PINCH MY SALT

Dane Reynolds is on the hot seat as Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan break down Dane Reynolds, Kelly Slater, Jack Johnson, the modern surf industry, WSL surf culture, pro surfing, surf history, Shakas, sandals, flip-flops, and what happened to the culture of surfing. Is Dane Reynolds responsible for changing what was “cool” in surfing? Did the surf industry abandon its Hawaiian roots? And is Kelly Slater officially surfing like Kelly Slater again?

This episode of the Pinch My Salt surf podcast dives deep into surf culture, professional surfing, surf industry trends, Kelly Slater surfing at Lowers, Dane Reynolds still shredding, Rob Machado, Reef, Hawaiian surf culture, modern surf brands, Gen Z surfers, women’s surfing, Erin Brooks, Gabriela Bryan, surfing style, surf progression, WSL competition, Lower Trestles, river surfing, surf etiquette, surf wipeouts, and the difference between old-school surfing and today’s surf scene.

Sterling and Ryan also get into Jack Johnson, the “100th Monkey” theory, the origins of skateboarding and surf-skate culture, Jack Johnson’s dad possibly building one of the earliest skateboards, Cousin Ryan’s trip to Ireland, surfing Lahinch, Irish surf culture, giant waves near the Cliffs of Moher, turning 40, surf travel, stem cell treatment, brain injury recovery, spirituality, modern gurus, social media, Tim Tebow and the Life Surge controversy, and plenty of completely unnecessary Pinch My Salt observations along the way.

The big question: Did surfing lose part of its identity when surfers stopped wanting to look like surfers?

Sterling tells the story of a time when Dane Reynolds was one of the biggest cultural influences in surfing—and how Dane’s dislike of Shakas, sandals and traditional surfer style may have helped push an entire generation toward a different image. That leads to a bigger conversation about Rob Machado, Reef, California surf culture, Hawaiian surf culture, surf fashion, professional surfers starting brands, and why the surf industry may have lost touch with the people who simply love surfing.

PLUS:

🏄 Kelly Slater surfing Lowers and looking locked in again
🤙 Dane Reynolds vs. the Shaka
🩴 The death—and return—of sandals and surf culture
🌊 Why old-school surf culture felt different
🔥 The progression of women’s professional surfing
🏄‍♀️ Erin Brooks and the new generation of female surfers
🎸 Jack Johnson and the 100th Monkey theory
🛹 Who actually invented the skateboard?

If you grew up watching Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, Rob Machado, Shane Dorian, Laird Hamilton, Jack Johnson, Gabriel Medina, Griffin Colapinto or the golden era of surf videos and surf magazines—or you follow the WSL, professional surfing, surf podcasts, surf news and modern surf culture—this episode is for you.

Drop a comment: Are sandals and Shakas essential to surf culture—or is Dane Reynolds right?

SUBSCRIBE to Pinch My Salt for weekly surf stories, surf news, surfing commentary, surf industry conversations, professional surfer stories, comedy, interviews and the weirdest corners of surf culture.

#DaneReynolds #KellySlater #Surfing #SurfPodcast #SurfCulture #PinchMySalt #WSL #JackJohnson #RobMachado #ProSurfing #SurfNews #SterlingSpencer

KEYWORDS:
Dane Reynolds, Dane Reynolds surfing, Kelly Slater, Kelly Slater surfing, Kelly Slater Lowers, Jack Johnson, Jack Johnson surfing, Rob Machado, Sterling Spencer, Cousin Ryan, Pinch My Salt, Pinch My Salt podcast, surf podcast, surfing podcast, surf culture, surf industry, surf industry news, surf news, pro surfing, professional surfing, WSL, World Surf League, Lower Trestles, Lowers surfing, surf contest, surf history, old school surfing, Hawaiian surf culture, California surf culture, surf lifestyle, surf brands, surf fashion, surf videos, viral surfing, surf clips, surfing commentary, surf comedy, women’s surfing, women’s professional surfing, Erin Brooks, Gabriela Bryan, Gen Z surfers, surfing style, surfing progression, surf etiquette, river surfing, Ireland surfing, Lahinch surfing, Cliffs of Moher surfing, big wave surfing, Shane Dorian, Laird Hamilton, Gabriel Medina, Griffin Colapinto, Reef surf, Shaka, surf Shaka, sandals and Shakas, flip flops surfing, skateboard history, surf skate, stem cells, surfing podcast 2026
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This week on Pinch My Salt, pro surfer Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan dive into surfing, surf culture, professional surfing, WSL, Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Jordy Smith, Jamie O’Brien, Gabriel Medina, Filipe Toledo, Jack Johnson, Tom Curren, Taj Burrow, Dane Reynolds, surf history, surf clips, surf movies, surf training, longboarding, skimboarding, surf coaching, barrels, airs, carves, big-wave surfing, Pipeline, Hawaii surfing, surf contests, surf style, and the greatest surfers of all time.

The boys break down the Kelly Slater vs. John John Florence GOAT debate, ask whether Jordy Smith belongs on surfing’s Mount Rushmore, talk about how world titles affect a surfer’s legacy, and debate whether modern surf coaching is hurting originality and natural surf style. There’s also Jamie O’Brien trolling a surf school, Gabriel Medina clips, Filipe Toledo longboarding, Kelly Slater grappling, old-school Hawaii surf footage, crazy skimboarding, surf training fails, barrels, wipeouts, surf skating, and some of the strangest surf clips on the internet.

And because this is Pinch My Salt, the conversation eventually takes a hard turn into one of Sterling’s greatest discoveries: how an average-looking guy can date a girl completely out of his league.

Sterling unveils his extremely scientific formula involving pasta, an ocean walk, dark chocolate, confidence, cleanliness, and somehow… baby powder.

Sterling and Ryan also get into dating above your pay grade, getting ghosted, Gen Z dating, the dreaded “ick,” relationships, marriage, glow-ups, and what happens after you actually get the girl.

Along the way, the boys ask the important questions:

Can Kelly Slater shoot a basketball?

Is Chris Hemsworth one of the most famous surfers on Earth?

Is Jamie O’Brien still core?

Does winning a world title automatically make you one of the greatest surfers ever?

Could Jordy Smith be underrated in the GOAT conversation?

Who surfs better overall: Kelly Slater or John John Florence?

And can doing a 360 actually impress a girl?

After recent conversations with Jack Johnson, Gabby Reece and Jordy Smith, the surf debate keeps getting bigger. The boys compare Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Tom Curren, Jordy Smith, Taj Burrow, Dane Reynolds and more while trying to figure out who actually deserves to be called the greatest surfer of all time.

If you love surfing podcasts, surf comedy, surf culture, professional surfing, WSL, surf news, surf history, surf movies, surf clips, Pipeline, Hawaii surfing, surf legends, Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Jordy Smith, Jamie O’Brien, Jack Johnson, Dane Reynolds, Gabriel Medina, Filipe Toledo, funny podcasts, comedy podcasts and completely unnecessary surfing debates, you found your people.

Welcome to Pinch My Salt with Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan.

Subscribe and let us know in the comments:

Who is the greatest surfer of all time?

And if you’ve got one…

What’s your secret for dating above your pay grade?

You know the rules. 🤙
#PinchMySalt #Surfing #SurfPodcast #SterlingSpencer #KellySlater
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Jordy Smith joins Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan on Pinch My Salt for an unreal conversation about professional surfing, the WSL Championship Tour, Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, Andy Irons, Billabong, Nike, O’Neill, Modern Collective, South African surfing, J-Bay, the North Shore of Hawaii, surf movies, sponsorship deals and one of the craziest untold stories in surf history.

Jordy Smith is a World Junior Champion, X Games gold medalist, two-time World Title runner-up, Olympian and one of the longest-running surfers in modern Championship Tour history. In this episode, Jordy opens up about growing up in South Africa, becoming one of the most hyped young surfers in the world, being called “the next Kelly Slater,” traveling and surfing with Sterling Spencer as teenagers, competing against Kelly Slater, his legendary Modern Collective section, Dane Reynolds, the golden era of surf films and what professional surfing was really like behind the scenes.

But the wildest story might be Jordy Smith’s LOST SURF MOVIE.

Jordy and Sterling spent months traveling through South Africa, the Maldives, Australia and beyond filming what was supposed to become Jordy’s breakout surf movie. Then his relationship with Billabong fell apart, the hard drives disappeared, Jordy says he spent nearly 10 YEARS trying to track down the footage—and he still hasn’t seen it.

Then came the $500,000 lawsuit.

Jordy talks about being a young rookie, coming from very little money in South Africa and suddenly facing a lawsuit so massive that his parents were considering selling their house and cars. It’s an incredible look behind the curtain at the surf industry during one of its biggest eras.

We also get into:

Jordy Smith vs. Kelly Slater and whether Kelly was ever overscoredThe Jordy Smith vs. Dane Reynolds eraModern Collective and Jordy’s insane surfing in 2010Why Jordy turned down Nike 6.0Flying to Nike headquarters on Phil Knight’s private planeThe truth behind the Michael Jordan rumorsO’Neill, DVS and huge surf sponsorship dealsGrowing up surfing South Africa and Hawaii’s North ShoreJ-Bay and Jordy’s rise through professional surfingAndy Irons and the legendary Billabong surf teamMikey February and South African surf cultureWhy the surf industry changedCore surfing vs. mainstream surfingSurf shops, local shapers and the old surf industryJordy’s plans after the Championship TourChasing undiscovered waves around the worldThe origin story of “YOU KNOW THE RULES”And why Jordy might be one of the funniest surfers alive.

This is one of those episodes where surf history, surf culture and stories from professional surfing collide. If you grew up watching surf videos, following the ASP / WSL World Tour, watching Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Dane Reynolds, Taj Burrow, Joel Parkinson, Jordy Smith and the generation that defined modern surfing, you’re going to love this one.

Leave Jordy some love in the comments and tell us: WHERE IS THE LOST JORDY SMITH FOOTAGE?

Subscribe to PINCH MY SALT for more long-form surf interviews, surf history, surf culture, comedy, professional surfing stories and conversations with some of the biggest names in surfing.

#JordySmith #Surfing #PinchMySalt #WSL #KellySlater #ProfessionalSurfing #SurfPodcast #SurfCulture #DaneReynolds #ModernCollective
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Gabby Reece joins Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan on the Pinch My Salt podcast for a wide-ranging conversation about Laird Hamilton, the WNBA and women’s sports, Title IX, transgender athletes in sports, Nike, Tinker Hatfield, MTV Sports, Florida State volleyball, big-wave surfing, surf culture, fitness, family, relationships and life behind one of surfing’s most recognizable couples.

Gabby Reece opens up about how she met Laird Hamilton while interviewing him, the early days of their relationship, helping Laird navigate the business side of big-wave surfing, and becoming what Pinch My Salt calls the “Momfather” of surf culture. Gabby also tells the story behind her Nike signature shoe designed by legendary Nike designer Tinker Hatfield, her days on MTV Sports during the rise of extreme sports, her volleyball career at Florida State, and how she went from growing up in St. Thomas to becoming one of the most recognizable female athletes of her generation.

The conversation takes a serious turn when Gabby gives her perspective on the WNBA, women’s sports, Title IX, biological differences in competition, transgender athletes and protecting opportunities for young female athletes. As someone whose own college opportunity came through athletics, Gabby explains why the debate matters to her and why she believes the conversation has become unnecessarily political.

