Quest Soliman has become a staple in NY surfing over the last few years. I’ve rarely seen someone who has started surfing so late in life, take to surfing the way he has. He’s been ripping the beaches of Rockaway but has also made a huge impact on the community and is giving back in so many ways. Whether it’s organizing events for surfers young and old, fundraising for great causes or just inspiring the next generation, Quest has solidified himself a spot in the lineup. His travel exploits...

On a bright sunny day at Gilgo Beach in 1963, a 13 year old Tony Caramonico remembers paddling out and catching the white water as the wave broke behind him. The unparalleled sensation of riding his first wave ushered in a sense of purpose and destiny. Surfing would be his North Star. A lot of people were surfers at the time and life got in the way for many of them. Tony was damn hell sure  life would not get in his way.  What would follow is a life filled with enough adventure and incredible...

James Katsipis is a Montauk-born artist, known for his exceptional ocean photography and stunning visual art. Over two decades ago, Katsipis began traveling around the world shooting and exploring distant shores as an adventure and surf photographer. Growing up in and around the ocean is the natural theme and influence throughout his portfolio. Today, as a fine art photographer and in-demand commissionable artist, James’s work is featured in fine art galleries, campaigns, books and magazines...

Jesse Faen is an Australian-born wanderer who’s been surfing for the past four decades and is now a dedicated kite, wing, and foil enthusiast. Jesse’s been around the block when it comes to the surf industry, working as an editor for Waves Magazine in Australia and Surfing Magazine in the US before working as the media director for the ASP (now WSL) where he traveled the world writing about the tour for a decade. Since then, Jesse has settled in LA where he ran the Insight clothing brand for...

Finisterre which in latin: finis terrae; means 'end of the earth'. Is a brand that exists first and foremost to meet the needs of the cold water surfer both in and out of the water. People like to call them the UK version of  Patagonia but, I’d wager founder Tom Kay must have mixed feelings about those comparisons. To be compared to an industry leader can be flattering but, I imagine Tom believes that they have their own unique voice and story to tell that can differentiate the two. Tom Kay,...

Nick Hounsfield was introduced to surfing by his father Brian in the mid 1970s on his regular visits to Cornwall in the United Kingdom. He has been an avid surfer ever since.Nick became an Osteopath by trade and founded a successful family business with this wife. But as time wore on and when Nick’s father passed away in the late 2000’s, he started to think about the world a little differently. He began to think about open spaces in nature and the healing aspects of engaging and being in...

Often overlooked for the warmer waters of its Hawaiian and Californian counterparts, the Atlantic coast of New Jersey has been home to surfing for 135 years, and in turn has held unsung influence over the history of the sport in America. -   Danny DiMauro and Johan Kugelberg.  Our Guests today are the contributors to the latest book from Rizzoli Publishing aptly names: I Heard There Were No Waves in New Jersey: Surfing on the Jersey Shore 1888-1984”. It's a beautiful book and tribute to New...

In this conversation, Kwame La Bassiere interviews Dr. Giovanni Martinez, a clinical psychologist in Puerto Rico who works with children with autism. Dr. Martinez started the organization Surf4Dem, which uses surf therapy to help children with autism improve their social communication skills, sensory processing disorders, and muscular tone. The therapy also has a positive impact on the families, as parents are encouraged to surf alongside their children. The program has been successful in...

We have a very special episode for you today. We had the good fortune to be asked to host a live Q&A with the 5x WSL Women’s World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, Carissa Moore at PIlgrim Surf & Supply to help promote her new book with Rizzoli Publishing named Hawaii Gold. The book is stunning and is Carissa’s homage to her home islands of Hawaii. Our conversation explores her journey  as she reflects on her illustrious career, cultural roots in Hawaii, and community support...

On this episode, we sit and talk with Stylist and Rockaway resident, Jesse James.  Our conversation follows her journey from Martha's Vineyard to NYC, reflecting on the fusion of community, identity, and the dynamic blend of culture and surfing. We delve into her evolving career and how her unique style and blend of thrift store savvy helped to lead her on an unexpected path. We tackle some of her past life challenges and her fond memories of a dear friend who recently passed.  Jesse embodies...

On this episode, Our guest John Zator and Host Tyler Breuer explore the profound impact of Lido Surf and Sport on New York's surfing scene during the mid 90's. We delve into John's journey, highlighting the shops innovative approach to building a vibrant community hub. John also reflects on his personal triumphs, health struggles, and the transformative power of surfing, emphasizing the enduring importance of community, love, and self-discovery in the face of adversity. John's influence on NY...

In this episode of the WeSurf podcast, Kwame LaBassiere interviews two female surfers, Berna and Beah, about their experiences in the surfing community. They discuss how they got into surfing and the challenges they faced as beginners. The conversation also touches on the importance of etiquette in the lineup and the gray areas surrounding who has the right of way. Additionally, they explore the unique experiences and perspectives of being female surfers in a predominantly male-dominated...

