The Drop

Tya Zebrowski recently became the youngest-ever CT qualifier at 14 years old. But just quietly, another surfer is on track to become the oldest CT qualifier in the same graduating class. By all accounts, a far more impressive achievement. Also this week: Mikey and Buck rank the greatest surf towns, steal leashes, get up & stand for Jamaican beach rights, and a whole lot more. VEIA GIVEAWAY Do you live in Europe, and want to win a Veia leash or a Stab towel? Send a picture of your worst surf rash (or any rash really) to buck@stabmag.com.

That's a wrap for Stab High Sydney. If you live under a state-imposed media blackout: Joel Vaughan and Sierra Kerr took out the Men's and Women's divisions on their very last waves, while Skai Suitt and Loci Cullen won the Ladybirds and Bottle Rockets. World champ Yago Dora owned the Monster Air for a massive late spin. Mikey and Buck break down the event and some BTS moments fresh out of a deranged after party.

Yago Dora joins our little pool party alongside fellow world champ Molly Picklum to face off against the reigning Stab High Champs Hughie Vaughan and Sierra Kerr. Mikey C and Stace provide White Claw-fueled insight and some sneaky picks from our practice day.

We're currently en route to Sydney for our first-ever Stab High on native soil. We'll be at URBNsurf Sydney on October 10th and 11th, so join us if you're around — all info (including tickets) here: https://stabmag.com/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-stab-high-sydney-2025-presented-by-monster-energy/ The current women's world champ is already locked in to battle against reigning Stab High champ Sierra Kerr (+ Mill Coco Brown, Sky Brown and Bella Kenworthy), and there are whispers of another recent world champ joining us on the men's side. Have a listen and see if you can figure out who. Buck and Mikey also discuss some recently completed events: EAST Fest, Stab Con and Quik Fest 2025, as well as some surf news. Namely: Nate Florence signed by Red Bull, why Soli Bailey has been out of the water for nine months, and how OnlyFans has been quietly funding surf careers. Link for 15% off Living in Sunshine products: LivinginSunshine.com/stab

Surf100 California x Pacifico is complete, and we have a (somewhat) controversial winner — at least if you ask Kelly Slater (nobody did, but he gave us his thoughts anyway). What's not controversial is that Mike Stewart is one of (if not THE) greatest waveriders in human history, so Mikey and Buck break down some of his career feats tube theories. There are also two major sponsor updates this week: Chippa Wilson leaving his 10-year partnership with Brixton for an Italian wingbat brand, and ANOTHER surfer being signed by Nike. Buck also gives us a live report from the Quik Fest in France, where partying is obligatory and tops are optional. Link for 15% off LISS products: LivinginSunshine.com/stab

We finally got the GOAT. What does he really think about the modern state of surfing — you're about to find out. But first, this week's surf news with Mikey and Buck.

Bula vinaka from Tavarua Island, where we just finished interviewing the 2025 world champions of surfing — Yago Dora and Molly Picklum. You'll hear that toward the end of the pod, but first, Stace G and Mikey C dissect their very different views of Finals day in Fiji, including peak performances and surprise letdowns.

Better late than never! Joey T, Vaughan, and Ron join Mikey C on the sand to discuss warm-up sessions and hot tips from Tavarua Island. Sparknotes: Dogs: Italo and Caroline Faves: Yago and Molly

Live from Tavarua, we chat with the most prolific shaper in the WSL Finals (by a longshot) — Matt Biolos is peddling foam to Griffin, Caroline, Gabby, Bettylou and Yago Dora, all of whom are in with a shot for a world title this week.

Stab's co-founder joins The Drop to discuss a recent ep of How Surfers Get Paid — including the time he saw Parko's $1.6M contract lying on a table, when Andy yelled at him for simply riding a wave, and all about Twiggy's new Rip Curl deal at 52. Also... Stab Audience survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FJD5WW9 HSGP S2E8: https://stabmag.com/stabcinema/how-surfers-get-paid-season-2-episode-8/ Stab premium annual 20% promo code (1 week only): negotiators Use it here: https://stabmag.com/get-stab-premium/

