Crest Surfcast

With the European QS season wrapped up, and the ISA Worlds behind us too, Wales' top pro surfer PLD joins Tom and Sindia. A year of two halves, PLD gives us a frank assessment of his competitive goals, as well as a look at who else is worth a watch from the UK and Euro roster. Where did everyone surf during the named storms we've had so far? Clue - PLDs story links to the previous topic, and that crazy event in Pantin. There's also a bit more on fins, and a debate about where the ideal winter surf destination should be...Produced by James DoddArtwork by GS Design CoMusic Copyright James Dodd 2025

The newly crowned open men's and open women's Welsh champions, Eli Perrins-Davies and Emily Williams, sit down with Tom for a run-through of the event, and of what the wins mean for their surfing careers. Also featuring Sindia Sosdian's perspective on the tight finish from the women's open final, and a full run-down of the rest of the results.Produced by James DoddArtwork by GS Design CoMusic Copyright James Dodd 2025

Plenty to talk over, whatever the waves have been doing! Logan Nicol joins Tom for an update on the Wilkinson Sword, held in Fresh West last month, as well as mulling over the upcoming final event of the European QS tour, the Caparica Pro, and Patrick Langdon-Dark's chances there. Besides that, of course, is a little update on the surf diaries so far, and then some advice on fin setups - a topic we've been asked to cover many times, and are promising to revisit in more detail soon. We just need some waves to try it all out in now...Produced by James DoddArtwork by Weareturbopixel.comMusic Copyright James Dodd 2024

We had to drop at least once before 2024 was done, didn't we? Our excuse is we kept waiting for the Welsh to run... but then it did, so here we are. We've got the exclusive first interviews from both Mens and Womens winners Logan and Josie, as well as a 'best bits' file of Greg Owen's commentary. Tom debates with studio guests Sindia Sosdian and Logan whether summer or winter is the better proposition for a Welsh surfer, and since all three keep surf diaries we've also got a bit of discussion on that, too. How many surfs are you on for in 2024? And are you going to set a 2025 target? Let us know via the usual methods.Produced by James DoddArtwork by GS Design CoMusic Copyright James Dodd 2024With thanks to the WSF for audio clips from the live feed

Who in Wales doesn't miss the Rhines? Of course, it was only a matter of time before Crest and Welsh Surfing legend James Rhino Thomas appeared on our bandwidth again - and this time it's from New Zealand, his new place of abode. Following a late arrival, as Rob had to finish his Cricket Club's AGM first, he and Tom ask Rhines about all the important things; how is the surf, what's the weather like, was John-John Florence really that good in real life? This is a great tale of ongoing adventure, and we're stoked to hear that the family's new set-up is going well. What better way to put together a Christmas episode than by talking to someone who's right in the best days of their summer? (Information about how to emigrate appears at the end of the show...)Produced by James DoddArtwork by GS Design CoMusic Copyright James Dodd 2020

We formed this podcast to chat with legends, and here they are! To celebrate the WSF turning 50 this year, Crest has pulled together quite a guest list. Mark Vaughan and James Jones have joined Tom and Rob on the couch, alongside none other than Linda Sharp and Herbi aka Huw John. These guys pretty much are the WSF over the past few decades, and once again, Linda's encyclopedic knowledge of Welsh, European and World surf culture is as expansive as it gets. Flanked by the storytelling of Herbi, it's quite an experience to chat to the pair together. When we did a Surveymonkey of who'd you'd most like to hear from back in 2020, Herbi was one of the most suggested names. So, here it is. You want legends... We give you legends...Produced by James DoddMusic Copyright James Dodd 2023Artwork by GS Design Co

For most of Wales' sixty-plus years of surf culture, the idea we could have a world champion was beyond improbable. Not any more. Last winter, at Pismo Beach, California, Llywelyn 'Sponge' Williams broke the best record of them all - the first ever Welsh world surfing champion. This is an incredible tale, from the beaches and points of the Llŷn Peninsula to touring the world, and could it even one-day lead to an appearance at the Paralympics for this tiny surfing nation? Hear Llywelyn tell all in this moving interview with Tom and the WSF's Steve White.Produced by James Dodd & Tom AndersonArtwork by GS Design CoMusic Copyright James Dodd 2023

Charger, style-master, Olympian and current European Number One... could there be a better start to our fourth season? On the morning of the final (Boardmasters), Tom and Millie Phillips sat down with the defending event champ, Portugal's rising star Yolanda Hopkins. Yolanda has been a popular figure on the QS in recent years, as well as qualifying for the Toyko Olympics in style. She has already more than made a mark against the biggest in the game - including beating Carissa Moore earlier this year as a WCT wildcard in Peniche. And did you know her mother was from Bridgend? Of course you did! This episode also includes an update on the Welsh and British surfers' QS situations at the end of the first four events of the European calendar.Produced by James DoddArtwork by GS Design CoMusic Copyright James Dodd 2023

It's here! Season 4 is go, and it's kicking off with Rob and Tom's analysis of the 2023 Welsh. Held over the Mayday weekend, it turned into a real showcase of the state of Wales' surfing, and our presenters should know, having watched just about every heat as our team helped run the webcast with Camera Anchor (a.k.a. Craig Nicol). This full breakdown includes a comprehensive list of results, scores, anecdotes and interviews with Josie Hawke, Emily Williams, Patrick Langdon-Dark, Tom Fisher and Mark Vaughan.Produced by James DoddMusic Copyright James Dodd 2022

The latest on Llewelyn 'Sponge' Williams' win at the World Games - a first in Welsh Surfing. Then we have a run-through with Producer Dodd and Tom of some of the last two seasons' guests' favourite memories of Christmas surfs. Plus, will there be a wave on Christmas Day? Or is it too early to tell...Produced by James DoddArtwork by GS Design CoMusic Copyright James Dodd 2020

The Season Three finale sees us chat to a very special person in Welsh and British surfing. John Purton has been shaping surfboards seriously for some half a century, and in that time has met, known and worked with some of the top athletes these shores have known. Involved from the first moments of the UK surf industry, we hear about the various labels JP has shaped under, and the characters and capers that have come along through a lifetime of surfing and shaping. As Rhino is moving to New Zealand, this episode doubles up as a special send-off for him - JP is one of the figures he has most wanted to sit down with for a podcast. To mark the special occasion, Camera Anchor Craig Nicol has worked with us to come up with a video edition if you're using YouTube. Thanks to all our 2022 listeners and see you again in Spring 2023!Video Produced and Directed by Camera AnchorAudio Episode Produced by James DoddMusic Copyright James Dodd 2022

With more heat than ever on governments' approaches to clean oceans, sewage discharge, sustainability and plastic reduction, we catch up with one of the shining lights of surfing's ecological movements. Hugo Tagholm has decades of experience trying to hold power to account on behalf of the environment. Right as the SAS Safer Seas and Rivers app was in most headline bulletins for exposing the extent to which water companies actually use loopholes to pollute, Hugo spoke extenisvely with Rob and Tom (who'd also been asked to speak to the BBC the day before about the same story). Listen as Hugo reminisces about the history of the iconic organisation that is Surfers Against Sewage, his life in campaigning and what surfers can do to contribute to the crucial causes on which our oceans survival may depend. And, the question on every Welsh surfer's lips... when is the legendary Toxic Trophy contest making a comeback to Langland Bay?Produced by James Dodd.Artwork by GS Design Co.Music Copyright James Dodd 2022.

In the second of Rob and Tom's dispatches while on WSL duty in Newquay, this is a celebration of a range of voices from the UK junior scene. During the Havianas Junior Open, beach marshall Tim Pitt let Crest run a pop-up interview station during Rounds One and Two of the boys' event, through which they managed to get the thoughts of a range of the competitors, including the eventual boys winner Jay Phipps and his father, shaper Mark Phipps. (The Havianas Junior Girls Open was won for the second year running by Gower's Alys Barton, who was interviewed as part of the live broadcast released last week.) Full list of interviewees are tagged in the Instagram post to accompany release. This episode also includes a studio-based update on how the Brits are standing in the European QS rankings after the 3000 event in Anglet, with the help of Logan Nicol, as well as a quick preview of his and others' upcoming trip to the Worlds in Huntington Beach later this month.Produced by James Dodd & Tom AndersonArtwork by GS Design CoMusic Copyright James Dodd 2022Episode recorded with thanks to Tim Pitt, Pauly Jefferey and the rest of the Boardmasters directing team.

Having annoyed ears around Wales for decades, Rob and Tom were both fortunate to finally make their debuts as WSL rent-a-gobs last week at this year‘s Newquay Boardmasters Surfing Festival, after the event was given QS status again. A fitting fiftieth episode has emerged; a special Crest live which Rob did on Saturday afternoon, with the help of Callum Thomas, while the juniors were on hold for a few hours. This is a series of quickfire interviews which went out to the beach crowd, with a huge range of characters who were on hand in the competitors' area. We have simply uploaded the whole broadcast here, but if you want to pick out specific guests they are time-stamped in the show notes below. There will be another Boardmasters special to follow for September's First Tuesday's episode, featuring a huge list of UK juniors and a round-up of where the British Isles' surfers are sitting after the big three summer QS events. In the meantime, enjoy these candid chats with the following guests, for whose time we are eternally grateful:Gearoid McDaid - 2:22Sam Hearn - 8:45Alys Barton - 16:29Joel Gray - 22:24Ben Skinner - 29:36Lauren Sandland - 40:17Mark Boyd - 45:41Phil Williams - 52:27PLD & Logan Nicol - 1,03:00Kerry Powell - 1,16:18Gabe Llewellyn - 1,23:28Eva Blackford & Lila Skinner - 1,29:24Tegan Blackford - 1,34:07David Nankivell - 1,36:22Produced by Tom Anderson & James DoddArtwork by GS Design CoMusic copyright James Dodd 2022

In the summer of 2020 we had the pleasure of talking to Mark Schofield for a whole evening, covering his surfing life and his views on just about everything else we could think of. In March of this year, we sadly lost this colossus of the Welsh surfing community. This is a re-cut of the conversation we had with Schof back then, and a chance for us all to both enjoy his voice, and to feel the pain of losing this exceptional figure. There will be a paddle-out when those closest are ready, and Crest will of course share the info once we know. In the meantime, here is the man revisited, with love and gratitude to the Schofield family, forever in the hearts and minds of all the surfers who knew the legend that was Mark.

It has to be the coolest moniker in surfing – Wavemaker. Nick Hounsfield is best known for being the person who brought surf stoke to the inland flats of northern Bristol. In one of The Wave's fabulous glamping pods, Tom and Emily caught up with the man who took the place from inception to conception. What made Nick one day wake up and decide he wanted to undertake such an ambitious project? What was it like showing these plans to the planning inspector who didn't surf? And how does he feel when that blue, almond-shaped barrel reels off with a stoked customer sitting on its foamball? Besides this, we also hear about Nick's surfing values and journey, as well as a general celebration of a place that has become one of England's outstanding surf zones.Produced by James DoddArtwork by GS Design CoMusic Copyright James Dodd 2022

An exciting adjustment to the promised schedule for this month, as for the first time since Carwyn Williams (we believe, at least) Wales is home to Britain's top ranked pro surfer. In case you didn't know, Pat Langdon-Dark is a young Gower goofyfoot who finished the year 13th on the WSL Europe leaderboard. It seems the prospect of a British, and indeed Welsh, surfer making it to some of the biggest events in the sport are very much alive. While popping into Porthcawl to watch the BLU contest, Pat sat down with Tom and Rhino to talk about his approaches, his plans and his response to the narrowest of narrow misses for a Challenger Series berth (so narrow that even the WSL posted he'd made it at one point!). Whether shredding Europe's beachbreaks, touring the motherland for new spots or charging the frigid slabs of the northern nations, Pat loves it all. Stand by for an extraordinary chat of stoke, technique and mindset.Produced by James Dodd & Tom AndersonArtwork by GS Design CoMusic Copyright James Dodd 2022

