In this episode of The Drop, Mikey and Buck dive deep into the WSL's mid-year cut fiasco, with surfers threatening to boycott the next event and Elo having none of it. 

We also chat about some other stuff. Here's a breakdown:
- WSL Responds to Surfer Petition (1:30)
- Serial Surf pest (25:00)
- Why You Won’t Get A Deal On Your New Surfboard (32:00)
- Surfing’s first 360 flip?! (36:00)
- Surf sin (43:40)

The Mid-Year Cut Fiasco: Explained

The biggest we've seen since covid!

Mikey C returns to The Drop this week, just in time to pepper Buck about the major sponsor changes coming to Billabong and Quik surfers on November 1. 

They also discuss the best surfing Taylor Steele has ever seen, our favorite written story of the year, Vans Stab High presented by Monster Energy ep 1, and more! 

Time codes for those with selective hearing:
- Huge changes in store for Billabong and Quik surfers (1:30)
- Tales from the Vans Stab High Indonesia presented by Monster Energy judges' tower (4:00)
- Our favorite written piece of the year? (14:15)
- The best session of Kelly's life, as told by Tay Steele (18:45)
- The 3 CT surfers getting university degrees (25:45)
- The truth about mid-lengths (29:30)
- Surf sin (35:00)

Massive Sponsorship Shakeup Incoming...

Red Bull and Stab's travel series by surfers is back! In our first episode for this season of Red Bull No Contest Ashton takes a behind the scenes look at San Francisco's thick skinned & big hearted surf community. Along for the ride is J.O.B, Ian Walsh, Izzy Gomez & Lewis Samuels.

Red Bull No Contest trots to San Francisco

Welcome back to Red Bull No Contest. A travel series by surfers presented by Red Bull & Stab. In this episode are off to South Africa,. 

Click here to view the whole episode.
https://www.redbull.com/int-en/episodes/no-contest-off-tour-s2-e4

No Contest host Ashton Goggans is joined by Red Bull athlete and HSGP star Jordy Smith exploring the 984km stretch of coast between Durban and Jeffreys Bay.

Jump into this podcast for a deeper look into the trip!

No Contest: South Africa

Use code 'stabholiday23' for 10% a Stab Premium gift!

This week, Mikey and Buck discuss what the hell is happening over at the biggest surf site in the world: Surfline. 

Next they break down two new Stab releases: Cheat Codes with Steph Gilmore and a deleted scene from our upcoming Chippa Wilson film in the Palm Springs Surf Club. 

Finally we break down the New Jersey swell that owned Instagram this week (hint: it wasn't actually that good) and meet a man who hasn't slept in a house in 10 years, in pursuit of never-ending tubes.

What's Going On At Surfline?

We're back after a three week hiatus! 

Mikey and Buck break down everything that's been happening lately — Stab Highway, Stab Con, the Quik Fest — before Sam McIntosh shares his exclusive post-Finals chat with John Florence. 

Get the full JJF interview plus other news at stabmag.com

JJF Explains His Pre-Finals Ritual + Stab Highway Horrors Revealed

'Snapt' creator Logan Dulien has lived nine lives in the space of 40-odd years. Surfer. Filmmaker. Manager. Husband. Father. Addict. Caregiver. Vigilante. Surfer (again).

In this chat, we learn about his early years hanging with Andy and Bruce, becoming a band manager for Mickey Avalon, getting addicted to prescription opiates, then finally crawling back from the depths of hell and reinvigorating the independent surf film. 

"I Traded OxyContin For Surfing" - The Logan Dulien Interview

A major announcement from the WSL, and another from Stab.

Mikey and Buck break down everything happening this week in surfing. 

Email him for Mikey's leash — buck@stabmag.com.

The CS Is Going To Pipe?

Judging a subjective sport is objectively impossible. Humans are always gonna get it wrong — at least in somebody's eyes. But what if there was a *slightly* better way to approach surf judging than they way we've done the past 30 years... would we even entertain an alternative?

In this episode of The Drop, Mikey C proposes a subtle amendment to the current system, while Stace G thinks we should napalm the whole thing and start from scratch. 

Meanwhile, the 9th CT event of the season kicks off at Jeffrey's Bay this weekend, and the forecast is mouth-watering. Picks and predictions inside — place your bets on betonline.ag. 

Is Surf Judging Broken? + J-Bay Picks!

Against all things holy, the last men standing at Jeffrey's rode with their right foot forward. How did it happen, and what does it mean for the world title? Mikey and Buck break it all down, including the new WSL Finals rules and our best betonline.ag dog of the season. 

Then the boys delve into the news: a fantastic new surf law in the Philippines, a youth film that shattered pro surfer dreams, and why Florence (the brand) is attracting so many big-name investors in the surf industry. 

Finally, to quell the masses, the boys release the Epokhe files. 

Goofs Rule The World (But Mostly J-Bay)

MEGA POD ALERT!

Stace Galbraith joins us from the Teahupo'o channel with a cameo from Eimeo Czermak and analysis of the top CTers warming up for the 2025 Tahiti Pro. 

Later, we hear from Tom De Souza on the ground in Bali, where the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang just concluded in spectacular fashion (just ask the local acai lady). 

Finally, Mikey and Buck break down the most exciting surf event of the week (year), the US Open of Surfing, where Jadson Andre placed a respectable yet contentious 17th. 

PS, here's a little look at our Final 5 math, in case you want to impress the prettiest girl in the lineup (she totally cares!): https://stabmag.com/news/so-whos-gonna-make-the-final-five/

LIVE FROM THE CHANNEL — Tahiti Pro 2025

The WSL regular season goes out with a full fireworks display... or is that just Jordy Maree's apartment after another blackjack win?

It was a strange but enthralling week of surfing — let's discuss with Mikey, Stace, Buck and special guest Snake Paterson. 

Snake Dissects Tahiti & Pro Surfers Find Alternative Income Streams

Live from Tavarua, we chat with the most prolific shaper in the WSL Finals (by a longshot) — Matt Biolos is peddling foam to Griffin, Caroline, Gabby, Bettylou and Yago Dora, all of whom are in with a shot for a world title this week. 

Matt Biolos Explains How He Got 5 Surfers In The WSL Finals

Better late than never!

Joey T, Vaughan, and Ron join Mikey C on the sand to discuss warm-up sessions and hot tips from Tavarua Island. 

Sparknotes: 

Dogs: Italo and Caroline
Faves: Yago and Molly

Joe Turpel & Blakey Bros Talk WSL Finals Predictions

Bula vinaka from Tavarua Island, where we just finished interviewing the 2025 world champions of surfing — Yago Dora and Molly Picklum. 

You'll hear that toward the end of the pod, but first, Stace G and Mikey C dissect their very different views of Finals day in Fiji, including peak performances and surprise letdowns.

Introducing The World Champs: Yago Dora & Molly Picklum

We finally got the GOAT. What does he really think about the modern state of surfing — you're about to find out. 

But first, this week's surf news with Mikey and Buck. 

Welcome to The Drop, Kelly Slater

Surf100 California x Pacifico is complete, and we have a (somewhat) controversial winner — at least if you ask Kelly Slater (nobody did, but he gave us his thoughts anyway). 

What's not controversial is that Mike Stewart is one of (if not THE) greatest waveriders in human history, so Mikey and Buck break down some of his career feats tube theories. 

There are also two major sponsor updates this week: Chippa Wilson leaving his 10-year partnership with Brixton for an Italian wingbat brand, and ANOTHER surfer being signed by Nike. 

Buck also gives us a live report from the Quik Fest in France, where partying is obligatory and tops are optional. 

Link for 15% off LISS products: LivinginSunshine.com/stab

Did Eithan Get Overscored?

We're currently en route to Sydney for our first-ever Stab High on native soil. We'll be at URBNsurf Sydney on October 10th and 11th, so join us if you're around — all info (including tickets) here: https://stabmag.com/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-stab-high-sydney-2025-presented-by-monster-energy/

The current women's world champ is already locked in to battle against reigning Stab High champ Sierra Kerr (+ Mill Coco Brown, Sky Brown and Bella Kenworthy), and there are whispers of another recent world champ joining us on the men's side. Have a listen and see if you can figure out who. 

Buck and Mikey also discuss some recently completed events: EAST Fest, Stab Con and Quik Fest 2025, as well as some surf news. Namely: Nate Florence signed by Red Bull, why Soli Bailey has been out of the water for nine months, and how OnlyFans has been quietly funding surf careers. 

Link for 15% off Living in Sunshine products: LivinginSunshine.com/stab

2x World Champs At Stab High?!

Yago Dora joins our little pool party alongside fellow world champ Molly Picklum to face off against the reigning Stab High Champs Hughie Vaughan and Sierra Kerr. 

Mikey C and Stace provide White Claw-fueled insight and some sneaky picks from our practice day. 

Guess Who Dominated Stab High Warmups...

That's a wrap for Stab High Sydney. 

If you live under a state-imposed media blackout: Joel Vaughan and Sierra Kerr took out the Men's and Women's divisions on their very last waves, while Skai Suitt and Loci Cullen won the Ladybirds and Bottle Rockets. World champ Yago Dora owned the Monster Air for a massive late spin. 

Mikey and Buck break down the event and some BTS moments fresh out of a deranged after party. 

Buzzer Beaters To Beat The World Champs!

Tya Zebrowski recently became the youngest-ever CT qualifier at 14 years old. But just quietly, another surfer is on track to become the oldest CT qualifier in the same graduating class. By all accounts, a far more impressive achievement. 

Also this week: Mikey and Buck rank the greatest surf towns, steal leashes, get up & stand for Jamaican beach rights, and a whole lot more. 

