Beneath the Surface

Welcome to the sixty-eighth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. In this episode, Sean Murphy, BOTE's Photography Director, hosts a compelling conversation with Skye Bailey, BOTE's Marketing Director, and Tyler Trant, BOTE's Videographer. Together they reflect on the expansion of the KULA product line and the evolution of the iconic Gatorproof video, now reaching new heights with Gatorproof 10.0. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the sixty-seventh installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast.  In this episode, Wil Beaucher, BOTE's Film Director, sits down with  Daniel Koval and Kristin Kuba, two top American freediving athletes based in Hawaii. They're deep divers heading to the top of their game with a bright future ahead of them in the competitive arena. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the sixty-sixth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. In this episode, Corey and crew sit down to recount their recent trip north to the Kentucky Adventure Trail. 4 guys. 4 bikes. 5 days. 12 total hours of sleep. 800 miles. 14 inches of rain, hail and snow. In other words, it was a "dumpster fire" as Corey recalls. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the sixty-fifth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. In this episode, Corey and the guys sit down to discuss how BOTE has harnessed the power of pressure and tamed inflation. So sit back, hangout, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the sixty-fourth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. In this episode, Corey and Sean sit down to dive into the details of BOTE's newest unique category – The Hangout Suite. A collection of eight new badass products that will revolutionize the way you and your friends hang out on the water. They discuss the inspiration, innovation, and markets that brought the Hangout Suite to life. So sit back, hangout, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the sixty-third installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. Joining us from Hawaii, Will Beaucher, BOTE's Film Director, meets with Artist, Danielle Burnside, to explore the inspiration and process behind her Abalone and seashell artwork. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the sixty-second installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. In this episode, Wil Beaucher, BOTE's Film Director, sits down with Marine Ecologist, Tristin McHugh, to discuss what's happening to the Abalone ecosystem in Northern California. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the sixty-first installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. In this episode, Corey and Rob are back on the mic to dive into the history and evolution of the Rackham Aero. Now compatible with the APEX•PD (Pedal Drive), the Rackham Aero 12'4" is a crossover paddle board/kayak hybrid. It's a big deal. And we're here to take you behind the scenes. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the sixtieth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. In this episode, Sean sits down with Rob McAbee, BOTE Creative Director, and the BOTE crew to recount behind the scenes moments from the No Quarter production. Listen to these creative minds dissect what went into the filming from concept to production, plus fun stories in-between. Pull up a seat, press play, and have a laugh.

Welcome to the fifty-ninth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. In this episode, BOTE's dynamic photography and videography duo, Sean Murphy and Tyler Trant, meet with new BOTE Ambassador and surfing legend, Juli Hernandez. They get the inside scoop on Juli's time on ABC's show, The Ultimate Surfer, plus some insight into how she discovered BOTE and her experience with inflatable SUPs. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the fifty-eighth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. In this episode, Sean is joined by a few of the BOTE crew to recount some particularly hilarious SUP camping stories. Plus, a look into how trips unfold when you're prepared vs. underprepared. Pull up a seat, press play, and have a laugh.