Gabby also talks about training, health, aging, raising daughters with Laird Hamilton, what their family is actually like behind closed doors, and why surfing will probably always be Laird’s “girlfriend.”

And because this is Pinch My Salt, things eventually go completely off the rails.

Gabby reveals whether she was Laird’s “sugar mama,” talks about her Playboy shoot, jokes about starting an OnlyFans for her size-12 feet, and tells the hilarious story behind a naked Body Issue photo shoot with Laird where he was VERY unhappy about the situation.

From Nike and MTV to volleyball, women’s sports, WNBA controversy, big-wave surfing, Laird Hamilton, Shane Dorian, fitness, marriage and surf culture, this is a side of Gabby Reece you probably haven’t heard before.

Subscribe to Pinch My Salt for more surf stories, interviews, comedy and conversations with some of the biggest personalities in surfing and action sports.

#GabbyReece #LairdHamilton #PinchMySalt #WomensSports #Surfing
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Jack Johnson joins Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan on the Pinch My Salt Podcast for a hilarious, wide-ranging conversation about surfing, music, Hawaii, Kelly Slater, Tom Curren, John John Florence, Willie Nelson, Ben Harper, G. Love, Rob Machado, songwriting, touring, fame and the stories behind some of Jack Johnson’s biggest songs.

Jack Johnson talks about the real story behind “Banana Pancakes,” “Bubble Toes” and “Rodeo Clowns,” his early music career, opening for Ben Harper, growing up surfing in Hawaii, the North Shore surf scene, and how Kelly Slater helped turn “Rodeo Clowns” into the name of a surfing maneuver. Jack also breaks down Kelly Slater vs. Tom Curren, explains why he believes John John Florence may be the best surfer in the world, and talks Nathan Fletcher, Christian Fletcher, Rob Machado, Pipeline, Sunset Beach, big-wave surfing and the surfers who influenced him.

Plus, Jack plays music live in the Pinch My Salt studio and tells the incredible story of playing poker with Willie Nelson.

This is Jack Johnson like you probably haven’t heard him before.

Jack gets into the story of meeting Willie Nelson at a benefit concert in Maui, getting invited back to Willie’s house to play poker, and the song that came out of the experience. He talks about forgetting lyrics and hitting wrong chords on stage, why those mistakes can actually make live music better, and how he learned to deal with the pressure of performing in front of huge crowds.

Jack also opens up about fame, imposter syndrome, mental health, staying grounded in Hawaii, and why too much attention can start to feel unhealthy. He explains how Ben Harper and G. Love inspired him before he ever knew them personally, and what it was like going from being a fan to opening shows for Ben Harper.

We also get into the surprising story behind Jack Johnson’s Curious George soundtrack, working on the film with Hans Zimmer, and why making music for an animated kids movie felt like such a strange move within surf culture at the time.

Then it gets DEEP into surfing.

Kelly Slater vs. Tom Curren. John John Florence. Dane Reynolds. Nathan Fletcher. Christian Fletcher. Rob Machado. Pipeline. Sunset. Margaret River. Surf style vs. progression. What makes someone truly “core.” And Jack’s perspective as someone who grew up completely immersed in the North Shore surf world before becoming one of the biggest musicians in the world.

Jack also talks about his wife Kim, writing love songs, balancing marriage and success, raising a family, touring, his Surf Film Music project, September Sessions, and the work he and Kim do through the Kōkua Hawaiʻi Foundation and its environmental education programs in Hawaii.

And somehow we also try to launch Jack Johnson’s new phrases “That’s What the Babies Eat” and “Rumpelstiltskin It” into surf culture.

This one went places.

Welcome back to PINCH MY SALT with Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan.

Subscribe for more conversations with the biggest names in surfing, music, action sports and surf culture.

#JackJohnson #PinchMySalt #Surfing #KellySlater #JohnJohnFlorence #TomCurren #BananaPancakes #SurfPodcast #WillieNelson #BenHarper #NorthShore #Hawaii #SurfCulture
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