Beyond the Ocean

Beyond the Ocean #19 - Seán Young

Wavegarden is a leader in the surf park space, with multiple facilities currently open and operating with dozens more in the works. Seán Young, Wavegarden’s Head of Development Projects, joins episode 19 of Beyond the Ocean. Young discusses his role in helping parks go from concept to reality and the steps new surf parks must take to create a successful surfing experience. He also looks at what’s to come for Wavegarden and the surf park industry as a whole.

Beyond the Ocean #18 - Ryder Thomas

In an honest conversation about finances, costs, and other factors in making surf parks a reality, we hear from Ryder Thomas with Pro Swell in episode 18 of Beyond the Ocean. Thomas shares what makes surf parks jump from the sketch pad to a viable business and what blocks so many parks from ever opening in the first place. In this episode, Thomas discusses the industry's growth and how it has become a huge investment center today, as well as where the industry is heading with park ownership...

Episode 18 - Ryder Thomas

In an honest conversation about finances, costs, and other factors in making surf parks a reality, we hear from Ryder Thomas with Pro Swell in episode 18 of Beyond the Ocean. Thomas shares what makes surf parks jump from the sketch pad to a viable business and what blocks so many parks from ever opening in the first place. In this episode, Thomas discusses the industry's growth and how it has become a huge investment center today, as well as where the industry is heading with park ownership...

Beyond the Ocean #17 - Kristina Chang

In the 17th episode of Beyond the Ocean, we hear from Kristina Chang, president of Westlake Wave Co. Kristina and her team work to be the leaders when it comes to creating waves for any surfer, with an emphasis on newcomers. Westlake Wave Co. aims to make waves that work for beginners and other newer surfers to create a more inviting entrance into surfing. In this episode, Chang discusses her start in surfing and how it inspired her to lead the team at Westlake Wave Co. Not only is the wave...

Beyond the Ocean #17 - Kristina Chang

In the 17th episode of Beyond the Ocean, we hear from Kristina Chang, president of Westlake Wave Co. Kristina and her team work to be the leaders when it comes to creating waves for any surfer, with an emphasis on newcomers. Westlake Wave Co. aims to make waves that work for beginners and other newer surfers to create a more inviting entrance into surfing. In this episode, Chang discusses her start in surfing and how it inspired her to lead the team at Westlake Wave Co. Not only is the wave...

Beyond the Ocean #16 - Bruce Quay

Beyond the Ocean returns with Episode 16 with Bruce Quay, the COO of Aquatic Development Group (ADG), the team behind EpicSurf. Quay discusses the path that led him to become COO of a water park design and wave manufacturing company, as well as ADG’s extensive background in the industry, getting people outside and into water sports; and explains how EpicSurf and stationary surf waves will create a more inclusive surf experience at surf parks and other adventure parks. In this episode, Quay ...

Beyond the Ocean #15 - Dr. Mike Roberts

In this very special episode, we’re joined by co-host and Co-Founder of Surf Park Central, Dr. Jess Ponting. Jess is also a Professor of Sustainable Surf Tourism at San Diego State, and the Co-Founder of Stoke, a sustainability certification organization. This episode will be the first of a variety from our INSIDER series, featuring long-form expert interviews conducted by Jess along with industry leaders and change-makers. In today’s episode, Jess is joined by a friend and colleague, Dr. Mi...

Ep 14 - Damon Tudor, CEO of URBNSURF

On this episode of the Beyond the Ocean podcast we’re joined by Damon Tudor. Damon is the CEO of URBNSURF and joined the business at the start of 2019. Having successfully led the completion and launch of URBNSURF Melbourne, the group has now commenced construction on its second location in Sydney. An experienced CEO and General Manager, Damon has spent over 25 years in a range of consumer-focused industries across goods and services, delivering several transformation projects, holding key e...

Beyond the Ocean #14 - - Damon Tudor, CEO of URBNSURF

On this episode of the Beyond the Ocean podcast we’re joined by Damon Tudor. Damon is the CEO of URBNSURF and joined the business at the start of 2019. Having successfully led the completion and launch of URBNSURF Melbourne, the group has now commenced construction on its second location in Sydney. An experienced CEO and General Manager, Damon has spent over 25 years in a range of consumer-focused industries across goods and services, delivering several transformation projects, holding key e...

Beyond the Ocean #13 - Matt Hyslop

On this episode of the Beyond the Ocean podcast we’re joined by Matthew Hyslop, Associate Director of the Destination Consulting Group at Colliers, one of the world’s largest commercial real estate firms. Matthew helps create successful destinations by consulting owners, developers, investors and operators of visitor-facing businesses. He has worked in the surf park industry for many years, most notably with the Surf Snowdonia project in the U.K. Surf Snowdonia is the world's first inland su...

Beyond the Ocean #12 - Shaun Tomson

On this episode of the Beyond the Ocean podcast we’re joined by surfing legend, former world champion, environmentalist, and motivational speaker Shaun Tomson. The keynote speaker of Surf Park Summit 2021, Shaun Tomson, was the keynote speaker of the first-ever Surf Park Summit in 2013. In this episode of Beyond the Ocean, he and our host, Chris Kluesener, talk about the surfing revolution, the “surfer’s code”, the future of surf parks, and the importance of sustainability and safety. This i...

