About this episode

This episode discusses surf culture, gender issues in surfing, and the impact of media on the sport.

Kelly Slater, surf etiquette, women in surfing, Blue Crush, Nathan Florence, Jamie O’Brien, Dane Reynolds, the US Open of Surfing, surf culture, surf controversy, and the future of professional surfing all collide in this episode of Pinch My Salt with Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan.We break down the viral “paddle harder” surfing controversy and Kelly Slater’s response, debate whether surf lineups care more about gender or skill level, and talk surf etiquette, beginner surfers, kook levels, women’s surfing, and what actually earns respect in the water. Then Sterling goes deep on Blue Crush, Kate Bosworth, the movie’s surf stunt doubles, Hawaii, Sunset Beach, and why Blue Crush may have done more to push surfing into mainstream culture than pro surfers ever realized.Bid on the Signed photo!!!!! https://ebay.io/m/GuSMwaFrom there, we get into Nathan Florence, John John Florence, Jamie O’Brien, Dane Reynolds, Andy Irons, YouTube surfing, surf vlogs, surf media, old-school surf movies, Taylor Steele, Surf Madness, and how social media changed what it means to be a famous surfer. Plus: New Smyrna Beach sharks, surfing while pregnant, Tony Hawk, Herbie Fletcher, foiling, Huntington…

People in this episode

Hosts: Sterling Spencer, Cousin Ryan

Topics covered

• surf culture
• women in surfing
• surf etiquette
• surf controversy
• professional surfing
• social media in surfing

Keywords

• surfing
• Kelly Slater
• Blue Crush
• surf etiquette
• women's surfing
• Nathan Florence
• social media
• surf controversy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Blue Crush, US Open of Surfing, Taylor Steele

Places: Hawaii, New Smyrna Beach, Huntington Beach

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• EP 140 | Why Is Everyone Mad at Kolohe Andino? | Pinch My Salt · August 25, 2026 · 1h 2m
• EP 139 | Brad Gerlach Talks Kelly Slater, Felipe Toledo & Teahupo’o Drama | Pinch My Salt · August 18, 2026 · 56 min
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