JESCA MAAS -

... Some people surf and that's about it. Some surf and do other stuff as well - and then there are those who don't surf ... or haven't surfed much. But they still tap into surfing for its energy and culture. Sometimes, these latter folk understand surfers better than themselves as surfers often stand too close to the flame. Jesca is one of those that has dabbled and looks in. A creative soul that loves surfing, and not only draws from it but contributes to it. On this SURF TOWN podcast she talks about how she became the director of Noosa International Surf Film Festival, which is now in its second year. Jesca talks a little about her life which seems to have led in a roundabout way to her naturally being the heart and soul of this surf film festival. She also shares some info about this year's (2025) films and side projects. A line-up of films that look to inspire and entertain.

KIRRA MOLNAR -

... Women's longboarding today, and indeed women's all-around surfing in general, is in full flower. Its presence is marked with a style that all so often resonates with the very essence of surfing. Displaying a grace and the pure joy of simply riding a wave, women's surfing is a breath of fresh air. No surprise that it's growing world-wide and giving rise to a formidable list of rising names leading the way. One such star is Noosa's Kirra Molnar who sits down for this SURF TOWN interview that was enthused with pure stoke. Kirra loves to compete with many successes including the following: Two Logger Aussie titles, one Aussie longboard title, multiple Queensland state titles, second in New Zealand's 2024 Single Fin Mingle, first in New Zealand's West End Wiggle, Queen of The Point in the Philippines and has joined the ranks of WSL longboard competitors. Also, Kirra currently serves as President of the Noosa World Surfing Reserve - and more. Yet what stands out the most about Kirra, far above her competition record, is that she is surf-soaked through and through.

STUART CAMPBELL -

... Stuart, a well-known Noosa surfboard shaper, is Keith's guest on this episode of SURF TOWN. Stuart is a much sought-after shaper due to his reputation for well-shaped, hand-crafted, high-performance shortboards under the CAMPBELL DESIGNED label. With a deep experience as a life-long surfer, shaper and thinker Stuart brings many ideas and innovative designs to his shaping. Together with his son Ryan, (both are ex-pro surfers) Stuart invented, developed and patented a unique stringer replacement system that comprises multiple staggered layers of carbon fibre built in a leaf spring pattern which is set into the top and bottom of each board prior to glassing. This development, called EXO-FLEX TECHNOLOGY, increases performance dramatically adding a rigidity to the board that eliminates any wobble when pushed hard into a turn or ridden in large, powerful surf. Though primarily enhancing performance the EXO-FLEX stringer system also significantly strengthens surfboards, thus reducing the risk of snapping when performing high-risk maneuvers. Stuart talks extensively about his surfing life and his EXO-FLEX breakthrough during this episode of SURF TOWN.

THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV ... Story 5 - BYRON BAY PARENTS DISOWN SON FOR CHOOSING A MEDICAL CAREER OVER BECOMING A YOGA INSTRUCTOR.


... The mystery of Vladimir's whereabouts deepens into a concern. Previously, Keith had Vladimir's girlfriend Tatianna Lovesalotavic in the studio, who whilst giving assurances that Vladimir would be okay (see Story 3 -THE MERMAID'S DREAM), has now herself gone to ground somewhere deep in the South Pacific. Most likely Tahiti. However, Keith has recently been chatting with Vladimir's sister Olga, so he and his SURF TOWN tech guy Lee, phone her up for some information. But they hit a dead end. In the meantime for this podcast, Keith reads another very short, satirical story from Vladimir's and his book "THE WAYWARD SURFER."

Available on Amazon. Here's the link to order a copy:

https://www.amazon.com.au/Wayward-Surfer-Trilogy-Vols-Book-ebook/dp/B07586X5C8/ref=sr_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.feXjbz8zsWTq4-EYSbr8XcrUzQXUoE5-_vjhfMEye-bYFL28ECoNn5ZSO5ApnmpmtmJe0E293XyizJef8Z4UiA4e23zmQVOU1P5lAP420g_pfGzdCYp2D1_i5edZwmgn.IDFB6sTMdrzE5leTSk4iF9SbtjPcCkVAgJVtKZ5Lbjo&dib_tag=se&qid=1745232873&refinements=p_27%3AKeith+McMullen&s=digital-text&sr=1-4

DAVID "MEX" SUMPTER -

... Many surfers grew up virtually right on the beach, making their surfing life almost inevitable. David, and his brother Rodney, started life in England well away from any surfing scene that might have drawn them in. However due to their parents deciding to move to Australia and set up home on Sydney's northern beach suburbs, well within easy reach of the surf, they too quickly found surfing as if pre-ordained for them. Also, David was right there watching the first wave of visiting Americans riding malibu surfboards rather than the 16ft long hollow boards the Aussies were surfing. A day when modern surfboard riding was born in Australia back in the 1960's. With his father Merv working with Bob Evans to bring some structure to surfing's soon-fast growth, rubbing shoulders with Midget Farrelly, Bob McTavish, Nat Young and other emerging 'stars,' working with Tracks magazine and making the surf film "On Any Morning," David has seen the vast popularity of Australian surfing explode from the inside over the decades. Now, well into his 80's, he's still stoked on surfing and getting amongst the waves whenever he can.

THE AUDACIOUS SURF TALES OF VLADIMIR BORIS WAXANOV ... Story 4 - SEX WAX SAGA -

While the current whereabouts of Vladimir B. Waxanov remains a mystery and a concern, Keith decided to upload one of Vladimir's cheekiest short stories to keep his fun-loving spirit to the fore. As there is next to no Woke emphasis in Russia, especially Vladimir's traditional home village, he was shocked at how easily some of us Aussies are offended. Especially over what he considers to be something trivial and of no great importance. He had heard of an incident in a surf shop where a mother was angered over the surfboard wax brand name "Sex Wax", so he asked Keith to help him write up the story. During the collaboration, Vladimir lit up like a naughty schoolboy.

DISCUSSION TABLE 101. Topic: John "JC" Charlton's favourite surfers.

... JC mentioned, when he was in the studio previously, that he'd like to record an episode concerning his list of favourite surfers. So Keith invited him back to sit down for another session on SURF TOWN to discuss his list along with the question, "What is style?" - and a few other observations. It certainly was interesting. Of course, any such list is subjective. Most surfers can easily name their favourite surfers - which would swing wildly across the decades, the eras and the names. JC though has a keen eye for what is good surfing drawn from a wealth of experience as a lifetime surfer and a professional commentator on the wide world of surfing. So here he is ... JC Part 2.

JOHN 'JC' CHARLTON

JC doesn't need too big an introduction to Queensland surfers as he has been a familiar face talking about surfing on their TV screens for a very long time. But what they may not know is some of his rich back story. JC has been a surfboard maker, worked in the surfwear industry with Billabong, a radio surf reporter, chief reporter and editor of TV's ch 7 Coastalwatch in Queensland for 20 years and a surf commentator at Noosa's Festival of Surfing. With a long life of surfing behind him rubbing shoulders with some of our sport's greats, JC was a fascinating guest to interview on SURF TOWN.