EP 107 | Medina's Departure Signals a Massive Shift in Pro Surfing | Pinch My Salt

Professional surfing is facing serious questions after sexual assault allegations involving World Surf League (WSL) surfer Alan Cleland Jr. In this episode of the Pinch My Salt Podcast, pro surfer Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan discuss the allegations, Alan Cleland Jr.'s reported suspension, surf industry accountability, the culture surrounding professional surfing, and the responsibility of major surf brands, sponsors, photographers, and the WSL to protect young surfers.

Surfing legend Benji Weatherley joins Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan on the Pinch My Salt Podcast for one of our wildest episodes yet. From Kelly Slater and the Momentum Generation to Blink-182, Tom Curren, Shane Dorian, and the legendary lost surf movie Pickled, Benji tells unbelievable stories from the golden era of professional surfing.Known for his unforgettable appearances in Taylor Steele surf films, his friendship with Kelly Slater, inspiring Blink-182's hit song "Mutt," and his role in surf culture classics like Drive Thru, Benji Weatherley helped shape the personality of 1990s and early 2000s surfing.In this hilarious and completely unfiltered surf podcast, Benji talks about Kelly Slater stealing girlfriends, the rise of the Momentum Generation, the hidden story behind Billabong's Pickled surf movie, his wild surf trips with Tom Curren, and why the WSL dropped him from a Drive Thru project.We also dive into professional surfing, the surf industry, surf sponsorships, Jack Johnson, Donovan Frankenreiter, Kalani Robb, Joel Parkinson, and what life was really like behind the scenes during surfing's most iconic era.THIS WEEK ON PINCH MY SALT:🏄 Kelly Slater Stories — Benji talks about growing up around Kelly Slater, their friendship, rivalries, and the hilarious stories that never made it into the surf magazines.🎬 The Lost Surf Film PICKLED — What really happened to Benji Weatherley's legendary Billabong surf movie? Benji reveals the outrageous St. Barts trips, Tom Curren stories, the massive budget, and why the film nearly disappeared.🎸 Blink-182 and "Mutt" — Benji explains his famous nickname, his connection to Blink-182, and how he became part of punk rock and surf culture history.🌊 The Momentum Generation — Growing up alongside Kelly Slater, Shane Dorian, Rob Machado, and the surfers who transformed professional surfing forever.🍻 Life as a Sponsored Pro Surfer — From Billabong and Bud Light to endless East Coast surf tours, Benji reveals what being a professional freesurfer was really like.🚫 Benji vs. the WSL — Benji shares his side of the story about getting removed from a Drive Thru project after a controversial Zoom meeting.😂 The Funniest Guy in Surfing? — Benji goes completely off the rails, roasts the hosts, and proves why he's one of surfing's most unforgettable personalities.If you grew up watching Taylor Steele movies, following the Momentum Generation, listening to Blink-182, reading SURFER Magazine, or watching Drive Thru, this episode is for you.Pinch My Salt is a comedy surf podcast hosted by professional surfer Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan. We talk surfing, surf culture, professional surfers, surf industry drama, nostalgia, music, and everything ridiculous about life.SUBSCRIBE for new episodes, legendary surfing guests, behind-the-scenes surf stories, and completely unnecessary conversations.Drop a comment: What's your favorite Benji Weatherley moment, and have you ever seen the lost surf movie Pickled?#BenjiWeatherley #KellySlater #PinchMySalt #Surfing #SurfPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did Surfline, surf cams and modern surf forecasting ruin surfing? Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan break down what’s changed about surf culture, why Surfline cameras may have killed part of the mystery of finding waves, the loss of old-school surf knowledge, soft top surfers, crowded lineups, Magicseaweed, local surf culture, surf forecasting, waterman skills and the difference between people who surf and people who actually live surfing.

Dane Reynolds is on the hot seat as Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan break down Dane Reynolds, Kelly Slater, Jack Johnson, the modern surf industry, WSL surf culture, pro surfing, surf history, Shakas, sandals, flip-flops, and what happened to the culture of surfing. Is Dane Reynolds responsible for changing what was “cool” in surfing? Did the surf industry abandon its Hawaiian roots? And is Kelly Slater officially surfing like Kelly Slater again?

This week on Pinch My Salt, pro surfer Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan dive into surfing, surf culture, professional surfing, WSL, Kelly Slater, John John Florence, Jordy Smith, Jamie O’Brien, Gabriel Medina, Filipe Toledo, Jack Johnson, Tom Curren, Taj Burrow, Dane Reynolds, surf history, surf clips, surf movies, surf training, longboarding, skimboarding, surf coaching, barrels, airs, carves, big-wave surfing, Pipeline, Hawaii surfing, surf contests, surf style, and the greatest surfers of all time.