VEIA GIVEAWAY

Do you live in Europe, and want to win a Veia leash or a Stab towel? Send a picture of your worst surf rash (or any rash really) to buck@stabmag.com. 



The Oldest-Ever CT Qualifier

One man's miracle is another man's marketing ploy. 

It was kind of a dark week in surfing, from fake pregnancy announcements to brain tumors to death, but at least we have a little EAST sugar to help it all go down.  

Mikey and Buck break it all down and give away a new Veia leash to one lucky listener (who we hope is not an incel). 

Gabriel Medina Is Not The Father

What really happened at the GB Cup this week? 

Mikey and Buck do their own research and reveal the truth behind the headlines. We also ride shotgun with Mick Fanning, drive deep into the Atacama Desert, and find ourselves face-to-face with surfing's most digitally-inept superhuman. 

If you listen to this pod, you can support us by supporting: Veia, FCS, Living in Sunshine. 

The Great British Burn-Off, Explained

In the same week, Joel Tudor took on a major airline (and won), Jaleesa Vincent wrote an explicit rap song about her Pussy (surfboard), and a world junior champ put his life savings into a luxury sunglass brand. 

Just when you thought surfing was gonna be just fine, Paul Evans joins the pod to excoriate children and tell us when, precisely, our little hobby went tits up. 

Buy Veia boardbags (with wheels) if you, unlike Paul, prefer convenience to chaos. 

Joel Tudor Takes Down Hawaiian And Paul Evans Hates Children

At 33, Carissa Moore will be the first mom to return to the CT since the mid-2000s. Mikey and Buck discuss her legacy and chances of winning another world title against today's new class of champions. 

Also, the boys get wrapped up in a wavepool imbroglio that took Billy Wilson 4 months to investigate. Our apologies to anyone named Nick. 

Snapt5 dropped exclusively on Stab Premium this week, along with a note from Sam McIntosh about what we've been up to and where Stab is heading in the next six months. 

Carissa's Back! And WSL Might Have A Wildcard Problem...

Depends who you ask. If it's Mikey C or Buck, well, the answers still vary. 

This week the boys break down 14 more titles returning to the CT, a new ep of EAST, and a couple real thinkers:
1. Is Chat GPT ruining surf culture?
2. Who has the right to protect a wave?

It's a heady ep, one that might come up in your next (therapy) session. But in the end, it's only surfing. Don't think too hard. 

Can John, Medina Or Steph Win Again?

Sorry we're late, tech difficulties! 

And if you missed last week's ep, that's probably our fault as well. Something happened where it didn't upload to Apple pods until yesterday, so now we've got two eps in two days which I guess is better than nothing. Maybe? 

I'd say it won't happen again, but it probably will, so thanks as always for coming along for the ride with us. 


For now

Jon Pyzel's Elite Volume Hack!

Where does localism end and insanity begin? Particularly in the Canary Islands, where a crazed, scooter-riding, rock-wielding man just went full Joe Namath on a visiting surfer. 

Buck and Mikey break this down along with an exclusive Kolohe Andino interview, Nate Florence's Austrian torture chamber, Mikey Feb's broken board theory, the world's best artificial wave and some exciting news from Hawaii. 

Localism's Final Boss: The Scooter Guy

The last Drop of 2025 is a heavy one. 

A reigning world champ parts with his headline sponsor. The WSL calls off the day of the event at Pipe. Stab gets in a bidding war with a major surf brand (and loses, then wins). And Stab Surfer of the Year gets a facelift. 

A World Champ Walks, Stab Wins A Bidding War, And Why We Changed Surfer Of The Year...

In episode two of CUSP, Stace and Mike talk about the highly contentious Pipe Masters finale. Topics covered include: Italo's dominance, Slater's ageless mastery, and Medina's q antics

A more detailed look at their discourse, here:

0.00 intro
2.00 pipeline breakdown - Italo
14.00 Wildcard seeding, Billy Kemper
16.50 Gabby & Caio Interference
23.30 Unsportsmanlike Rule
26.50 Is Gabby above the law?
32.00 Do we change the drop in rule?
34.20 Getting comboed, should it even happen?
38.41 JJF v Medina Rivalry
41.33 Who wins the 2020 Title?
42.50 Kelly & JJF Olympics and Kelly chat
44.44 Kelly retirement
47.05 Kelly Late entry to sunset
49.16 Chin Wag Section - Performance drugs in surfing
53.28 Weight in surfing
55.40 Using lighter equipment, is it better?
1.04.10 Q3 Biggest Hassler at events?
1.08.51 Biggest Hassler not on tour
1.14.40 What the score? Q1 Gabby crying
1.18.47 Q2 Blocking on insta

CUSP Ep. 2: Why Didn't the WSL Charge Medina With a Rule Book Infraction? Pipe Masters Edition!

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