Patrick Trefz is a multitalented individual known for his work as a photographer, chef, painter, and filmmaker. Trefz has gained recognition for his documentaries, including Thread, Idiosyncrasies, Surfer's Blood, and Man in the Field, which have received acclaim and featured in various publications. In his latest project, Ode to Travel, Trefz's explores the world mixing the metropolitan and the deeply rural by bringing food and culture together in this latest book of recipes and...

Welcome to episode 7 of the We Surf podcast. Often you will hear surfers referred to as Wave Dancers. On this episode we meet wave dancers who are also ballet dancers. Mei and Shui Lee or as their instagram handle refers to them as The Lee Twins. Kwame discusses speaks to them about how and why they started surfing. How their dance background has helped their surfing. And some of the experiences they have had in the water, both negative and positive. Their energy is infectious and you don’t...

Welcome to episode 6 of the WeSurf podcast. This episode is done a little differently. Co-host Kwame Labassiere, recorded this episode while in Puerto Rico at the International Surf Therapy Organization conference. While there he interviewed professional surfer Chris Dennis from Trinidad and Tobago. Chris is the co-founder of Waves for Hope, an organization that runs youth development programs that utilize surfing and mentorship to provide positive psychology education to at-risk youths in...

Sarah Aziza and Caleb Winship are two star crossed lovers, Sarah, is Palestinian and Caleb is Jewish. In the shadow of the horrific events taking place in the middle east, they provide a light and hope for the future. Sarah and Caleb share how they met and developed their relationship. Sarah, as a Palestinian-American, talks about her upbringing, struggling with her identity, and navigating the challenges of an increasingly complex political landscape. Caleb, who is Jewish, shares his...

On this episode, Guest Host Toddy Stewart brings back onto the show, filmmaker, artist, publisher and all around amazing person, Mick Sowry. The two take a deep dive into his life as it revolves around his surfing experience, his career transitions and creative processes in art and photography. Mick opens up about his relationship with his wife late wife, Sue and how he coped with her loss, and his insights about life and aging. This episode also touches on Mick's involvement in projects such...

On this episode of WeSurf Nigel and Kwame speak with documentary filmmaker and reborn surfer Mosiah Moonsammy. An award winning filmmaker based in NYC, Mosiah's last project “Last Bodega In Brooklyn” played internationally on the film festival circuit and was received with rave reviews. After meeting Nigel at Station RBNY, Mosiah became interested in telling Nigel’s story and showing the world what a black owned surf shop in the Northeast of the US means to surfers of color through his...

Set aside some time for this doozy of an episode! It could have happened anytime, anywhere. But our guest’s story takes place in Santa Barbara, California from 1980 to 1983. Four short years thatsaw a giant leap forward in the development of West Coast surfing, design, performance and image. It was set off by a rare combination of individuals, innovation and illumination,against a backdrop of some of the best seasons of surf in two decades. Some have called this California’s Halcyon...

Nikki Van Dijk was a major threat on the women’s Championship Tour. Her best season on tour was in 2017 where she reached No. 7 on the Leaderboard after claiming her first CT victory at the Cascais Women’s Pro in Portugal. Her style is smooth rail surfing shaped by her years of honing her approach on Phillip Island, a remote little enclave that’s a day trip away from Melbourne, Australia. She inherited her passion and froth for surfing from her surf-crazed dad. In 2012, during her final year...

On this episode, we are joined with Author, Award Winning Filmmaker, Podcaster and Surf Trip Guru, Laurel Senick. She just completed her first novel, Foam, a surf adventure with a female protagonist, Casasandra Lee who is an out of work journalist whose life is in shambles and runs to Rincon Puerto Rico in hopes of realizing her dreams. It’s when she is researching a free diver’s death, she uncovers a drug ring and kidnapping plot and discovers that this sleepy town has a darker underbelly....

If you live with the myths in your mind, you will find yourself always in mythological situations. They cover everything that can happen to you. And that enables you to interpret the myth in relation to life, as well as life in relation to myth. - Joseph Campbell Our guest is former pro surfer, writer, rescue and relief activist, Matt George. He is someone who helped to create and build the myths that make up surf history. For our guest, surfing became more than a sport. It became a world...

Our Guest is a trailblazer in the surfing world. On March 2022, Sasha Jane Lowerson placed ninth in the Noosa Festival of Surfing, becoming the first trans woman to compete in surfing at the professional level. Two months later, she placed first in the Open Women's and Women's Logger divisions at the Western Australian State Titles. This win garnered her a lot of attention and has provoked the surfing world to have the conversation about the inclusion of trans athletes in the world of...

Liam Tracy is a creative force. He has worked as a creative director with massive companies such as Peloton, ROC Nation, Burton, Faherty bros, Colling Media, Mr. Purple, Kachava and more… Under his alias, "Duppy", Liam creates beautiful, poppy paintings that carry influences from skate and street art. His work is reminiscent of a beautiful blend of Barry Mcgee, Ed Templeton and Peter Webb. Liam has embarked on starting his own creative agency this year, aptly called Duppy Design. He is...