The Insiders' Podcast

Episode 212 - SPECIAL GUEST - Lets Talk Everything Surfboards With Kale Brock. 

A friend of The Insiders, founder of Kale Brock Designs, jumps on a call to chat surfboards, designs, theories, testing and more with Matt. 

Kale and the team at Kale Brock Designs have opened up Batch Shipments to make boards more available across the planet at better prices, so now they are easier to get, we wanted to hear more about what's behind them, the work that goes into each design and what we can expect in the future too. 

It's alw...

Episode 211 - Burns, Barrels and Big Airs - Cloud 9 Event Review

A new event that we think should stay around for a long time! A great wave, that ran in a short time, with little down time. We saw a lot of waves, wipeouts and world class surfing. 

What did you think of the event?

Medina and Caity take the win, Riss Riss made a big mistake and wildcards took down some huge names. 

We also chat about some recent surfing we have seen and a kook and core! 

Tun...

Episode 210 - Comp Special - Our wrap on Portugal & preview on Cloud 9. This could be special. 

We are back to a regular scheduled talking point. We are in full comp mode for this one. Firstly we chat about Portugal and the main talking points that went down. 

We break down the finals day, how hard that wave is to surf, the stand out sections and what we thought on both the ladies and gents performance's. 

Then we switch focus to Cloud 9 in the Philippines, a high performance, punchy reef break that looks like it...

Episode 209 - It's Time For Change. Men Need To Do Better. - Trigger Warning. 

We are back. Earlier this week we spoke just after Noah Klapp stepped up and posted her incredibly strong Instagram post. A few days have passed, more news has come out, some people have shown their good colours and some people have shown they are stupid, to say the least. 

We are back with our take on this, now a few more days have passed. We are just as aware and emotional and have more information. Yes, we speak some harsh tr...

Episode 208 - Trigger Warning - This Is Real Bad! 

We planned to record a podcast and 5 minutes before Noah Klapp posted her incredibly brave and extremely vile post regarding Alan Cleland Junior, so our takes are pretty fresh, raw, emotional and it has to be said, Darren hadn't seen Noah's post until after the episode and he was horrified by it too. 

We do talk about new boards on order, some kook or core subjects, Matt's recent trip to Lost Shore and upcoming events, but this all falls aside to the important and horrific message an...

Episode 207 - How Did Darren Snap His Board? We discuss broken boards, Quiksilver Festival, WSL and more! 

It's been a busy few weeks and episode's have been a little slower but we are back and it's a banger! 

We give inside scoop from the Quiksilver Festival, we break down the new Natural Selection and how disappointing it was. We finally chat about what happened at Lowers from the last WSL spot and also mention the latest from the Challenger Series event in Brazil.

This covers most but stick around for why Darren might ha...

Episode 206 - Classic Yarn. Board Talk, Quiksilver Festival Insights & More!

Doing what we do best, talking about general surf things. We speak about surfboards, in particular Firewire's and Slater Designs and what people seem to say or think about them! 

Along with this, we chat about what we will be seeing in the Quiksilver festival, some surfs we have had recently, and some great edits and clips we have seen online.

Have you seen the new Rivvia Projects clip? R Cal is BACK! And talking about being back, Hayden Shapes dropped an edit t...

Episode 205 - Have we not learnt from our lessons?

We may have got in trouble before, and we may have done it again. You'll have to listen to hear why, and if you hear it, DM us and tell us. 

Other than that, we bring you trestles talk & EAST opinions. 

We give our opinions on what will happen at Lowers over the next week or so when the WSL hit's town for a regular season event for this first time in a while. See if you agree with our thoughts, picks and more! 

Episode 204 - Fijian Thoughts - A Review On What Has Just Happened. 

Another comp done, and another pretty decent one for the WSL. Yes, the lay days in the middle are annoying but Cloudbreak pumped and finals day and the days before were pretty special.

We saw goofy foot domination, 10's that were 12's, big names fall early and Yoyo become everyone's new favourite surfer!

We also discuss what is to come of the year and how we are gearing up to finish the year too!

Tune in, send us what y...

Episode 203 - Inside The Mind Of Pio Marasco.

We had the privilege to sit down and chat with Pio, an icon of the surf world and a lord of the fins. 

Pio talks to use about the latest fin evolution, the FCS X Album Laminar fins, how and why they work and what boards they will go well in. 

We then chat more about Pio's life, how he ended up being in charge of MFC Hawaii, working with Kai Lenny, Laird and other huge names and more! 

Check it out, subscribe and...

Episode 202 - Is Your Favourite Surf A Bit Of A Dick? BIG EPISODE!

