The champagne's flat, the party's over, and someone has to explain how we ended up here.
Welcome to Pulse Check - a brand new addition to the Duct Tape Theory content series, where we talk about the beautiful mess we all love - our industry.
In our first installment, O'Neill's VP of Sales, Paul Harvey, is going deep down the rabbit hole into the current state of the surf industry and how we went from signing deals on private planes to fire sales and licensing agreements.
This episode's so current it's practically bleeding, with Billabong now joining the Quik license O5, and RVCA is moving to the license group United Legwear. Both will no longer be with the Liberated Group.
Strange times indeed.
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"First is first and second is nothing." That's how Shaun Tomson saw the world as a '77 world champion in our final edition of Raw Files from our Mental Health chapter. Victory meant silence. Strength meant swallowing loss. But when his 15-year-old son died playing a schoolyard game, no amount of competitive grit could fill the void.
Today, Tomson walks into maximum security prisons, board rooms and surf competitions with twelve blank lines. Each starts with "I will." The toughest inmates break down, writing "I will forgive myself."
Through his own darkest hours, Tomson discovered that real strength lives in vulnerability - a revelation that mirrors professional surfing's evolution from forced stoicism to a world where champions dare to say "I'm not okay."
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As part of our Mental Health chapter, Pro surfer Beyrick De Vries drops the hammer on pro surfing to reveal the darkness that nearly swallowed him whole.
No sugar-coating, no BS – just raw truth about how the competitive circuit's party culture and pressure cooker environment pushed him to the edge.
From using humor as armor to finding unexpected salvation in rehab, Beyrick's isn't the usual feel-good redemption story.
It's a gut-punch reminder that sometimes hitting rock bottom is the wake-up call we need.
Whether you're struggling or know someone who is, this episode might just be the light in the darkness you've been looking for.
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--> Listen to Chapter 5 - Mental Health here
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In the glitter and glamour of pro surfing, Kassia Meador was living everyone's dream – until she wasn't.
Continuing our Mental Health chapter, the queen of longboarding exposes the darkness behind the spotlight, the weight of being the face of major brands, and how completely losing yourself might be the best thing that ever happens to you.
Raw, honest, and unexpectedly liberating – this is a story about finding yourself when the life you're living isn't yours anymore.
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--> Listen to Chapter 5 - Mental Health here
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Chapter 5 rips open the veneer of pro surfing to expose the mental battles waged beneath.Kassia Meador ditches her sponsors and the limelight, realizing success isn't measured by contract figures.
Beyrick de Vries doesn't sugarcoat his spiral into addiction or the strength it took to claw his way out. Shaun Tomson, facing every parent's worst nightmare, shows us how to keep moving when life serves up its heaviest.
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Resilience isn't just a word for Ramzi Boukhiam. Judging from the last ten years, it's his whole life.
Ramzi started as just another kid from Agadir on borrowed boards, and with a burning desire to make it. The road to the CT was long - ten years long, to be exact. And when he finally qualified, an ankle injury sidelined him for his entire rookie season.
That's the kind of stuff that breaks most surfers. Not him.
Fast forward to today, he's the only Arab surfer ever to crack the CT. When he's dialed in, Ramzi can take down anyone. But his story goes from the highest highs to the lowest lows. He's refreshingly blunt about the mental toll, the isolation, and the relentless pressure of pro surfing. With the event window for the 2024 Summer Olympics days away, it's the perfect timing for another Raw File.
*We recorded this before Ramzi was awarded a definitive spot on the CT. At the time, he was an injury alternate trying to re-qualify the only way he knew how; The Qualifying Series.*
A conversation too good for the cutting room floor.
This is Ramzi Boukhiam, uncut.
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Chapter 4 takes us to Taghazout, Morocco, where ancient tradition collides with a thriving surf scene. We trace the evolution of this former fishing village through the eyes of those who shaped it, starting with Saad El Kilani, who first rode Anchor Point, the fabled righthander surfers from all over the world pilgrim to.
As we dig deeper into Taghazout's story, we ride shotgun with Othmane Choufani, the town's export to the global big wave scene. Through his eyes, we witness the transformation of his hometown and the complex emotions that come with such rapid change.
Ramzi Boukhiam's story unfolds next, chronicling his rollercoaster journey to the Championship Tour. His decade-long struggle not only showcases his individual determination but also embodies the resilient spirit of Moroccan surfers as a whole.
And finally, we meet Mariam El Gordon, five-time national champion, who opens up about navigating the complexities of being an Amazigh woman, a Muslim, and a surfer in modern Morocco. Her story beautifully illustrates the delicate balance between honoring tradition and embracing progress that defines contemporary Moroccan surf culture.
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Chapter three is our first attempt at an unprecedented voyage - not to distant shores or foreign land, but into the depths of a concept - sustainability through the lens of action sports. We set out on a two-and-a-half-month expedition, navigating through the intricacies of sustainability within an industry that struggles with its own contradictory ideals. The result; a strikingly transparent snapshot of the industry's approach to environmental responsibility, a revelation that's both thought-provoking and deeply impactful.
Ride along as host and writer Sunny Fassler guides us through the rich tapestry of narratives and insights featuring industry trailblazers like Tom Kay of Finisterre, Billabong Europe CEO Simon Charlesworth, Patagonia's Gabe Davies, and industry strategist Adam Hall.
We delve into the paradoxes and challenges of eco-friendly initiatives, exploring how major brands like Billabong and Patagonia take on the delicate dance between sustainability, quality, and market demands. We also learn how Radio 4's shipping forecast was the catalyst for one of the world's most innovative outdoor apparel brands today. The following 90 minutes uncover the complexities of materials like natural rubber and the complicated realities behind greenwashing, offering an honest look at an industry at a crossroads.
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In this chapter, we journey across borders, time, and culture as we head from South East Asia to South East Africa. Mozambique, a nation shaped by the ebb and flow of its tumultuous history, yet glowing with an enduring determination.
A land touched by the footsteps of ancient civilizations and the sails of Vasco da Gama, bearing stories of resilience, hope, and the undeniable might of the human spirit. A landscape painted with the diverse tongues of its people, from the official Portuguese strains to the intricate web of over 40 indigenous languages, creating a beautiful, nonetheless complex, cultural fabric.
Join host and creator Sunny Fassler as he peels back the layers on Mozambique's intricate tapestry of culture, people, places, and stories with the help of four friends who call the nation separated by the Zambezi river home.
Min Sung Cho, or "Mini," is the pride of Mozambique's surf culture; his good pal Pedro Perino, a race car driver who went from racing in parking lots to the European Le Mans Racing Series, is made from the same cloth. And then there are people like Nobina Morimoto, a Japanese national who made Mozambique her home in 2010, working alongside Mini Cho as the administrator of Tofo Surf Club, an offshoot of South Africa's Surfers, not Street Children, a world-renowned organization that empowers street children and children at risk.
310 miles or roughly 500 kilometers south of Tofo Surf Club in Maputo, an unfolding narrative has begun to cement its place. A far cry from the sea's embrace, the city's asphalt has birthed its own form of rebellion.
Martin Louzecky rallied an international crew of skaters and volunteers, leading the establishment of two major skate parks in the capital. Beyond just venues for skating, these parks serve as communal hubs, places of shared determination and unity, instilling pride in the city's youth and giving them a tangible representation of collaboration and ambition.
Listen in as we bridge the gap between the past and the present, the only way we know how; through the lens of action sports.
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Embark on an exhilarating journey to Bali, the island of divine beauty, mystique, and vibrant cultural dance, in the first chapter of Duct Tape Theory with your host, Sunny Fassler. An amalgamation of world-class surf, ancient traditions, and modern allure, Bali is more than a tourist's paradise; it's a pulsating heart that has charmed many souls into calling it home.
Join us as we navigate Bali's renowned surf, emerald rice fields, vibrant nightlife, and authentic hospitality. But we go beyond the surface to uncover the true essence of the island through the eyes of its inhabitants. You'll meet legendary surfers Marlon Gerber and Rizal Tandjung, who've etched their names onto Bali's iconic waves, and learn about their unique paths to professional surfing. Hear from Afandy Dharma Fairbrother, a former pro skater who's revolutionized Bali's skate scene. Discover Bali through the lens of Swedish-Portuguese filmmaker and photographer Crille Rask, a testament to the island's irresistible charm.
But this is more than a travelogue. It's an examination of Bali's rich cultural history, its blend of ancient traditions with modern sensibilities, and a deep dive into the philosophy that underpins the Balinese way of life. Through intimate conversations and personal insights, we explore the island's melting pot of cultures, its enduring legacy, and its future in a rapidly changing world.
Whether you're drawn to the Island of the Gods for its waves, its history, or the stories of those who call it home, this episode promises a unique and in-depth look at Bali like never before.
Hit subscribe and join us on this unforgettable journey to an island that is so much more than a stopover; for many, it's home.
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