Feeling For The Light with James Katsipis

On a bright sunny day at Gilgo Beach in 1963, a 13 year old Tony Caramonico remembers paddling out and catching the white water as the wave broke behind him. The unparalleled sensation of riding his first wave ushered in a sense of purpose and destiny. Surfing would be his North Star. A lot of people were surfers at the time and life got in the way for many of them. Tony was damn hell sure  life would not get in his way.  What would follow is a life filled with enough adventure and incredible waves to fill 10 lifetimes. Surfing has been his singular obsession for over 60 years. Tony is a legend among legends. An East Coast Hall of Famer, a 2x Greg Noll Da bull invitational champion, and became a pro surfer when others his age were giving up surfing.Beyond his surfing, Tony kept journals with collages, stories, and scraps for every day for decades. These creations have become a kaleidoscopic chronicle of his search for the perfect wave, from Montauk to Hawaii, South Africa to the Caribbean, and Indonesia to Japan. Eventually Tony transitioned to a respected artist with numerous shows and prints of his work. His latest book by Damiani, 'Montauk Surf Journals' presents a stunning selection of Tony’s art representing his 60 years in and around surfing. The book takes readers on Tony’s journey through surfing as the world progresses through four decades of immense change. From his first wave in 1963, to living and working with Peter Beard at his home in Montauk, and endless days of perfect waves, Tony's unique, colorful visions shine through on the page.We are incredibly stoked to have Tony on as our guest for this episode of the Swell Season Surf Podcast. To Purchase Tony's Book, Montauk Surf Journals, go to: www.damianibooks.comYou can Follow Tony Caramanico on Instagram @TCMontaukThe Swell Season Surf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. For more information, you can follow @swellseasonsurfradio on Instagram or go to our website: www.swellseasonsurf.com Music: Song: Almost Cut My HairArtist: Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungAlbum: Deja VuBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/swell-season--3483504/support.

James Katsipis is a Montauk-born artist, known for his exceptional ocean photography and stunning visual art. Over two decades ago, Katsipis began traveling around the world shooting and exploring distant shores as an adventure and surf photographer. Growing up in and around the ocean is the natural theme and influence throughout his portfolio. Today, as a fine art photographer and in-demand commissionable artist, James’s work is featured in fine art galleries, campaigns, books and magazines worldwide.He has recently opened his own gallery in Montauk and it’s absolutely beautiful. James has evolved and grown as a person over the years. He’s really come into his own and has had to overcome some large obstacles along the way. He’s humble, smart, emotionally aware and one of our favorite interviews. We were recently in Montauk the week he opened his gallery. What follows is an in depth conversation with someone who has made many strides to get where he is and now feels comfortable in his own skin. Our conversation wanders from his evolving attitude over the recent popularity of his home town, to his technique and how he handles the ups and down of life. We are really stoked to present to you our conversation with James Katsipis. Enjoy… For more information on James's work go to www.jameskatsipis.comYou can Follow James Katsipis on Instagram @letstaukgramsThe Swell Season Surf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. For more information, you can follow @swellseasonsurfradio on Instagram or go to our website: www.swellseasonsurf.com Music: Song:Touch of GreyArtist: The Grateful DeadAlbum: The Very Best of Grateful Dead00:00 Introduction to the Swell Season Surf Podcast00:09 James Katsipis: The Journey of an Ocean Photographer00:48 Opening a Gallery in Montauk00:54 A Personal Connection with James01:27 The Evolution of Montauk and Localism02:33 Cherishing Montauk: The Art Show04:35 Montauk's Artistic Legacy and Community08:00 Balancing Change and Tradition25:58 Chasing Light: The Art of Photography38:09 Family Background and Early Life39:03 Struggles with Family Expectations40:53 Pursuing Photography43:04 The Mermaid Series45:25 Challenges and Success in Photography01:01:28 Mental Health and Personal Growth01:08:28 Overcoming Addiction01:12:25 Reflecting on Childhood Bullying01:13:23 Embracing Individuality and Defiance01:14:51 Navigating Criticism and Success01:17:01 Adventures and Near-Death Experiences01:21:02 Passion for Film Photography01:28:15 Opening a Physical Gallery Space01:36:56 Community and Collaboration01:43:18 Shoutouts and Final ThoughtsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/swell-season--3483504/support.