Huge week for surfing. New Electric Acid Surfboard Test from STAB, starring Harry Bryant and some of your favourite shapers, the WSL heading to Fiji for the next stop and new John John Florence dropping too! We discuss it all. 

EAST first - Have you seen it? It's a great start, but pretty average waves, even less average sprays on the board and maybe we all discovered one of our favourite surfers is a bit of a dick too? What did you t...

Episode 201 - OUR FIRST LIVE EPISODE WITH THE NATIONAL CHAMPS! 

Live from the UK Surf & Skate Expo in June, Matt was invited to host a chat with the latest national champs, Fynn Gillespie and Belle Betteridge. 

Talking all aspect of surfing, from their winter season and prep heading into nationals, to feelings on finals day, the joy after winning and what's happened since. 

We speak quite deeply about the boards ridden by both champions, which are UK made and designed, Skindog Surfboards, and how the confidence in elite equipment helped take both surfers to...

Episode 200 - Chargers Take Chopes. Tahiti Delivers Again. 

Not calling this comp of the year, as Snapper still holds that for now, but Tahiti once again delivers drama, sick waves, hell barrels and truth.

Tune in to listen as we break down the waves, some of the best scores, finals day drama, the GOAT's performance and we clash on Jack Robinson and his actions. 

We saw some surprise highlights on the women's side and pretty much every male stood up, there is always the one who doesn't - You know who! 

Wha...

Episode 199 - What's Going On At The End Of The Road!

Yes we are dropping this podcast after 2 days of competition but that's fineee. The first two days have given us a lot to talk about.

Firstly - Kelly Slater is a certified ALIEN! What an absolute show and we hope he doesn't stop and wins the whole thing. 

We have seen some mental tubes, some wild conditions and one terrible priority call from the judges. 

Alongside this, we discussed the latest Natural Selection comp, Paul Evan's masterpiece on STAB and mo...

Episode 198 - Highly Requested - You Asked, We Deliver. 

The surf world has been flat, literally for the last few weeks and we have been flat out in our day jobs, but we are back, giving the listeners what they need. 

We almost promise that within a week of this podcast dropping, you will get waves... If not, keep playing until the above applies. 

In this episode we chat cyclists, surf edits, new boards, sad news and more! 

Enjoy it and head to YouTube if you want to see the new boar...

Episode 197 - We Are SORRY! You needed to hear this earlier. 

Yes, that's right, we are very sorry, this should have been edited and out before Wednesday, but Mr Editor (Matthew) was wrapped up in getting a new surfboard and World Cup fever.

Please accept our apologies, it's still a BANGER! 

We talk the Challengers at Ballito, we talk about the football, we discuss new surfboards and much more! 

Get this one into your ears and eyes. Yes check us out on YouTube please!

Follow us at @the_insiders_pod...

Episode 196 - WE ARE SOO BACK! Huge News Updates, Film Reviews & More! 

This is one not to miss. We had a 2 week break, the WSL are allowed a break and so are we! 

While we took a break, the surf world went wild. WSL wildcards announced and earned, new tour spots dropped, brand new surf films and edits now live and more!

This is a bumper episode where we talk about LOADS, it's one not to be skipped. 

Competition news, free surf news, surf film news and everything else. 

 Check...

Episode 195 - Dylan Graves, Laura Crane, Tim Latte, Andrew Cotton & More! This year's UK Surf & Skate Expo Line Up Is PACKED!

Back again for a second year, the UK Surf & Skate Expo is set to be bigger and better than ever. 

We are joined by founder and leader in chief, Chris Thompson to chat about the first ever surf expo in 2025 and this year's 2026 expo. Tune in to hear about new events, speakers, competitions and more! 

It's amazing to chat to Chris to hear about the challenges, changes and learnings from year one an...

Episode 194 - SHOCK! Favourite's are falling in Brazil! 

The WSL circus has landed in Brazil and we are seeing some wild results. 

A 15 year old is in the Semi's. Medina lost his first heat, four time winner Toledo failed to get through and the last 4 women and last 8 men are not who you might have expected. 

What have you thought and who might take this out?

Along with this, we have some amazing surf stories from our last week, with father day surfs for Darren and chasing good waves taking over mos...

Episode 193 - Don't Talk To Us About Fantasy Team! El Salvador Review

Wow, a longgggg event but one full of cool moments and none better than friend of the show Leo Fioravanti taking a win. Huge moment and fully deserved. 

On the other side, who saw Carissa going back to back?! Everyone wrote off the old guard, but where are the young guns? Even the airs are coming from the tour vets! 

We also chat about some classic surf stories and more! 

Tune in, share and download. 

Follow us at...

Episode 192 - KOOK OR CORE SPECIAL - SURFING'S WORST HABITS! 

Surfing has a lot of weird and wonderful habits, we are super judgemental weirdos, and this special episode is inspired by all you wonderful freaks. 

We have put together a special episode on Kook or Core /Do's or Dont's & we want to do more of these so please comment or DM us with your Kook Or Core questions! 

Listen in and see if you are guilty of any of these kook or core suggestions, or any of your friends, if they are or if...

Episode 191 - Who Has Been Crowned The Best High Performance Shaper!? Stab In The Dark Final Review.

The best series of Stab In the Dark ever? Maybe so, for sure the best surfing ever seen in a Stab In The Dark and without doubt the best co-host ever too! 

A perfect wave for a perfect surfer. What6 did you think of this years iteration of Stab In the Dark? 

Listen in to what we think of the surfers, boards, action, in depth chats and more. We thank you STAB for bringing the surf wo...

Episode 190 - The Run Down On Raglan & What's Predicted For Punta Roca. 

What did you guys think of Raglan as an event? Well, here is what we thought. Listen in for our break down of the surfing, the wave, the broadcast and more. 

Overall, we are positive on Raglan, yes the lay days suck, but that's surfing. The waves on some of the days before then and during were great. Hearing pro's say it's hard to surf, good, we want them challenged right?! 

Some surfers, really stood out and it was super cool to...

Episode 189 - Torren Martyn's New Masterpiece + STAB HIGH Highlights & Mid Raglan Review

A HUGE week in surfing. We pack a lot into this episode. 

Did you watch the new film from Torren Martyn and Ishka Folkwell? If you haven't, stop what you are doing and go watch it. Another epic adventure captured beautifully. 

Showcasing Torren surfing MENTAL waves, from some fun A frames to an end section that is terrifying stunning. It's a must watch.

Alongside this, we chat about the STAB High event, where Hughie Vaughan blew minds. This was no...

Episode 188 - LATEST EPISODE - Surfing In the Alps & A Raglan Preview.

We are back! A big week for us here, with Matt going on a surf trip to a landlocked country to surf in a wave pool and it did not disappoint. Darren has fresh stories on crowded line ups and we discuss the next WSL stop, heading to Raglan! 

We are pretty excited for Raglan, the world has been asking for a left to match some of the rights on tour and New Zealand has come up with the goods. 

What wi...

Episode 187 - Psycho Snapper! A Full Wrap Of The Gold Coast Pro.

How good was that?! Pumping waves, no lay days, some of the most outrageous rail work and every heat felt like a banger! 

It's been a while since we have had an event this good, but the Gold Coast Pro just made up for Bells and Margs feeling a little bit flat. It must be easy when the waves are just perfect, swell for 4 days and the crowds just getting bigger and bigger. 

We break down the event and discuss all th...

Episode 186 - Drama At Main Break & Episode Two Of Ethan's SITD. 

An Insider's has won a WSL comp - That is right, George Pittar is an honorary Insider and what a champion! Also massive congratulations to Lakey too!

While this was all amazing, it wasn't with drama on the mens side. A lot of chat around the mens final... keen to hear what you all think of the judging decision on scores and priority? Tell us. 

We discuss this all and it gets heated on the pod! 

Other than WSL talk, we...

Episode 185 - The Best Pipeline Film EVER? Plus Mid Margs Event Update! 

Pipeline is maybe the most photographed and video'd wave in the world, but when Peter King does it, it's special. If you have not seen the new Pipeline film, go and watch it NOW! 

You get insights to some of the best of the best to ever paddle out at Pipe, the knowledge, angles, surfing, surfers and more, its top, top class! Thank you PK. 

Along side this we break down the start of the WSL event at Margs. Some big tal...

Episode 184 - Is This Your New Forecasting App?! - SPECIAL GUEST EPISODE

Another fantastic chat with a great guest. Joined by Joey, the founder of Wavey. A new surf forecasting website and app built around community and real life eye's on surf reporting. 

I chat with Joey about his surf background, his history on the waves, challenges people face - Like surfing alone when you move, imposter syndrome and how he dealt with this. 

We then dive into his drive for Wavey, where he wants it to go, what more can be done wi...

Episode 183 - Ethan Ewing Goes Wild Plus Our Wrap Of Bells! 

A big week in surfing with the return of the WSL and Stab In the Dark. 

Ethan Ewing with a bunch of the highest performance boards, in perfect waves... YES PLEASE. Episode 1 did not disappoint. We knew the surfing would be out of this world, but we didn't expect EE to be as good on camera and Stab adding Taj is a master stroke. Have you seen it yet? 

Secondly we break down our opinions and thoughts on the Bells event. No one...

Episode 182 - SPECIAL GUEST - He is back! A chat with Liam O'Brien.

It's been some year for LOB. From falling off tour, releasing one of the best edits of the year, performing on the challengers, qualifying for the world tour (JUST) while his wonderful girlfriend missed out by the smallest margins and choosing to miss the ABB's at his home break, plus more! 

Darren was in Australia and took advantage of being on the same time zone to sit down and chat with Liam. 

 This chat is epic and touches on all the...

Episode 181 - Bells Beach - Our Predictions and Fantasy Picks!

Its here! Its felt like a long time but the WSL Championship Tour is BACK!

We are all over this like a cheap suit. This episode we discuss the picks of the event, who we see as favourites, our wildcard picks and who might have a first event melt.

This is one of the hardest years to compete and to pick heat winners and event winners so this could all be wrong but we are out here giving it a craic! 

T...

Episode 180 - Its Back! The WSL roll into Bells. We are excited! 

Before we break down Bells, we just want to talk more about the surfers that are on tour this year! 

Its hard to pick a season with a more stacked field and almost anyone can win any event!

We discuss who we think will stand up, some ideas on who might melt, somewhat ifs and more! 

Next episode we talk Fantasy picks and Bells own more details! 

Tune in, download and share!

Follow us at @the...

Episode 179 - SPECIAL GUEST - Amazing Shaper & Star Of Electric Acid.

We are joined by the icon that is Tom Morat. A young, talented, hard working, cool as f**k shaper and surfer, who has been making moves in the shaping world for a few years now and the recent electric acid surfboard test from STAB has elevated Tom even higher. 

Darren catches up with Tom to chat about his past, who inspires him, how he got into shaping, what the future holds and more! 

Stay around for Tom's view on team riders an...

Episode 178 - Best Qualifying Class Ever? What Do You Think?

What an emotional ride the final Challenger series event at Newcastle was?! Big names losing early and having to wait to see their fate, some questionable judging calls, a range of conditions, giving us heartbreak and dream moments all in one. 

Alister Reginato and Alyssa Spencer take the win, and the final 10 men and 8 women have been confirmed for the new Championship Tour. 

We think it's the best qualifying class in a long, long time, what do you think? 

Listen in as...

Episode 177 - The Best Comp IN THE WORLD! On The Ground Report Of The ABB's! 

Darren is in Australia at the perfect time, right when the ABB grand final is on, so of course he went and of course, the surf nerd Matt is watched on YouTube too! 

This event is the best! The culture, the fans, the surfing, the commentators, EVERYTHING, and this year delivered everything and more! 

Legends, like Occy and Parko were there. Junior world champs, STAB High winners, CS battlers, QS grinders and more! Even the tradies fully rip! 

Episode 176 - Kelly knew, surely he knew? Did he know?

The last instalment of Stab In The Dark X, with Kelly Slater only means one thing, the last review of Stab In The Dark X, with Kelly Slater from us. 

One of the greatest series STAB has ever created will now forever been clouded by controversy. We want to focus on the wider picture, the insight into Kelly, the shapers interviews, Episode 3, the surfing and almost everything else was on another level. 

Sam Mac and STAB have smashed it! Yes people will focus on...

Episode 175 - Special Guest - The Most Stoked Surfer Ever! Dane Gudauskas. 

Its with great pleasure to bring you our chat with the legend that is Dane Gudauskas. This one is a journey!

Trying to list everything that we discuss would be impossible, but you can for sure listen in to our chat where we cover: 

Just tune into this one and enjoy! 

Follow us at @th...

Episode 174 - SPECIAL GUEST - A Chat With Ryan Lovelace

This was a special one, especially for a surf nerd, board geek like Matt. We are honoured to have had the chance to sit down and talk all things boards and surf, and more, with the genius that is Ryan Lovelace. 

We talk about the origins of Love Machine Surfboards. Hand shaping Vs Machine Shapes. Industry nonsence. A general love of surfing and surfboards and more. 

Listen in to hear how unique the Love Machine files are, learn more about the Trimcraft day to...

Episode 173 - We aren't crying, you and Kelly are! Best Episode EVER!

Did we ever think we would describe a Stab In The Dark episode as deep, emotional, heavy, inspiring and gripping, but that is exactly what Episode 3 of the Kelly Slater SITD is. 

Yes we get to see the GOAT surf his best yet, with two boards standing out, in our opinion, but more so, the insights from the shapers take the spotlight again. 

Britt Merrick started the series being a bit, well of a moron, but this episode lifts the lid on...