one, buying local and sustainable farmed seafood or produce is another, or skipping Starbucks a couple times a month and donating that money to a non-profit doing good for the world. The list of possibilities is long and I guarantee there is something in it for each of us. So get creative and get committed.
 

Sam Hart -- ocean paddling, Coolangatta Gold and M2O competitor

** Interview episode 114 **
Sam Hart is a man of the paddle. With deep experience in surf ski racing, including a relay win at Molokai 2 Oahu in 2017, he rounds out his paddling with both the prone and SUP boards. Along the Sydney's Northern Beaches Sam has been involved in the surf rescue club lifestyle for many years, contributing as active volunteer, and strong team competitor in local events, including the famous Coolangatta Gold where Sam ran, swam, ski paddled, and board paddled his way to top finishes in 2012 and 2013. With a strong focus on outdoor lifestyle and raising his kids in the water, Sam shares with us a humble perspective on his ocean life around Sydney his love for paddling. I caught up with Sam in late March of 2020, in the middle of the COVID pandemic.
 
** Friendly PSA to us all **
No story ever told by a guest on This Ocean Life is as gnarly as what’s happening around the world today from the COVID-19 virus. My heart goes out to people around the world suffering from the virus and my request here goes out to all the rest of us to contribute in any way we can. Whether its being a bit more patient in line at the gas pump or donating a few bucks to help purchase lacking medical supplies in your area, we can all help out. So take a minute and Google up something that you can do to help, then do it. Best of health to us all.
You can find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  

Stoked Grom Stories: Cooper Sisters -- sailing South Pacific, surfing, diving, life afloat

** Stoked Grom Stories Episode 7 **
Growing up in my hometown of Santa Cruz, CA, The Cooper Sisters, 9 year old Isla and 12 year old Malia, left it all behind with their parents for life at sea. Since January 2019, the entire family has been living in the South Pacific aboard sailing vessel Renegade where the girls have transformed personally, spiritually, and athletically.
With daily life of surfing, diving, fishing, and sailing both Malia and Isla have chosen unique paths in the ocean, developing strength and confidence extremely unique for their age — from surfing hollow waves to diving with sharks. With frequent visits to the outer Fijian Islands, the girls have developed strong understanding and respect for the customs of tribal culture and have made friends with villagers, attended local school, and developed their own strong sense of self-confidence.
To see more about the Cooper Family, visit their website at http://www.sailingwithrenegade.com/. You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  
 
 

Greg Norman Jr -- kiting, surfing, spearfishing, world travel

** Interview Episode 113 **
With a family name synonymous with the sport of golf, Greg Norman Jr has carved out an incredibly deep and well—rounded life in the ocean. From growing up in the waters of Florida to years on Maui Greg has developed love and skill for riding all types of boards on the water — from surfing, kiting, foiling, to wake boarding. Adding on to this a strong passion for the hunt, Greg pushes himself underwater with spearfishing both reefs and blue water, enjoying getting lost in the flow that being in the ocean provides to us all. Throughout, Greg has placed high emphasis on close connection to family and providing greater access to board sports for all with his Shark Cable Park. We started our conversation around the role that the ocean played in his recent engagement to his wife-to-be (it’s a rad story).
Check out the Shark Cable Park at www.sharkwakepark.com
It’s no secret that I love fish art and KC Scott, a name you’ll hear a few times on today’s episode, is one of my favorite marine artists out there. Whether it’s blue marlin pushing bait or a hog fish hovering above the reef, KC captures scenes of the wild that many of us lay awake at night dreaming about. Have a look at kcscottartist.com and if you find apparel or artwork that you like, enter coupon code OCEAN20 (all caps) at checkout and you’ll get 20% off your order. When you do you’ll be supporting this family owned and operated business that’s dedicated to helping us all grow our connection to the ocean.
 
Other pieces to our conversation:
Growing up with his father introducing Greg to the ocean — surfing, diving
Living on Maui and pursuing love for kiting — competing professionally in the early 2000’s
Story of his first date spearfishing with his wife to be
Discuss the ins and outs of foiling and how it changes our perspective on waves
Kiting and wake boarding trip in Prince William Sound Alaska with hair raising exit by boat
Wearing dry suits to wakeboard and forgetting to zipper
Spearfishing in the Bahamas and team sport of hunting and landing cobia
Wonder and beauty of interacting with sharks underwater
Sense of flow in golf and sports in the ocean and challenge of changing your mindset to slow down and focus on the present
 
You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  
 
 

Shannon Quirk -- big wave world tour, empowering women in the water

** Interview Episode 112 **
 
From professional snowboarding to organizing big wave surfing events, Shannon Quirk has been part of the action sports world for over a decade. As a reporter and coordinator with the WSL Big Wave Tour Shannon has developed a close connection with the world's big wave breaks and the men and women who charge them. From Argentina to Portugal to Hawaii, Shannon has lived seasonally in amazing locations building a global community of friends and family that have supported her in both her surfing and professional snowboarding. Throughout, Shannon has placed high emphasis on empowering women through sport and has been heavily involved with gender equity on the big wave tour and as an advocate of health and wellness of us all through day-to-day activity in the ocean.
 
Lots of great videos on Shannon’s YouTube channel and a close look at latest North Shore news and events — check her out at shannonreporting.com.
Other pieces of our conversation with Shannon:
Settling down on Oahu, life-giving nature of the ocean, surfing, and yoga
Living in various places around the world including Maui, with big focus on Nazare, Portugal for 3 years
Similarities of Portugal to Northern California — cold water, wetsuits and thick heavy waves
Working for the Big Wave Tour and ‘family' aspect of big wave surfers
Knew as a youth that journalism was the path she wanted to pursue
Focus on growing movement of women in big wave surfing and finding new ways to showcase women in the 
Starting live reporting for Surf Channel at Mavericks and refining her craft of reporting over the years
Dynamics of big wave rescue, driving jet skis, and preparing to help yourself and others in big surf
Spent years as a pro snowboarder and traveling the world to chase winters. 
Shannon talks about her quiver on the North Shore — big wave boards down to 6’5 
The importance of yoga in Shannon’s regular routine
 
You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  
 
 

Chris Fuentes -- a better insect repellant, spread of insect-borne diseases

** Interview Episode #111 **
Chris Fuentes knows first hand about the growing spread of insect-born diseases associated with global warming. After battling with his own case of Lyme Disease, Chris has seen friends and family deal with the spread of ticks in the Northeastern US and associated Lyme Disease they carry. His passion for helping others while bringing a great product to market has led him on his path to develop the next generation of insect repellants, Ranger Ready, that is 100% effective while being 100% safe for people and the environment. The key ingredient, Picaridin, is a proven alternative to DEET, the not-so-good-for-you-or-the-environment ingredient in the big green bottle repellants that most of us are used to. Whether battling no-see-ums on the sand or mosquitos along the coast, Picaridin is the right choice for us to defend aginst insect born diseases in this warming world. After meeting Chris at Surf Expo I had the opportunity to spend time talking with him where we started with his own experience Lyme Disease.
 
 
Whether on a tropical surf trip or paddling the backwaters of temperate climates we are constantly exposed to biting insects that can pose a threat to our health. With the proven and healthy ingredient of Picaridin, Ranger Ready products are awesome non-toxic alternatives to the big green can repellants we are used to. With or without scent, Ranger Ready comes in a variety of applications to best protect us, from pump spray to lotion. Check them out at RangerReady.com and enter the coupon code Ocean10 (capital ‘O’) to get 10% off of your order. Now, let’s get on back to Chris.
 
You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate