This Ocean Life Podcast

Patrick Webster -- underwater photography, conservation through story telling

In episode 81 we speak with Patrick Webster, an incredible underwater photographer with an artistic flair for capturing ocean scenes within the Monterey Bay and beyond. Patrick takes us through his transition from underwater video to photography and the community of local photographers he has around him in the Monterey area. We hear how Patrick's background with the UC Santa Cruz Marine Science program has influenced his photography and his focus on telling stories of the scenes and animals he photographs to inspire others. Patrick shares his perspective on developing social media content for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, a world leader in ocean education and conservation, and the importance of relating the ocean world to the everyday lives of people to help them understand and connect. We also hear about the amazing success story of Cabo Pulmo, a marine protected area near Cabo San Lucas, where Patrick has spent time photographing the amazing ocean life there.
Thanks for sharing Patrick's ocean life with us. Be sure to check out photos and videos of Patrick on Instagram. You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV Instagram and Facebook pages. We are on Twitter ranting about anything cool happening in the ocean.

Molokai 2 Oahu Stories: Part 2 - Gerry Lopez, Josh Riccio, Alice Henley, Jenn Lee, Mike Dilloughery

In part 2 of this multi-part series with stories and perspectives on the world's gnarliest paddle board race, Molokai 2 Oahu (M2O). Five of my past guests and current legends in the water -- Gerry Lopez, Josh Riccio, Alice Henley, Jenn Lee, Mike Dilloughery -- all share their past experiences paddling in the Kaiwi Channel (The Channel of Bones) including seasickness, poor choice of lines, horrific sunburns, dealing with mental fatigue, logistical nightmares, and much more.
Gerry Lopez podcast stories from M2O is available here.
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.
 

Hunter Pflueger -- Molokai 2 Oahu paddle stories

In the continuing series around the unofficial world championships of padde board racing, Molokai 2 Oahu (M2O), we speak with Hunter Pflueger on his past years in the Kaiwi Channel. Hunter takes us from his first relay team as a 13-year old grom up to today where he is focused on challenging to win the prone stock division. Hunter shares his stories of training for the event, persevering through the various areas of the channel, pushing through the mental and physical challenges paddlers face in this heavy 32-mile stretch of water. We hear of intense paddle battles with other racers, bumping rails across the channel, and epic finishes. Hunter provides a very humble and gracious perspective on the event, the paddle community, and his own family for providing strong support for him throughout the years. 
Thanks for sharing Hunter's M2O stories with us. Be sure to check out photos and videos of Hunter on Instagram. You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV Instagram and Facebook pages. We are on Twitter ranting about anything cool happening in the ocean.
 
 

Troy Nebeker Part 2 -- 24 hours of paddling for cancer

In episode 79 we bring back Troy Nebeker to hear about the 2019 24 Hour Paddle for cancer and the incredible grass roots growth that the event is experiencing. Troy takes us through the fun and challenge that his own Team Seattle faced in this 2019 event, shares some stories from other teams around the nation as they paddle around the clock in their local waters, and discusses the amazing growth within the paddle board community that this organic movement has experienced in the last 5 years. Troy and I talk shop about various aspects of the 24 Hour paddle including the sense of community, commitment, and physical challenges to being in the water in the middle of the night. A lot of great inspiration to do good for others through our own time in the ocean!
Thanks for sharing Troy's ocean life with us. You can find pictures and video of Troy on his Monster and Sea website and Instagram page. And always see some fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV Instagram and Facebook pages. We are also on Twitter ranting about anything cool happening in the ocean.
 

Gerry Lopez -- Molokai 2 Oahu paddle stories

In this continuation of our series of Molokai 2 Oahu paddle board race stories, we hear from the legend Gerry Lopez on his time in the Kaiwi Channel. Gerry takes us through the years he competed in the M2O event on relay teams, sharing tales of big seas, epic paddle battles to the finish, choosing the wrong line, and more. We hear Gerry's perspective on the challenging conditions that the Kaiwi Channel can provide, his respect for that water, and some neat history on the M2O event and the people who have been involved with keeping the tradition alive. Photo credit: Bernie Baker.
To learn more about the Molokai 2 Oahu event see their website at http://www.molokai2oahu.com/. You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV Instagram and Facebook pages. We are on Twitter ranting about anything cool happening in the ocean. 

Mellisa Altenburger - living afloat in Bahamas, free diving, scuba, ocean protection

In episode 76 we hear stories from Mellisa Altenburger, a woman of the water who has spent the last 6 years in the Bahamas. Mel takes us through her journey from South Africa to the Bahamas where she crews on a 100-ft cruising yacht and found her passion for being underwater. We hear of Mel's evolution with scuba and free diving, the wealth of wrecks and animals she regularly experiences in the Bahamas, and her amazing (and heart wrenching) story of working to save a green turtle who swallowed a fishing hook. Mel takes us through her strong passion for ocean conservation with trash cleanups, her work to capture the beauty of the Bahamian waters through underwater photography, and gives a great perspective on her love for the ocean -- something we can all identify with.
Thanks for sharing Mel's ocean life with us. Be sure to check out her amazing photos and videos on Instagram. You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV Instagram and Facebook pages. We are on Twitter ranting about anything cool happening in the ocean. 

Steve Shlens Part 2: Molokai to Oahu paddle stories

In this podcast episode we chat again with Steve Shlens talking about the seven Molokai 2 Oahu races he's competed in. Steve shares stories from his first time in the Kaiwi Channel and the hard learning curve everyone faces around travel, logistics, and paddling the race. We hear about Steve being lost in the Channel for 3+ hours when his escort boat was unable to locate him after the start plus great perspective on the mental challenges the race delivers and Steve's tactics for overcoming them. Steve relates stories of sinking boats, fixing large holes in his paddle board before the race, working with boat captains, and the overall amazing camaraderie of this very special event. Whether you've done M2O or are considering the attempt, there is plenty of great stories and perspective from Steve to enjoy.
Thanks for sharing Steve's M2O stories with us. Be sure to check out photos and videos of Steve on Instagram. You can hear Steve's Part 1 episode here. You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV Instagram and Facebook pages. We are on Twitter ranting about anything cool happening in the ocean. 
 

David Ochoa Part 2 -- spearfishing guide, Indo, Madagascar, Mexico, filming underwater

In Episode 75 we connect back with David Ochoa, one of my favorite spearos on the planet, and hear stories from the past six months of guiding and filming spearfishing trips around the world. David takes through his time scouting and leading spearfishing trips in Madagascar, Mexico, Azores, Panama, and Indonesia. David describes his version of fish paradise in Indo, sharing stories of huge fish and pristine waters. We hear stories of New Zealand and of David's massive kingie / yellowtail wrapping up at 40 meters deep and the group effort to bring the fish back to the boat. David talks about his recent film, Agua Negra, The Movie (which I love) and connecting with Red Bull to film their events. As always, David provides an amazing perspective on maintaining respect for the ocean, the fish we take, and the people we visit in our travels.
Thanks for sharing David's ocean life with us. Be sure to check out Agua Negra on Vimeo and amazing photos and videos of David on Instagram. You can hear David's Part 1 episode here. You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV Instagram and Facebook pages. We are on Twitter ranting about anything cool happening in the ocean.