Besides being one of the best surfers this land has known, Jamie Bateman has recently become Surfline's chief forecaster for the UK and Ireland. He's long been one of the most interesting guys you could sit down with for a chat about the ocean and its ways, but now he's officially employed in that capacity. In another video edition episode (thanks to Craig at Camera Anchor if you head to our YouTube page), Tom and Vaughanie catch up with Bateman to find out about his unique surfer's journey. Besides the mishaps and the accolades that make Jamie the legend he is, there's also a chance to find out how a Surfline forecaster goes about their business - well, the stuff they can tell us at least. Lots of lesser known facts about one of our favourite style masters, but will he answer Vaughanie's most important question of all: what's the surf like in...?Produced by James Dodd, Mark Vaughan & Tom AndersonVideo edition directed and edited by Craig NicolMusic copyright James Dodd 2022

Founded off the back of a skate ramp made from stolen ply, the Langland Board Riders is now one of the most dominant forces in Welsh surfing. Having fostered some of our greatest past and present surfers, this is an organisation which taps into one of the land's best known surf communities. Joined by a panel of LBR stalwarts, we talk history, culture, localism, the Mun, iconic events like the Toxic Trophy, Derek Hynd's Red Bull tours and the Seeded Open - as well as how not to get into Cinderellas for free if your name is Nick Swinnerton (when the place existed, and Swinno lived in Wales, of course). There's also a chat with teen shredder Alys Barton before she left for QS duty, and a preview of the upcoming Wilkinson Sword, which of course is currently held by the LBR. Panelists: Si Page, Ian 'Tomsk' Thomson, Matt 'Spud' Stephen, Sam Johnson & Ed Bresnan. Hosted by Tom Anderson.Produced by James DoddArtwork by GS Design CoMusic Copyright James Dodd 2021

To finish our 2021 Season, here's the second instalment of The Gill's life story. What was it like to discover some of Northern Europe's most iconic spots? What about the process of sharing those finds? Tom and Rob hear all about these moments, as well as tales from Ireland and Wales - not to mention a life-changing trip to Mauritius and of course his long-standing personal friendship with none other than Da Cat, Miki Dora. And would a season finale be complete without a final surf travel nightmare? Another Indonesian horror-show courtesy of listener George Clarke!Produced by James Dodd & Tom AndersonVideo edition directed, filmed & edited by Camera Anchor, Craig NicolWith special thanks to Sarah GillCREST PODCAST 2021 SEASON Series hosts: Tom Anderson, James ‘Rhino’ Thomas, Rob Blythe, Elliot Dudley, James Dodd, Mark VaughanPundits: Emily Williams, Chris FowlerWith thanks to our 2021 guests: Luke Cromwell (PhotoBossBali), Jenny Jones, Jem Evans, Al Mennie, Frankie Pioli, Harry Cromwell, Logan Nicol, Patrick Langdon-Dark, Linda Sharp, David TC Davies MP, Mack Jenkins, Llewellyn Whittaker, Brad Gerlach, Greg Owen, Anna-Rose Merchant, Blake Jones, Buzzy Kerbox, Adz Lison (The Grumpy Surfer), Callum Thomas, Gabe Davies, The Gill Crest is thankful for the support of: Elusive Clothing, Obsessive Disorder, No Limit Wetsuits, Full Charge, WSF Surf School, Waveki, The Welsh Surfing Federation, Anne Gallagher, Breige Lawrence, George Schofield, The Wave Bristol Music: Main theme tunes, Punks of Harlech, Rastas of Harlech, Floyd of Harlech and acoustic versions arranged, performed and recorded by James Dodd (Copyright 2021)Video Production for Episodes 32 & 33: Martin JohnVideo Production for Episodes 43 & 44: Camera Anchor, Craig NicolSeries Artwork: GS Design CompanySeries Scripts & Research: Tom AndersonScript Advice & Research: James ‘Rhino’ Thomas, Mark Vaughan Series Producer: James DoddThanks again to EVERYONE who's listened to our shows this year and see you in 2022!