The Grit! with Chas Smith

40 Episodes
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By: David Lee Scales

The Grit! is a weekly show co-hosted by David Lee Scales and Chas Smith discussing the most scintillating headlines from the surf world and BeachGrit.com. Part of the Surf Splendor Network.

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398 - The Grit! November 14, 2026
#398
Yesterday at 7:15 PM

In today's show Chas and David try their hand at True Crime to report on the potential of justice being served in Costa Rica, the school shooting that was thwarted after a surfer sough revenge against grumpy locals, the dangers of sharing a dark secret, and they reflect on not watching the latest wave pool air show, learn about a new sonic scourge in the line up, and reflect on their fondest childhood memory that would now result in a felony. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


397 - The Grit! November 9, 2026
#397
Last Monday at 3:28 PM

In today's show David and Chas draw life inspiration from platitude signs while "Flip Flop Livin'" in Florida, plumb the depths of Steve Hawk until 2am, learn how to navigate Florida's soft line-up, have a foil revelation, wonder why Scandinavians surf better than they do, and then they dissect the latest writings from Derek Hynd, which were never meant to be published, and reflect on how humans can hold truths about themselves that the rest of world identifies as falsehood. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


396 - The Grit! October 30, 2026
#396
10/30/2026

In today's show Chas and David uncover new layers and direct stories of assault starting to emerge from the surf industry indicating a far more pervasive problem than previously known and a policy in place at the WSL which may have unintentionally silenced witnesses from identifying powerful men's misconduct, Chas regales with confessions from his reluctant longboard journey, they discover how to be brave in big waves, and they learn what to do when your wife refuses to dress up for Halloween. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


395 - The Grit! October 22, 2026
#395
10/22/2026

In today's show David and Chas discuss the past surf stories of sexual misconduct that are now coming to light under the lens of the recent Al Cleland Jr. accusations and they analyze how such a pervasive system of abuse and concealment persevered for decades, they envision what a realistic reckoning might look like, reveal details behind the cancellation of a power broker directly related to the recent allegations, and begin to outline Chas's next exposé book project. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


394 - The Grit! October 17, 2026
#394
10/17/2026

In today's show Chas and David discuss the horrific sexual assault allegations against CT surfer Al Cleland Jr and surf photographers Ryan Craig and Domenic Mosqueira, the other women who have come forward with past allegations, the women who brought attention to the alleged offenders for prior incidents, the surf industry's track record of covering up and neglecting to inform authorities of crimes, and why it is crucial that the surf community holds itself to a higher standard than society holds it's politicians, celebrities, and clergy. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Attempt to enjoy.


393 - The Grit! October 9, 2026
#393
10/10/2026

In today's show David and Chas plead to the industry for an invite to their new fav surf event, discover why greatness requires patience, determine when to regulate the grumpy local, learn that shapers forget their fins too, feel guilty for peeking at your phone, take the Rat Taxi out of the lineup, and cringe about the time David almost become the butt of his own joke. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


392 - The Grit! October 2, 2026
#392
10/02/2026

In today's show David receives unsolicited pics from a naughty listener, Chas plays a game of Speed Scroll, and then the boys dissect how the surf event of the year dropped and didn't make a splash, learn why you ought not catch two good waves in a row, discover one unconventional trait the best surfers do the exact opposite of you, realize that their parents devised a game to ditch them, and advise what to do when your dog is a bit to amorous. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


391 - The Grit! September 25, 2026
#391
09/25/2026

In today's show Chas and David learn about the celestial force that's gifted Erin Brooks her 3-peat, they discover a new tactic to help reduce crowds in the line-up potentially permanently, decide when a Chinese wax job may be worth while, figure out why people smile after a wipe-out, reveal that humans love imperfect pets more, and uncover a hack that could allow you to access all of your wildest dreams. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


390 - The Grit! September 18, 2026
#390
09/18/2026

In today's show David and Chas calculate the fallout from Lowers, learn the ultimate strategy to neg fellow surfers, rank a hierarchy of terms for tube time, heed a very critical warning about the dangers of regulating in the lineup, discover the most versatile word in the English language, finally find a way to clear the calendar, and seek imperial evidence to determine if they are, in fact, idiots. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


389 - The Grit! September 11, 2026
#389
09/11/2026

In today's show Chas and David learn how the WSL's Ai assistant needs to learn who Occy is, they survey the Poo Poo touches lingering affects on Lowers, identify the surf world figure who now owns the fanciest car in all of surfing, hear about which pro went well beyond unsolicited advice and made things physical, learn why you should always defer "shotgun", never wear dangles, and your sole surf pursuit should be to get barreled. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


388 - The Grit! September 4, 2026
#388
09/04/2026

In today's show David and Chas send a mole into the San Clemente mafia to infiltrate the manosphere and learn about their Godfather, get a cavity from Erin Brooks but court her as ambassador for their next big biz venture, learn why coaching is needed to make the CT but will prevent you every winning a title, determine that JOB will to start a jazz band if he ever wants proper respect, and they discover that children are the prototype for the narcissistic personality type. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


387 - The Grit! August 31, 2026
#387
09/01/2026

In today's show Chas gets the scoop on David's Peru trip and the boys discuss their sustaining love affair with midlengthed surfboards, learn about the virtues of the Twinzer, extoll the joys of watching a live comp with a crowd, lambast Tyler for rewriting how low a claim can go, discover the two disparate groups allowed to wear floatation, and discuss the dangers of being sponsored by an alcohol brand. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


386 - The Grit! August 20, 2026
#386
08/20/2026

In today's show David and Chas learn the dangers of appropriating foreign language, discover the secret to how an independent surf brand can become the next corporate conglomerate, distill how fragile the essence of aloha is, learn why the alpha's hatred of you has nothing to do with your gender, learn the value of shedding your neoprene, and why you should be very wary of any man who wants to wax your board. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


385 - The Grit! August 14, 2026
#385
08/14/2026

In today's show the boys celebrate Chas's 50th birthday with finally giving credit to their favorite folly-makers, Kelly gets their applause, Griff surfs his way into their hearts, except ELO still stays in the creep zone and the WSL learns a lesson on why they shouldn't be influenced by a shaka, but then a listener reminds how you're only one elevator ding away from a better life, and the boys harken back to a time when the gals risked everything in a teeny bikini. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


384 - The Grit! August 6, 2026
#384
08/07/2026

In today's show Chas and David defend and attack (respectively) JOB's recent podcast appearance and wonder if being a savant precludes one from all other sympathetic human character traits, question if Jonah Hill would annihilate them in surfing, marvel at JJF's continued development, question the race ethics in Hollywood casting, learn the dangers and benefits of fake tanning, and put a specific value on living on the beach. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


383 - The Grit! July 30, 2026
#383
07/30/2026

In today's show David and Chas soak in the absurdity of Huntington Beach, tally the rampant injuries plaguing high-level middle aged surfers, clock another frivolous wave pool lawsuit, offer unsolicited advice to a movement coach on how to reduce her fury, learn why the WSL is pivoting to matchmaking, play hard-to-get with the siren call of yoga, and warn what can happen if you drink milk as an adult. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


382 - The Grit! July 23, 2026
#382
07/23/2026

In today's show Chas and David peek into the future of virtual reality surfing to feel the sensation of JJF's carve at Margs and calculate what is lost in the journey, they articulate precisely where and when the backside Windshield Wiper can and should be used, long for the return of the Floater, give Meola and Layer their due applause a decade too late, learn why Gerry doesn't have time for Pipeline, and resist the return of Y2K. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


381 - The Grit! July 16, 2026
#381
07/16/2026

In today's show David and Chas do a deep investigation to out the poser who is trying to dupe you into buying a soft top, discover the scientifically proven unit of infraction Kell and Griff broke the code of ethics, clock the appropriate time to wait for a beach parking spot, reveal surf's sordid history with sexual innuendo, and explain why it's okay (nay, advisable!) to go gay with your best bud. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


380 - The Grit! July 10, 2026
#380
07/10/2026

In today's show David and Chas find the ultimate forecast tool to survey the surf report without the risk of getting sucked into the social media phone vortex, Griff accidentally leaks evidence that he's in one of surfing's most secretive and exclusive cabals, a listener sulks through reality after the comedown of the perfect Maldivian surf trip, KS Wave Co Austin faces financial peril, and the boys learn why making out with your spouse may salve the seven-year itch. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


Poopoo Touch by DJ Seaweed
07/09/2026

A classic from the ELO era, wherein the WSL CEO had the opposite of the Midas Touch. Produced and performed by the one and only DJ Seaweed. Enjoy.


379 - The Grit! July 3, 2026
#379
07/03/2026

In today's show Chas and David reevaluate the legacy's of surfing's most notorious big wave icon and OG stylists, reflect on the inauspicious inception of the CT's latest venue, celebrate surf culture's funeral with a DJ set by Paris Hilton and the unlikely return of a surfer lost at sea, then wonder if demo days are a scourge and warn about the dangers of sleeping in the buff. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


378 - The Grit! June 26, 2026
#378
06/26/2026

In today's show David and Chas review the Louis Vuitton surf capsule and fashion show, acknowledge one of the most influential surfers of this generation, make an alarming accusation at Surfer Magazine, reveal the heralded world champ who tried to cut the bathroom line, measure the distance from the beach it's acceptable to ride a bike in a bikini, and warn the dangers of having a favorite surfer as an adult. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


377 - The Grit! June 22, 2026
#377
06/22/2026

In today's show Chas gives the Moroccan surf report and finally unlocks the joys of big boarding, David fills him in on the major upsets in Brazil, and the cisgender white males dissect Tyler Wright's oral sex pantomime claim, reveal the greatest surf magazine cover of all time, advise on a perfect must-have surf caboodle, and explain the dangers of crying as an adult male. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


376 - The Grit! June 12, 2026
#376
06/12/2026

In today's show, live from Morocco, David and Chas bid a fond farewell to a moderation great, reveal how the WSL hamstrung an innocent CT surfer's potential, get floored by the souliest surfer's lauding of chlorinated tube time, explain why you should never dab someone up, navigate how to rewrite your social media history, and learn about the time Megan Fox got to see Chas embarrass his family. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


375 - The Grit! June 5, 2026
#375
06/05/2026

In today's show Chas and David question the ethics of the El Salvador local who kicked his board at Jack Robinson, survey Italo's laceration from a different local, witness a near end of life at End Of The Road, learn the exact timeline of Taj's employ at Hayden, hear about old school street justice from Sunny Garcia, explain the relief that comes from horse massage, and identify that there are far worse things than being anal. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


374 - The Grit! May 29, 2026
#374
05/29/2026

In today's show David and Chas question the intelligence quotient required to be labeled a "boob", worry about the Dora household dynamics, question the purity of Stab's latest winner amidst a bombshell of new truth, pay remembrance to one of California's surfing savants, and determine the exact age to stop fighting back pain and accept a hobbled life. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


373 - The Grit! May 21, 2026
#373
05/21/2026

In today's show Chas and David fantasize about a life after quitting surfing, wonder the pleasures of dragging their nether regions through a gapping pit, finally pay respects to Hamana Kalili, flirt with the idea of a having a surfboard dalliance, discover the ultimate White Person Problem, and endeavor to teach the youth the exquisite pleasure of snapping a towel on someone's butt. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


372 - The Grit! May 15, 2026
#372
05/15/2026

In today's show David and Chas laud the successes of Stab High, grimace at the horror show in Raglan, bask in the retribution of the monk seal attacker, attempt to rewire their personalities, discover why kindness is the new cool, identify a theme unique to all Curren stories, learn how to prime the body to find a soulmate, learn that nudity isn't all it's cracked up to be, and question your surf prowess if you've never broken a board. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


371 - The Grit! May 7, 2026
#371
05/07/2026

In today's show Chas and David demarcate fighting's return to surf culture, welcome back vigilante justice and false cracks, celebrate the uber competitive Snapper Rocks comp, discover Joel Tudor's presidential ancestor and realize the reason for his need to educate, discover a Multilevel Marketing Scheme has been masquerading as a marital art for 700 years, and advise what to do when you start morphing into your pet. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


370 - The Grit! May 1, 2026
#370
05/01/2026

In today's show David and Chas welcome Steph back to her rightful position, investigate the real source of Carissa's weepy win, discover why this new unsponsored era of pro surfing might foster a return to personalities, question whether the rabid Brazzo surf fan is actually the lowest form of fandom, celebrate the generosity of one our OG surf champs, and revel in the benevolent glow of giving away surfboards. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


369 - The Grit! April 24, 2026
#369
04/24/2026

In today’s show Chas and David mark the entry to professional surfing’s new era of ultra fitness, and then witness surfing’s core score plummet as Kim K enters the lineup, Zeke joins OnlyFans, “Yew!” hits peak saturation, then Garet from Central Coast outshines Kelly Slater with a single wave, and Andy Irons returns to yet again for another merch drop opportunity. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!

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369 - The Grit! April 24, 2026
#369
04/24/2026

In today's show Chas and David mark the entry to professional surfing's new era of ultra fitness, and then witness surfing's core score plummet as Kim K enters the lineup, Zeke joins OnlyFans, "Yew!" hits peak saturation, then Garet from Central Coast outshines Kelly Slater with a single wave, and Andy Irons returns to yet again for another merch drop opportunity. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


368 – The Grit! April 21, 2026
#368
04/23/2026

In today’s show David recaps his Nicaragua trip and shares new enlightenment gleaned through exhaustion and surf satiation, then Chas offers a gentle acceptance of Prince Harry into the surf world brethren, and the boys review surf etiquette signs and attempt to find universality for a code of conduct before discovering the perils of cliff diving and drinking on the job. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


368 - The Grit! April 21, 2026
#368
04/21/2026

In today's show David recaps his Nicaragua trip and shares new enlightenment gleaned through exhaustion and surf satiation, then Chas offers a gentle acceptance of Prince Harry into the surf world brethren, and the boys review surf etiquette signs and attempt to find universality for a code of conduct before discovering the perils of cliff diving and drinking on the job. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


367 - The Grit! April 10, 2026
#367
04/10/2026

In today’s show Chas and David get even deeper scoop about Britt vs Kelly’s burgeoning Blood Feud, identify the biggest headline coming out of Bells despite the horrendous surf, survey the potential good that Firewire has done for local craftsmen shapers, get a reality check about their own obnoxious privilege, and warn of the dangers of calling your in-laws “mom” and “dad”. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!

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367 - The Grit! April 10, 2026
#367
04/10/2026

In today's show Chas and David get even deeper scoop about Britt vs Kelly's burgeoning Blood Feud, identify the biggest headline coming out of Bells despite the horrendous surf, survey the potential good that Firewire has done for local craftsmen shapers, get a reality check about their own obnoxious privilege, and warn of the dangers of calling your in-laws "mom" and "dad". Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!


366 - The Grit! April 3, 2026
#366
04/03/2026

In today's show David Lee Noem get's outed in the most provocative Doppelgänger yet, one surf commentator openly opines about a 21 year old surfer's derriere, RC surfers return to harass grumpy locals, the boys receive a call from Tom Curren's parrot, and get an update from the flooded front lines of the North Shore, and Sterling Spencer teaches how to lure an audience with the use of ASMR. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!

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366 - The Grit! April 3, 2026
#366
04/03/2026

In today’s show David Lee Noem get’s outed in the most provocative Doppelgänger yet, one surf commentator openly opines about a 21 year old surfer’s derriere, RC surfers return to harass grumpy locals, the boys receive a call from Tom Curren’s parrot, and get an update from the flooded front lines of the North Shore, and Sterling Spencer teaches how to lure an audience with the use of ASMR. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


365 - The Grit! March 27, 2026
#365
03/27/2026

In today's show Chas reveals the story behind his new Surfer's Journal piece on Laird Hamilton as David reveals Laird latest display of ridiculousness, Slater is revealed as a fallen angel by the Fittest Flat Earther, and the boys learn why stretchy board shorts created their poor style, and how to smoke screen your friends on your next trip. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!

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365 - The Grit! March 27, 2026
#365
03/27/2026

In today’s show Chas reveals the story behind his new Surfer’s Journal piece on Laird Hamilton as David reveals Laird latest display of ridiculousness, Slater is revealed as a fallen angel by the Fittest Flat Earther, and the boys learn why stretchy board shorts created their poor style, and how to smoke screen your friends on your next trip. Plus Barrel or Nah?! Enjoy!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices