Tappa's Green Room Podcast

Tappa sits down with Jay Phillips — Snapper Rocks legend, champion surfer, and the club’s longest-serving president. Jay shares stories from his dreamy Fingal childhood, his rise through the surf comp ranks, and the moment that shaped his life after losing his father.

From surfing alongside Metallica to shaping the next generation of wave riders, Jay reflects on the power of community, the evolution of the sport, and why family will always come first.

Tune in for an inspiring yarn that’s as heartfelt as it is legendary.

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Tappa sits down with true Gold Coast royalty, Warren Young — lifeguard, lifesaver, longboarder, poet, and all-round top bloke. With over 47 years of service, Warren shares how he helped transform the Gold Coast into a world leader in beach safety, from pioneering lifeguard towers to standardising rescue training and bringing in jet skis.

He opens up about his early days in Brisbane, the surf club that changed his life, the rescues that stuck with him, and the moment he said goodbye to his good mate — Tappa’s dad — with a poem that’ll hit you...

Tappa sits down with iconic surf cameraman and all-around legend John ‘Gordo’ Gordon. From his roots in a family steeped in journalism to capturing the chaos and beauty of the world’s best waves, Gordo has seen it all — often from behind the lens and sometimes from the frontlines of danger.

With trademark humour and heart, Gordo opens up about his wildest moments on the World Surfing Tour, brushes with fame, acts of bravery that earned him medals, and the unforgettable characters who shaped his life behind the scenes of surf culture. This isn’t just a story abou...

Tappa sits down with Aussie surfer, commentator, and all-around adventurer Lillian “Lily” Young. From her early days catching waves in Australia to lifeguarding the rugged shores of England, Lily’s journey is anything but ordinary.

She opens up about her time at the iconic Cooey School, the leap to living abroad, and her solo surf missions through Cornwall, El Salvador, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Lily shares the highs and lows of travel, the thrill of surf comps, and the chaos and beauty of life on the road.

Whether it’s navigating new cultures or being the only...

Tappa sits down with surfing icon and legendary shaper Murray Bourton—founder of the iconic Pipe Dream Surfboards. From the beaches of South Australia to the breaks of Bali, Murray reflects on a life carved by waves, wild adventures, and bold choices.

They talk early Gold Coast surf culture, getting drafted for Vietnam, run-ins with the law, and how a stint in jail changed his trajectory. Murray opens up about shaping boards for generations of surfers, discovering Indonesian surf spots like Uluwatu before they were famous, and why mentorship and craftsmanship still matter in today’s surf scen...

Tappa sits down with surfing legend Andrew “Andy Mac” McKinnon. From his first wave at Mermaid Beach to mixing it with the best on the world stage, Andy takes us on a wild ride through the golden era of Aussie surfing. Hear about the board evolution arms race, life-changing sessions in Hawaii, behind-the-scenes chaos at the 1972 World Championships, and his long-time rivalry (and friendship) with the great Michael Peterson.

But it doesn’t stop at the shoreline—Andy shares jaw-dropping travel tales (including a three-piece suit con job to get home), how he fell into radio, and the acci...

Tappa sits down with Ziggy Aloha Mackenzie — the under-16 ISA World Champion — to chat about her rise through the ranks of junior surfing and the wild ride that’s gotten her there. 

From growing up in Bali and overcoming a fear of the ocean, to navigating international comps and heavy waves in El Salvador, Ziggy opens up about the moments that shaped her into the athlete she is today.

They dive into her experience in the alternative Koo-ee education program, the culture shocks of global surf travel, and the pressure of competing on the world stage. ...

In our very first live recording of Tappa’s Green Room, captured at the iconic Flotsam Festival. Tappa sit's down with surf photographer Simon “Swilly” Williams, filmmaker Shannon Hayes, and surfer Annie De Santos for a deep dive into the creative heart of surf culture.

From the challenges of capturing that perfect wave to the unspoken bond between surfer and shooter, this episode explores the art, trust, and hustle behind every iconic surf image and film. The crew shares personal stories, creative insights, and the gritty realities of documenting surfing in wild, unpredictable conditions. They also talk about...

Tappa sits down with Russell Specht, a proud North Stradbroke Island local who’s spent a lifetime chasing waves and living the island life. 

From growing up in a surf-obsessed family to balancing carpentry with competition surfing, Russell shares stories from Straddie’s golden days — and its gnarlier ones too, including close encounters in sharky Indonesian waters. 

He reflects on the changing face of the island, the rise of local surf talent, and the deep cultural roots that shape his community. At the heart of it all? Respect — for the ocean, the elders, and the next gener...

Tappa sits down with legendary surfboard shaper Phil Myers, tracing his journey from surfing the local breaks to becoming one of Australia’s most respected craftsmen in the shaping bay.

Phil shares stories from the golden age of surfing in the ‘60s and ‘70s, reflects on the game-changing invention of the thruster, and pays tribute to influences like George Greenough. From his worst-ever board experiment to the boards that come alive the more you pump them, Phil gives a masterclass in design innovation and the balance between art and science in shaping.

You’ll also hear abo...

Tappa sits down with surfer, TV presenter, and reality show winner Liz Cantor — a true trailblazer who went from grommet in the lineup to becoming the first-ever female judge on the World Championship Surfing Tour.

Liz shares the story of her surf-stoked upbringing, her unexpected breakthrough in judging (spoiler: she was too accurate to ignore), and her jump into the media spotlight — from winning The Mole to presenting weather, hosting live radio, and more.