Beyond the Ocean #11 - Bryan Dickerson

Beyond the Ocean #10 - Sunshine Makarow

We’re back with Beyond the Ocean podcast with Sunshine Makarow, a former member of the US Surf Team, WSA Women’s West Coast Champion, and Founder of Surf Life for Women magazine. Sunshine sits down with host, Chris Kluesener, to discuss her unique focus on surf training, development, and progression from a pro level. Sunshine, as a former professional surfing athlete, has spent more time than most on training and coaching in surfing to improve her paddling, turns, and even her mental game in...

Beyond the Ocean #9 - Fred Hemmings

On this episode of Beyond the Ocean we are joined by Fred Hemmings, a living surfing legend deemed the "Father of Professional Surfing" and co-founder of the World Surf League. Fred and Beyond the Ocean host, Chris Kluesener, take a trip through the history of surf culture as they look towards the future growth of the culture with regard to the impact brought by surf parks. Fred offers his first-hand accounts and behind the scene insights of iconic and defining surf culture moments as he dra...

Beyond the Ocean #8 - Shane Beschen

Shane Beschen, former professional surfer and surf park entrepreneur, sits down with Surf Park Central’s Chris Kluesener and Jess Ponting to chat surf parks. Shane provides insight into Wai Kai, an upcoming surf park he is helping to develop in Hawaii that features Citywave technology. Shane also shares more about another new development that he is involved in, RevelSurf, located in Mesa, AZ, which uses Swell MFG technology. It's exciting to see how quickly these projects are moving, and the...

Beyond the Ocean #7 - Ross Hale

Beyond the Ocean podcast is back after a short, snowboarding-rich hiatus with Episode 7, featuring Ross Hale. Ross is a technology leader, coder, and lifelong surfer with creative and thoughtful ideas on how digital can help shape the future of surf parks. About Ross: A veteran technologist with more than 15 years of experience, including multiple CTO positions, Ross has worked in both high-growth venture-backed startups and in partnerships with major enterprise companies. Before founding A...

Beyond the Ocean #6 - Patti Paniccia

We're back with Beyond the Ocean joined by Patti Paniccia (pa-nee’-cha), Co-Chair of the Board of Directors for the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center. Patti joins us to share insights on the history of surfing and gender discrimination to help inform the next (and more inclusive) generation of surfing in surf parks. Patti was one of the top-ranked surfers during the 70s and early 80s, and was one of six women who competed on the first women’s world pro tour in 1976. She is a co-founder of ...

Beyond the Ocean #5 - Paul Chutter

Paul Chutter is the Chief Commercial Officers at Whitewater West, and serves on the executive team. He oversees WhiteWater’s global business development efforts and functions, including Sales, Marketing, and Pre-Contract groups, as well as Corporate Development. As co-founder and President of Endless Surf, Paul has been a key player in the development, launch, and rapid growth of the surf park brand within the past year. Launched in May 2020, Endless Surf brings the next generation of inland...

Beyond the Ocean #4 - Randy Rarick

We're back with Beyond the Ocean featuring Randy Rarick, CoFounder of the World Surf League (WSL)! Randy Served as Executive Director of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing for 38 years, and has run more professional surfing contests than nearly anyone on the planet. Randy Rarick has been involved with the surf industry and surf parks for over 60 years.  Sometimes referred to as the “Forest Gump of Surfing”, he has witnessed or had a hand in nearly every major cultural shift in the sport over t...

Beyond the Ocean #3 - Tony Finn

Episode 3 is ACTION PACKED with Tony Finn, one of the original inventors of wakeboarding, co-founder of Liquid Force Wakeboards, surf park consultant to BSR Surf Resort, and exclusive North American leader for UNIT Surf Pools. About Tony: Tony Finn is widely recognized as one of the most innovative and successful Action Sports Executives of the last three decades. Tony was instrumental in getting the sport of wakeboarding off the ground and traveled around the globe multiple times promotin...

Beyond the Ocean #2 - Ian "Kanga" Cairns

We're back with our next episode, featuring Ian "Kanga" Cairns who is a former champion professional surfer, expert coach, and professional contest director. Ian has toured many of the leading surf parks, and discusses with our host Chris Kluesener how surf parks fit into an athletes' repertoire. In addition to winning dozens of professional surfing events in his career, Ian was incredibly influential in establishing the world professional surfing circuit as we know it today including format...

Beyond the Ocean #1 - Guy Kawasaki

Guy Kawasaki, legendary tech evangelist, author, and podcast host joins us on our first episode of Beyond the Ocean to discuss his experiences surfing (he learned to surf in his 60’s!), his views on surf parks and human-made surfing experiences, a brief intro different wave technologies, Guy's background and career, and some of his ideas for the future.  We're joined on this show by John Luff, Founder of Surf Park Central, who provides a brief into the surf park industry and some details on...

Intro to Beyond the Ocean

Beyond the Ocean is an interview series exploring the future of technology and its impact on surfing, especially surf parks which allow people to ride waves many miles outside the ocean. We speak with industry leaders, surf park operators, authors, actors, professional surfers, and other influencers who help us shape up the conversation around wave technologies and other innovations that are changing the ways people catch waves in, and beyond, the ocean

Beyond the Ocean - Show Description

Surfing & Tech - why does this matter? Because Surfing makes people happy, and technology allows more people to experience it. We explore the impact of that through fun conversations

Intro to the Show

Announcing Beyond the Ocean, an interview series focused on the future of technology on action sports - especially surfing and surf parks. We interview authors, actors, thought leaders, and experts in the surf industry on their perspectives on the future