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THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV #10 ...

   The debate continues - does Vladimir Boris Waxanov really exist? Lee, Keith's SURF TOWN podcast co-host, doesn't think so, and never has, despite what Keith insists. Having just returned from Kazakhstan, where he met with V. B. Waxanov, Keith plays Lee an interview he recorded with Vladimir in a local cafe - hence the noisy background. Lee, though, still isn't convinced - yet it's a fascinating conversation bringing Vladimir Boris Waxanov's fans up to date with th...

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TOM WEGENER  Part 1 ...

   Dr Tom Wegener, scholar, author, filmmaker, local politician, surfboard shaper, surfer, family man ... and gardener, chats on SURF TOWN sharing his life’s story in what is Keith’s longest podcast interview. How could it not be with Tom’s life encompassing such a wide field of interest and activities? Tom’s surfing life has led him from California to Australia, where he has put down deep family roots and established himself as a unique surfboard shaper specialising in innovative custom timber surfboards. He is a thinking su...

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TOM WEGENER Part 2 ...

   Tom shared a lot of his personal life on his first SURF TOWN podcast about growing up in California, and where his family's influence and personal interests have led him in life. He talked of how his surfing seamlessly slotted into all that he put his hand and mind towards and helped shape his endeavours.

 On this episode, Tom shares his thoughts on surfboard design beyond the standard modern board (with a link to Bob Simmons), the question of what is a surfer, surfing’s gro...

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THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV #10 ...

   Finally, that international surfing man of intrigue has surfaced once again - but only briefly, which seems to be his MO these days. Momentarily detained by the English regime to once more find good fortune favoured him as he slipped away from their wrongful intent. Last known destination was back in Eurasia. Kazakhstan in fact, He and Keith have been communicating via Zoom with a plan for Keith to catch up with him in Almaty when Keith visi...

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PETER McCABE …

   Newcastle's Peter McCabe was one of the early pioneers of Indonesian surfing. During those uncrowded Indo days, he surfed alongside some of surfing's  biggest names and colourful characters. Peter is credited with being the first to surf Padang, and alongside his good friend Jerry Lopez shared many epic, empty lined-ups at Uluwatu and G-Land. Many of these sessions were captured on film. Peter also established his name as one of Newcastle's premier board shapers, learning his trade under Sam Egan. In the 1970's, he estab...

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CORKY CARROLL

... CORKY CARROLL is a name many older surfers will easily recognize. Accepted as one of the first professional surfers rising out of the Californian surf scene in the late 1960's and 70's on the back of his natural talent and contest successes. Winning three USA titles, third in the 1966 World Championships, competing in the 1968, 1970 and the 1972 World Championships, where he made it through to the finals. Being a talented goofy-footy and full of charisma, Corky featured prominently in the major surf magazines and movies...

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DAVID PARKES ...

   Kneeboard maestro (six Australian Titles and one World Masters Title) and renowned kneeboard shaper (forty plus years experience) David Parkes is Keith's special guest on this episode of SURF TOWN. With a life immersed in kneeboarding, David's name is synonymous with Australian kneeboarding surfing - and shaping. After requiring the Friar Tuck brand in the 80's David diversified his shaping profile under his own name of Parkes. Both labels are popular, with demand still high. With a lifetime of experience in th...

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JOHN ODGEN Part 2 ...

Want to know about surfing's dark subculture in the late 60s and early 70's? Then John Odgen's new book STONE FREE is for you.


   John joins Keith on SURF TOWN once again to talk about the book's story of Warren 'Abdul' Anderson's extraordinary life. It's a book described as an elegy for a vanished world - untamed, unrepentant and unforgettable. And it certainly is, as STONE FREE is much more than Abdul's story. It's a window into the free-wheeling, hippie/su...

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THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV. Story # 9 ...

   Vladimir has surfaced! But unfortunately, only very briefly. Keith confirms that while speaking with Vladimir recently, exchanging Christmas greetings, their conversation was abruptly cut off. Vladimir had just landed in London and called Keith while standing in line between immigration and customs. He sounded light-hearted - until. Suddenly, serious voices could be heard asking Mr Waxanov to step out of the line and to come with them. Then beep beep beep, the call went de...

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2025 SURF TOWN WRAP

   Whilst the listening base of SURF TOWN has grown this year, reaching 42 countries across 174 cities/locations, the real thrill for Keith has been the guests that he has had the privilege of interviewing over the last twelve months. Our sport has a deep culture and lifestyle that has defined so many people. To chat with some of them and to hear their stories and stoke really does highlight that. Listeners feel it too, tuning in from countries like Ba...

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MICK BERRIDGE ...

   Not many Aussie surfers can say they have surfed in the deep, frigid north of the Atlantic Ocean. We’re mainly warm water creatures who mostly head into the Pacific or Indian Oceans for our tropical surf adventures - certainly not into the icy Norwegian coastline, that's for sure. And definitely not to surf amongst Orcas, floating ice in sub-zero double figures … and most definitely not in the dark of the night under northern lights. But SURF TOWN’S guest Mick Berridge had. And lived to tell his...

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DAVID BELL -

   David is the producer and presenter of the surf-themed CRESCENT SWELLS surf radio. With over 174 shows, David digs deep to produce a weekly radio show featuring traditional surf guitar and drums, reggae, and indie/roots music heavily infused with the feel and sound of the beach lifestyle and music. CRESCENT SWELLS features many new artists that may not have the chance to be heard on mainstream radio. Whilst currently heard on three Australian east coast community radios, CRESCENT SWELLS can also be heard on the...

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BEAU YOUNG's tribute to JOHN PECK ...

   Beau Young, 2000 & 2023 World Longboard champion, joins Keith to share his heartfelt tribute to John Peck, who passed away recently at the age of 81. John gained fame within the surfing world when photographed in the early 1960's surfing Pipeline crouching low and grabbing the rail of his surfboard. It remains one of the great iconic photos of surfing. Like many surfers of that era, John embraced the counterculture's emphasis on seeking a higher consciousness free from the bind of consumerism. Turning to...

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STEPHEN COONEY -

... Stephen Cooney was introduced to the surfing world as Steve Cooney, the very young surfer who mesmerized us all in the seminal surf movie MORNING OF THE EARTH. Very few, if any of us, will ever forget the footage of his surfing those amazing Uluwatu waves. But of course, there is so much more to Stephen than that young grommet streaking across perfect Bali waves. Some of which is shared in his recently published book UNEARTHED - The story of...

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DEREK CRISP -   

... Not many surfers have been caught trying to hijack a submarine for a joyride. Nor be counted amongst the first surfboard manufacturers on New South Wales's Mid North Coast, open one of its first surf shops, along with running a marlin fishing charter boat in far north Queensland for Hollywood stars. Plus a career as a publican for one of central Queensland's largest pubs, but 90-year-old Derek Crisp can - and more. He only made about 50 boards back in the da...

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JOHN BRASEN -

... John is the editor and publisher of Australia's premier longboard magazine, PACIFIC LONGBOARDER. The long-standing magazine's byline is: For The Love of Surfing. Any conversation with John makes it evident that his life is one defined by the love of surfing - so choosing that byline for his magazine wouldn't have been that hard. And it is John's magazine, well, to be more exact, John's and his wife Sharon's. PACIFIC LONGBOARDER is not owned by a large publishing corporation that...

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THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV - Stories 7 & 8

 ...Finally, some good news, Vladimir has surfaced - well, sort of. He has been talking with his sister, Olga, whom Keith has also been talking to, so the relayed message is that he is fine, but he does have to lay low for a while. Without revealing his location, all he would say is that he is in the "Stans" somewhere. Either Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan. Plus, he has been listening to the SURF TOWN in...

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DEREK HYND -

... Any sit-down chat with Derek Hynd is guaranteed to be thoughtful and original. No surprise that this interview was conducted under trees atop of a windy Byron Bay hill. Even his dog Bungle Bungle contributed - as did a stranger parking his car close by. But it's worth braving any cold winter wind to have the privilege of interviewing Derek. He is a former professional surfer, a surfboard shaper, writer, exponent of friction-free surfing, innovator, and one of surfing's great free thinkers. With...

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JOHN OGDEN -

 ... This SURF TOWN episode's guest is John "Oggy" Odgen, a Sydney-based photographer, cinematographer, writer and the owner of Cyclops Press, which has published many high-quality books relating to Australian Indigenous and Aussie culture. John is a surfer so it's no surprise he has published a series of surf books, including Mike Ritter's and Jack McCoy's well-received surf book "Grajagan - surfing in the tiger's lair." He has also recently published Stephen Cooney's (of Morning of The Earth fame) memoir t...

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TERRY RICHARDSON ...

 - 1988 Australian Surfing Champion, World Masters Surfing champion, former ASP World number 7, two-time Aussie Masters champion, winner of two Bali Om contests, winner of the 1982 Waimea 5000 in Brazil and finalist of numerous international surfing contests, Terry Richardson chats with SURF TOWN about his rich surfing life and much more. Terry, also known as Richo, is a well-known surf shop owner and respected shaper. Emerging as a pre-eminent surfing talent from southern New South Wales, Terry deservedly stood among the greats of his era, i...

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DISCUSSION TABLE 101 with Tim Baker. Topic: SURF CULTURE ...


- Who better to have a free-flowing conversation about surf culture than the three-time winner of the Surfing Australia Hall of Fame Culture Award, Tim Baker? With decades of surf writing (ten books) and editorial work (two surfing magazines), Tim has an astute understanding of the surfing lifestyle and its vibrant culture. Tim not only shared contemporary observations but also spoke about surfing's ancient heritage. In the fast-moving global surfing dynamic of today, it was refreshing to...

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THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV - Story 6 

... That international surfer of mystery, Mr Waxanov, has failed his arranged rendezvous with Keith in St Petersburg (see SURF TOWN Instagram posts) adding more uncertainty to his whereabouts. In the meantime, this SURF TOWN episode features the reading of two short stories from his book "The Wayward Surfer," (available on Amazon) concerning Vladimir's bewilderment with many surfers' obsession with tattoos. As a clean-living Orthodox man from a Euroasian culture, he almost became fixated on this trend. A...

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ZION POY

... 17 year old Noosa filmmaker Zion Poy comes into the SURF TOWN studio to talk about his film that has been accepted into this year's Noosa International Surf Film Festival. Titled, "WHERE THE GIRLS ARE," it's the story of Lynette Clemitson who started the all female boardriders club called the Kurranulla Wahines Boardriding Club in 1966 at Wanda Beach in Sydney's south. Now into her mature years Lynette has had a lifetime of surfing that continues to this day, including a win in the over 70's...

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JESCA MAAS -

... Some people surf and that's about it. Some surf and do other stuff as well - and then there are those who don't surf ... or haven't surfed much. But they still tap into surfing for its energy and culture. Sometimes, these latter folk understand surfers better than themselves as surfers often stand too close to the flame. Jesca is one of those that has dabbled and looks in. A creative soul that loves surfing, and not only draws from it but contributes...

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KIRRA MOLNAR -

... Women's longboarding today, and indeed women's all-around surfing in general, is in full flower. Its presence is marked with a style that all so often resonates with the very essence of surfing. Displaying a grace and the pure joy of simply riding a wave, women's surfing is a breath of fresh air. No surprise that it's growing world-wide and giving rise to a formidable list of rising names leading the way. One such star is Noosa's Kirra Molnar who sits...

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STUART CAMPBELL -

... Stuart, a well-known Noosa surfboard shaper, is Keith's guest on this episode of SURF TOWN. Stuart is a much sought-after shaper due to his reputation for well-shaped, hand-crafted, high-performance shortboards under the CAMPBELL DESIGNED label. With a deep experience as a life-long surfer, shaper and thinker Stuart brings many ideas and innovative designs to his shaping. Together with his son Ryan, (both are ex-pro surfers) Stuart invented, developed and patented a unique stringer replacement system that comprises multiple staggered layers...

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THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV ... Story 5 - BYRON BAY PARENTS DISOWN SON FOR CHOOSING A MEDICAL CAREER OVER BECOMING A YOGA INSTRUCTOR.


... The mystery of Vladimir's whereabouts deepens into a concern. Previously, Keith had Vladimir's girlfriend Tatianna Lovesalotavic in the studio, who whilst giving assurances that Vladimir would be okay (see Story 3 -THE MERMAID'S DREAM), has now herself gone to ground somewhere deep in the South Pacific. Most likely Tahiti. However, Keith has recently been chatting with Vladimir's sister...

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DAVID "MEX" SUMPTER -

... Many surfers grew up virtually right on the beach, making their surfing life almost inevitable. David, and his brother Rodney, started life in England well away from any surfing scene that might have drawn them in. However due to their parents deciding to move to Australia and set up home on Sydney's northern beach suburbs, well within easy reach of the surf, they too quickly found surfing as if pre-ordained for them. Also, David was right there watching the first wave...

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THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV ... Story 4 - SEX WAX SAGA -

   While the current whereabouts of Vladimir B. Waxanov remains a mystery and a concern, Keith decided to upload one of Vladimir's cheekiest short stories to keep his fun-loving spirit to the fore. As there is next to no Woke emphasis in Russia, especially Vladimir's traditional home village, he was shocked at how easily some of us Aussies are offended. Especially over what he considers to be so...

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DISCUSSION TABLE 101. Topic:  John "JC" Charlton's favourite surfers.

... JC mentioned, when he was in the studio previously, that he'd like to record an episode concerning his list of favourite surfers. So Keith invited him back to sit down for another session on SURF TOWN to discuss his list along with the question, "What is style?" - and a few other observations. It certainly was interesting. Of course, any such list is subjective. Most surfers can easily name their f...

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JOHN 'JC' CHARLTON 

   JC doesn't need too big an introduction to Queensland surfers as he has been a familiar face talking about surfing on their TV screens for a very long time. But what they may not know is some of his rich back story. JC has been a surfboard maker, worked in the surfwear industry with Billabong, a radio surf reporter, chief reporter and editor of TV's ch 7 Coastalwatch in Queensland for 20 years and a surf commentator at Noosa's Festival of Surfing. With a l...

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DIAN HADIANI

... Phoning in from Bali, East Java local Dian Hadiani chats with Keith concerning her book, "The Chronicles of G'land" which focuses on Java's fabled surf spot Grajagan, known affectionately across the surfing world as G/land. With, the following introduction on her web page, "Bobby's Surf Camp; Behind the Legendary Tales - describes how feral surfers discovered this magical place ..." it promised to be an interesting interview. And it was. Covering the economic and environmental changes brought about with the...

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DISCUSSION TABLE 101. Topic: SURFING WORLD Magazine's 50 Most Interesting Surfers

... Richard Wallace joins Keith in the studio to discuss SURFING WORLD'S lastest edition featuring their pick for surfing's fifty most interesting surfers. It's by no means definitive as there would be any number of people who could qualify. So who to include and who to exclude? It's a tough call. Still, SURFING WORLD bravely laid it down, and it is quite an impressive list. Certainly one open for discussion and one Richard, a long-time Noosa surfer, was happy...

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CHANNA SENARATNE -

 ... It's not every day you get to chat with a man who is a restauranteur, a chef, a commercial fisherman, a surf charter boat operator and skipper, a manager of a surf camp, overseer of surf holidays that gave something back to the island locals, an importer, an exporter and owner of a private catering service - and all the while surfing some of the world's best waves along the way. Keith's SURF TOWN guest, Channa Senaratne for this episode is and has done a...

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RICHARD von WILDEMANN -

... It was a pleasure for Keith to welcome Richard onto SURF TOWN as his first international phone-in guest. Richard is an all-round waterman who has thrived on the wild beaches and coastline of South Africa. His story is a surprisingly similar one to the overwhelming majority of Australian surfers whose first introduction to the surf was via their family and the local Surf Life Saving movement. From Nippers (very junior Life Saving training and competition) to board-riding, to...

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JOHN FINLAY - NOOSA FESTIVAL OF SURFING ...

- John Finlay, Chairman of Noosa's Festival of Surfing, certainly has an unusual story concerning how he came to pick up the running of this premier surfing event. It all started when he semi-retired to the Sunshine Coast an hour's drive south of Noosa. Semi-retirement generally means you reduce your busy life with the view to gradually fade out of full-time work. However, it didn't work out that way for John. An opportunity came along...

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DAMIEN KING -

... Three-time World Bodyboarding Champion Damien King had an unusual introduction to surfing. It's quite common for surfing champions to grow up close to the beach and thrive amongst mates who all surfed and hung together at their local surf spot. But not Damien (known far and wide as "Kingy"). Sure he eventually found his place in the local line-up, but even then he forged a different path marked with fierce, competitive determination to be the best he could be...

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THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV 

... Story 3 - THE MERMAID'S DREAM

... A few friends had contacted Keith stating they weren't so sure about this Vladimir Boris Waxanov bloke. Geopolitics aside, they express skepticism as to his actual existence. And then, right on cue, as if Vladimir willed it into being, his girlfriend Tatianna Lovesalotavic paid Keith a visit. Which, meant of course, he had a chance to speak with her on this SURF TOWN episode featuring another of Vladimir's s...

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PHIL JARRATT - Part 2

... One interview with Phil Jarratt left this interviewer with a desire to hear more of his wide-ranging surfing life and stories. Certain that others would as well I pressed Phil for another round. Graciously he came into the studio for a second interview, which proved to be every bit as fascinating as his first one. How could it not be? One could easily pick a single period of his life - say, for example, his four-year stint as...