The chat flows from surfing and storm chasing to family life, horse riding, and the chaos of reality TV relationships. Liz refl...

Tappa sits down with world champion cyclist, Paralympian, and adaptive surfing legend Matt Formston—a man who proves every day that limits are made to be broken.

Born with vision loss, Matt shares his incredible journey through elite sport, from tearing it up on the track to charging big waves on a surfboard. He opens up about how he got into surfing (hint: there was a boogie board and a brutal rejection involved), and the mindset that’s helped him push boundaries in every direction.

The chat dives into everything from surfboard tech and high-performance trai...

Tappa sits down with the unmistakable Anthony ‘Harries’ Carroll — the larger-than-life lifeguard from Bondi Rescue.

From dramatic saves to celeb run-ins (yes, Hugh Jackman and Joel Edgerton both know him by name), Harries shares the stories behind the sunnies — including how he became one of Bondi’s most recognisable faces.

But this convo goes deeper than rip currents. Harries and Tappa chat about surfing, self-discipline, fatherhood, mental health, nutrition, and why teaching kids to respect the ocean is more crucial than ever. It’s heartfelt, hilarious, and full of life lessons from the beach and beyond.

Tappa sits down with legendary surfboard shaper Ian Byrne—yes, from that Byrne family—to talk surf, legacy, and the art of making boards that not only ride waves but win hearts. Ian opens up about growing up in a surfing dynasty in New Zealand, the influence of his brothers, and how a few life-changing trips to Hawaii helped shape (literally) his career.

We dive into the craft of hand-shaping boards, the soul of single fin surfing, and how the House of Byrne has evolved without losing its roots. Ian reflects on how family, community, and tradition cont...

Tappa sits down with surf photographer and videographer Shannon Hayes, whose work is making waves in the male-dominated world of surf media.

From growing up on the Gold Coast to filming some of the best surfers in the world, Shannon shares her journey, the challenges of being a female videographer in the industry, and her passion for capturing the raw energy of surfing from the water.

She talks about her collaborations with pro surfers, including the making of her film '22' with Annie DeSantos, the evolution of surf films, and the growing presence of...

Tappa sits down with legendary surfer, boat captain, and Indo surf pioneer Tony "Doris" Eltherington. From his early days body surfing on scraps of plywood on the Gold Coast to navigating uncharted waves in Indonesia, Tony has spent a lifetime chasing the ocean’s best-kept secrets.

We dive into his competitive surfing days, the evolution of surfboards, and his wildest adventures on the high seas—including the time he rescued Brett Archibald, a lost surfer who survived 28 hours drifting in the ocean. 🏄‍♂️⚓

With tales of Mentawai magic, near-misses, and the importance of giving back to local communiti...

Tappa sits down with legendary surfboard shaper Darren Handley. From his early days in Kirra to shaping boards for icons like Mick Fanning and Steph Gilmore, Darren shares his journey from Australian rules football to surfing and, ultimately, to becoming one of the most respected shapers in the industry.

They dive into the evolution of Kirra’s surf culture, the balance of artistry and engineering in board design, and how custom shaping impacts everyday surfers. Darren also opens up about the emotional highs and lows of competitive surfing, the challenges of sustainability in board production, and the fu...

Tappa sits down with Glen Workman—better known as Worko—a former rugby league player turned high-performance coach for elite surfers.

Worko takes us through his unexpected journey from footy fields to surf breaks, sharing what it’s like to train Olympians and the unique demands of surfing as a sport. He explains how surf coaching is more art than science, requiring a completely different approach compared to other sports.

We dive into the strength and conditioning secrets behind top-tier surfers and discuss the importance of injury prevention. Worko also breaks down how training for surfin...

Tappa sits down with the one and only Serena Brooke—a true pioneer of women’s surfing.

From her radical style in the water to her journey through the pro circuit, Serena shares incredible stories about her rise through the ranks, her biggest wins, and the close calls that come with life on the waves. But her journey doesn’t stop there—she also opens up about becoming a mum to twin daughters, her charity work, and her thoughts on the future of women’s surfing.

This is an inspiring, behind-the-scenes look at a surfing icon who c...

Tappa sits down with surfing legend Tom Carroll for an in-depth conversation about his incredible career and personal journey. From his early days in the waves to his world titles and bold stance against apartheid, Tom reflects on the evolution of professional surfing and his deep connection to Pipeline. They explore the challenges of injuries, the highs and lows of competition, and his path to overcoming substance abuse. Tom also shares the impact of meditation, breathwork, and fitness on his well-being, highlighting the power of community support and resilience in and out of the water.

Tappa sits down with James Lewis, a former junior surfer who turned his passion for the ocean into a career in coastal engineering. They dive into James’s journey from competitive surfing to shaping the future of our coastlines, discussing innovative projects like artificial reefs and climate resilience efforts in Tuvalu. From preserving surf breaks to protecting vulnerable communities, this episode explores how science and surfing come together to safeguard our oceans.

In the very first episode of The Green Room, Tappa sits down with legendary surfer Cheyne Horan. A dedicated competitor with over 32 years of experience—longer than the age of many pro surfers—Cheyne shares how he stayed true to his beliefs in the face of uniformity and ultimately came out on top. They dive into his epic journey through surfing, from memorable rivalries and iconic wins to the evolution of surfboard design and the mindset needed for success. It’s the perfect wave to kick off the series!