Jesse Faen is an Australian-born wanderer who’s been surfing for the past four decades and is now a dedicated kite, wing, and foil enthusiast. Jesse’s been around the block when it comes to the surf industry, working as an editor for Waves Magazine in Australia and Surfing Magazine in the US before working as the media director for the ASP (now WSL) where he traveled the world writing about the tour for a decade. Since then, Jesse has settled in LA where he ran the Insight clothing brand for six-plus years. He currently coaches surfing, and volunteers as a surf therapist with A Walk On Water, an organization that has had a huge impact on a number of lives. On this episode of the Swell Season Surf Podcast, Jesse discusses his dedication to surf therapy, sharing its profound effects on participants and volunteers alike, and talks about his personal growth, sobriety, and the evolving surf culture. Above all, Jesse's story is one of aligning life with his surfing passion and community support. We hope you enjoy… For more information A Walk On Water, go to www.awalkonwater.orgYou can Follow Jesse Faen on Instagram @jessefaenThe Swell Season Surf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. For more information, you can follow @swellseasonsurfradio on Instagram or go to our website: www.swellseasonsurf.com Music: Song: Walk On The OceanArtist: Toad The Wet SprocketAlbum: FearBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/swell-season--3483504/support.

Finisterre which in latin: finis terrae; means 'end of the earth'. Is a brand that exists first and foremost to meet the needs of the cold water surfer both in and out of the water. People like to call them the UK version of  Patagonia but, I’d wager founder Tom Kay must have mixed feelings about those comparisons. To be compared to an industry leader can be flattering but, I imagine Tom believes that they have their own unique voice and story to tell that can differentiate the two.Tom Kay, the driving force behind Finisterre has been at the game for over 20 years, slowly building a great reputation for quality products that are sustainably minded. The brand has gained a cult following amongst surfers worldwide who I suspect feel underrepresented in the larger surf culture. Tom and his team are currently poised to make big moves in the coming years that will help to drive the surf world to think more sustainably.I was fortunate enough to have met Tom late last year at an event at their beautiful store in London through my mate Matt Bar of the Looking Sideways Podcast. Tom was extremely friendly and engaging. You could tell this was a very sharp but passionate person. Unfortunately, I had to leave shortly after meeting Tom but the few minutes I got to speak  with him, I felt like I could talk to him all night. I decided I needed to have him on the show. I’m excited  because we are fortunate enough to have Tom as our guest on this episode of the Swell Season Surf Podcast. For more information on Finisterre, you can go to www.finisterre.com or follow them on instagram @finisterreThe Swell Season Surf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. For more information, you can follow @swellseasonsurfradio on Instagram or go to our website: www.swellseasonsurf.com Music: Song: Cornwall My HomeArtist: One & AllAlbum: Fisherman's FriendBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/swell-season--3483504/support.

Nick Hounsfield was introduced to surfing by his father Brian in the mid 1970s on his regular visits to Cornwall in the United Kingdom. He has been an avid surfer ever since.Nick became an Osteopath by trade and founded a successful family business with this wife.But as time wore on and when Nick’s father passed away in the late 2000’s, he started to think about the world a little differently. He began to think about open spaces in nature and the healing aspects of engaging and being in nature. He started to realize that a lot of people's poor health was due to a number of things such as not exercising, not eating well, lack of connection to others, lack of nature connectedness  and so on…He set about trying to pull these different factors together and look at how he could solve some of these issues through one holistic vision. By chance this was around the same time that Wavegarden released a video of their first technology which would bring waves inland, for the first time.Nick had a eureka moment. And this was the start of his mythological quest to bring his concept of The Wave to the United Kingdom. It’s been a long journey for Nick, which involves every obstacle you can think of on his way to realizing his vision. Fundraising, permits, Global Pandemic, shaky economy, Brexit, and a stroke. But, Nick persevered and has succeeded in realizing his vision and pioneered a new business model while minimizing its environmental impact and offering an exceptional surf experience with a safe, inclusive space for all surfers. We think you are going to really enjoy this episode. Thank you for listening… For more information on The Wave you can go to www.thewave.com You can also follow Nick on Instagram at @wavemakernickThe Swell Season Surf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. For more information, you can follow @swellseasonsurfradio on Instagram or go to our website: www.swellseasonsurf.com Music: Song: WavesArtist: Sleeper AgentAlbum: About Last NightBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/swell-season--3483504/support.

Often overlooked for the warmer waters of its Hawaiian and Californian counterparts, the Atlantic coast of New Jersey has been home to surfing for 135 years, and in turn has held unsung influence over the history of the sport in America. -   Danny DiMauro and Johan Kugelberg. Our Guests today are the contributors to the latest book from Rizzoli Publishing aptly names: I Heard There Were No Waves in New Jersey: Surfing on the Jersey Shore 1888-1984”. It's a beautiful book and tribute to New Jersey Surfing.Our guests for this episode is one of the editors and former guest, Danny DiMauro. We also introduce New Jersey surf legend,  and infamous Surf Industry Sales Rep, Mark Neustadter. We also have former Atlantic City Heavy, Mike May. May is a founding Member of the NJ surfing Hall of Fame and wrote the definitive story on Duke Kahanamoku protege, Sam Reid. All of them have contributed to this beautiful book. Drawing upon archives of photographs and ephemera from private collections, and from those held in the New Jersey Surf Museum and New Jersey Surfing Hall of Fame, this book is a celebration of East Coast surfing, from its pioneering beginnings at the end of the nineteenth century to its heyday in the 1980s as the scene converged with skateboarding and a shared influence on street style.It featured insightful texts that illuminate previously unheralded moments in the evolution of the sport, the book not only introduces some of the greatest unseen surf photography of the last century but also lets the Jersey Shore take its rightful place in the history of American surfing.We hope you enjoy this episode... For more information on where to purchase the book you can go to the following link: https://www.rizzoliusa.com/book/9780847899739The Swell Season Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. www.swellseasonsurfradio.comMusic:Band: Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street BandSong: Glory DaysAlbum: Born in the USABecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/swell-season--3483504/support.

In this conversation, Kwame La Bassiere interviews Dr. Giovanni Martinez, a clinical psychologist in Puerto Rico who works with children with autism. Dr. Martinez started the organization Surf4Dem, which uses surf therapy to help children with autism improve their social communication skills, sensory processing disorders, and muscular tone.The therapy also has a positive impact on the families, as parents are encouraged to surf alongside their children. The program has been successful in providing unique therapeutic benefits and improving the overall well-being of the participants. Dr. Martinez explains the meaning behind the name Surf4Dem, which stands for Surf for the Development of Emotion and Motor Skills. The organization focuses on using surf therapy to help children with autism develop their social communication skills and improve their motor skills.Giovanni emphasizes the importance of trying new and unconventional therapies for children with autism, as different approaches may have a significant impact on their development. He also discusses the potential benefits of medical tourism, where families from other places can come to Puerto Rico for a customized surf therapy program for their children.For more information on Surf4Dem you can go to: https://www.gjcpp.org/en/ or on Instagram at @surf4demThe WeSurf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. www.swellseasonsurfradio.comFollow the WeSurf Podcast on Instagram @wesurfpodcastBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/swell-season--3483504/support.

We have a very special episode for you today. We had the good fortune to be asked to host a live Q&A with the 5x WSL Women’s World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist, Carissa Moore at PIlgrim Surf & Supply to help promote her new book with Rizzoli Publishing named Hawaii Gold. The book is stunning and is Carissa’s homage to her home islands of Hawaii. Our conversation explores her journey  as she reflects on her illustrious career, cultural roots in Hawaii, and community support through events, book launches, and advocacy work. We delve into Moore's achievements, gender equality views, mental health initiatives, and post-retirement projects, encapsulating a vivid portrayal of Moore's life beyond the waves. We hope you enjoy this very special episode of the Swell Season Podcast. For more information on Carissa's Book, Hawaii Gold, you can purchase a copy here:Hawaii GoldYou can follow Carissa here on Instagram at @rissmoore10To Learn more about the Moore Aloha Non-Profit you can go to www.moorealoha.comand follow at @moorealohaSpecial thanks to Martynka & Don from Rizzoli Books, Chris from Pilgrim Surf & Supply, & Andy Wang for the music and good vibes. The Swell Season Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. www.swellseasonsurfradio.comMusic:Band: Gabby PahinuiSong: Wahine U'iAlbum: Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band, Vol. 1Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/swell-season--3483504/support.

On this episode, we sit and talk with Stylist and Rockaway resident, Jesse James.  Our conversation follows her journey from Martha's Vineyard to NYC, reflecting on the fusion of community, identity, and the dynamic blend of culture and surfing. We delve into her evolving career and how her unique style and blend of thrift store savvy helped to lead her on an unexpected path. We tackle some of her past life challenges and her fond memories of a dear friend who recently passed.  Jesse embodies some of the best qualities of surfing and community. We are stoked to have her as a guest on this episode. We hope you enjoy... For more information on Jesse, you can check out her website: www.Jessejamesstyles.com or you can follow here on Instagram at @skelly_sisterThe Swell Season Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. www.swellseasonsurfradio.comMusic:Band: Sure SureSong: This Must Be The PlaceAlbum: Sure SureBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/swell-season--3483504/support.

On this episode, Our guest John Zator and Host Tyler Breuer explore the profound impact of Lido Surf and Sport on New York's surfing scene during the mid 90's. We delve into John's journey, highlighting the shops innovative approach to building a vibrant community hub. John also reflects on his personal triumphs, health struggles, and the transformative power of surfing, emphasizing the enduring importance of community, love, and self-discovery in the face of adversity. John's influence on NY surfing cannot be understated. He helped to lay the foundation of what was to come. We hope you enjoy this special episode. The Swell Season Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. www.swellseasonsurfradio.comMusic:Band: The Grateful DeadSong: Ripple (Live)Album: ReckoningBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/swell-season--3483504/support.