The Saltcreek Kid with Pat O'Connell

From Surf Stories by Florida Surf Film Festival

May 2, 2026 · 1h 11m · Episode 118

About this episode

Pat O'Connell shares his journey from a late start in surfing to becoming a beloved figure in the sport.

Pat O'Connell didn't touch saltwater until he was twelve and somehow became one of surfing's most beloved figures. A natural competitor, he represented the U.S. at the 1990 World Amateur Championships before landing a starring role in Bruce Brown's Endless Summer II — a film that introduced surfing's joy to a whole new generation. He went on to compete on the ASP World Tour for over a decade, peaking at 11th in the world, before transitioning into the surf industry with Hurley, the WSL, and Florence Marine X. John Brooks and Kevin Miller lock Pat in the hot seat for some quality stories. Enjoy.

People in this episode

Hosts: John Brooks, Kevin Miller

Guest: Pat O'Connell

Topics covered

surfing
competition
surf industry
storytelling
personal journey

Keywords

Pat O'Connell
surfing
Endless Summer II
ASP World Tour
surf industry

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Hurley, WSL, Florence Marine X

Books & works: Endless Summer II