Your first Surf100 presented by Pacifico $100k finalist, for one. But Sebastian's story goes far beyond his recent competitive triumphs, as Mikey and Buck discuss in this ep of The Drop. A prodigious talent from youth, it's possible that Seb's ability (and attitude) got in the way of his success. Thankfully, he seems to have grown past this stage and is moving forward with a new, selfless mindset. Also in this ep: Surfing cheat codes from Mason Ho, a major foam dilemma, a 10-year-old that can outsurf Mikey C, whale pirates and more. Psssst, get tickets to EAST Fest here: https://stabmag.com/features/east-fest-palm-springs-tickets/ Take the Stab Audience Survey here: https://stabmag.com/news/take-stabs-2025-audience-survey-win-a-new-surfboard-kit/ Submit proof of Medina's air at Steamer lane to: michael@stabmag.com

The WSL regular season goes out with a full fireworks display... or is that just Jordy Maree's apartment after another blackjack win? It was a strange but enthralling week of surfing — let's discuss with Mikey, Stace, Buck and special guest Snake Paterson.

MEGA POD ALERT! Stace Galbraith joins us from the Teahupo'o channel with a cameo from Eimeo Czermak and analysis of the top CTers warming up for the 2025 Tahiti Pro. Later, we hear from Tom De Souza on the ground in Bali, where the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang just concluded in spectacular fashion (just ask the local acai lady). Finally, Mikey and Buck break down the most exciting surf event of the week (year), the US Open of Surfing, where Jadson Andre placed a respectable yet contentious 17th. PS, here's a little look at our Final 5 math, in case you want to impress the prettiest girl in the lineup (she totally cares!): https://stabmag.com/news/so-whos-gonna-make-the-final-five/

Is Matt Biolos about to become the richest man in surfing? That's a question for a California federal court, which is currently processing a lawsuit he's submitted over Lady Gaga's use of 'Mayhem' on her global tour merch. We got a hold of this leaked document and dissected its arguments — to our eye, the case seems rather strong. And if Lost wins the suit, they could be in for a substantial payday. In other news, crocodiles are taking over Indonesian surf breaks, the Balinese government is tearing down decades-old local businesses in front of marquee surf breaks, there's a new Octo film, an episode of How Surfers Get Paid, and Buck broke his leash. Let's drop in!

Against all things holy, the last men standing at Jeffrey's rode with their right foot forward. How did it happen, and what does it mean for the world title? Mikey and Buck break it all down, including the new WSL Finals rules and our best betonline.ag dog of the season. Then the boys delve into the news: a fantastic new surf law in the Philippines, a youth film that shattered pro surfer dreams, and why Florence (the brand) is attracting so many big-name investors in the surf industry. Finally, to quell the masses, the boys release the Epokhe files.

This week we hear from Teva Dexter, the man behind the enigmatic yet engaging Blak Bear Surf Club — including the origin of the name and where his traction cult is heading. We also discuss the best edit of the year (and some existential questions) from LOB, why Dane's surfboard got roasted on Surf100 presented by Pacifico, and the best 16-year-old surfer on earth according to Craig Anderson.

Judging a subjective sport is objectively impossible. Humans are always gonna get it wrong — at least in somebody's eyes. But what if there was a *slightly* better way to approach surf judging than they way we've done the past 30 years... would we even entertain an alternative? In this episode of The Drop, Mikey C proposes a subtle amendment to the current system, while Stace G thinks we should napalm the whole thing and start from scratch. Meanwhile, the 9th CT event of the season kicks off at Jeffrey's Bay this weekend, and the forecast is mouth-watering. Picks and predictions inside — place your bets on betonline.ag.

This week's headline: Big Dick Power Surfing goes golfing. Also in this ep, Mikey and Stace chat Brazil results and Final-5 implications. Then Buck joins to chat Laird, wavepools, eye trauma and swing tips.

Somebody did the best air ever in a wavepool this week — but who was it? Live from Texas, Buck gives us insights from the recent Swatch Nines event that saw Hughie Vaughan and Matt Meola do the (previously) impossible on a surfboard. A judging committee then decided which corked-out stalefish rotation was best and — spoiler alert — they got it woefully wrong. ...Or did they? Mikey and Buck also discuss a misunderstood creature trawling our lineups, known as the German surfer, and how Jordy Smith became the world #1 surfer at 37. Let's drop in.

This was meant to be a half-hour interview with Caity Simmers about her new film Milk & Honey— it turned into a 90-minute cosmic swirl on surfing, individuality, and life. Please enjoy the reigning world champ in her raw, unfiltered film.