Welcome to the fifty-seventh installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. In this episode, BOTE's Director of Photography, Sean Murphy sits down with longtime BOTE Ambassador, Sean Strahlo, to talk all things SUP fishing. Strahlo gives us the rundown of his preferred set up for inshore vs. offshore fishing, common misconceptions, and a look into the fishing scene on the east coast of Florida. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the fifty-sixth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. In this episode, Sean sits down to talk with BOTE Ambassador, Ian Provo, and his brother Neil Provo. As all-around outdoorsmen, this duo doesn't miss a beat on land or water. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the fifty-fifth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. In this episode, Rob joins Sean and Corey to talk about fly fishing culture, SUP fly fishing and where they enjoy fly fishing. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the fifty-fourth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. In this episode, we cover SUP surfing tips, tricks, and etiquette. And of course look back on our favorite surfing spots over the years. Under the right conditions, patience and time on the water, you can learn to surf utilizing multiple boards in the BOTE line-up. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the fifty-third installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. In this edition of The Sean & Tyler Road Show, BOTE's dynamic video and photo duo travel to visit two of BOTE's newer ambassadors: Jennifer Adler and Ian Segebarth. Sean sits down with these two hardcore adventurers and explorers to learn more about how they incorporate BOTE into their lives. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the fifty-second installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. If you want the unvarnished, sometimes weird, story . . . you know our podcasts are the place to go. Corey, Sean, and Pete take you down memory lane into the history of the Darkroom. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the fifty-first installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast. From South Beach, Miami to high-grass swamp land sprinkled with alligators in the Everglades, Sean's traveling with some interesting people and stopping off to hang out with some equally interesting area residents. This week, Sean sits down with Wil Beaucher (director and producer of the Beneath The Surface video series) to revisit their time. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the fiftieth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast and a new stop on The Sean & Tyler Road Show in Fort Myers, Florida. This week, Sean sits down with our longtime BOTE Ambassador, Drew Chicone, an author, fly designer, and all-around fly fishing artisan. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the forty-nineth installment of BOTE's Beneath the Surface Podcast and the first stop on The Sea & Tyler Road Show: Sugarloaf Key, Florida. Sean sits down with BOTE Ambassadors, Scott and Lindsey Brown, to discuss the value of getting today's youth outdoors; because ultimately they are going to become stewards and custodians of our natural resources.

Welcome to the forty-eighth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface podcast.  When you have an old Florida lineage, an infectious laugh, a passion for the water and a love for everything outdoors, you may just be Capt. Lacey Kelly. Sean fires up the mics with Wil Beaucher (director and producer of our Beneath The Surface video series) to revisit their time with Lacey and her gang of bad ass gals. So sit back, crank it to 11, and enjoy.

What is the design process at BOTE? How does a concept become a real, viable product? Aaron May (BOTE's Product Director) joins Corey and Sean to look back on the design and creation of BOTE's newest break-through product - the APEX•PD (pedal-drive). 

On this episode, we take a look back a few years. A simple concept of creating a board that was a throw-back to old school longboards while still able to perform as a contemporary SUP. Corey sits down with our R&D guru Pete and discusses the design process and how the Grambler “took shape”. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the forty-fifth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface. Find out what happens when you combine one of our most popular kayaks with pedal-driven propulsion = LONO + APEX•PD (pedal-drive). Rob joins Corey and Sean to discuss the variety of ways the LONO + APEX•PD changes the game. Also, the fact that it's lighter than a 100 lb. bag of feathers. So sit back, press play, and enjoy!

Welcome to the forty-fourth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface.  Sean is sitting this one out. In his place is co-founder Magda Cooper. Her and Corey discuss a little history of BOTE and how Magda's role(s) have evolved over the years. They also create a new holiday - Mother's Day Eve. Hmmmmmm, what do you think? So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the forty-third installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface.  Of course, as most of you know, BOTE is immersed in the H2O lifestyle and a part of that lifestyle involves a little bit of beer drinking. Surprised? Corey and Kelly Taylor (owner of Destin Brewery) hang out among fermenting tanks to discuss how the collaboration of BOTE and the Destin Brewery developed BOTE Beer - A Session I.P.A. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the forty-second installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface.  Sure, paddle boards and kayaks are cool to use for exploration and recreation, but when it comes to fishing and hunting, they may be the best choice out there.  Corey and Sean sit down to discuss how the BOTE family of water platforms can elevate your next hunting or fishing adventure. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the fourtieth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface.  Whether it's with your husband, wife, partner, kids, friends or pets, going on an adventure is always better together.  Corey and Sean sit down to discuss Hallmark holidays and recall different adventures they've been on over the years. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the thirty-ninth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface. One of the best parts of being on the water is the wildlife you encounter along the way. This week, Sean and Corey tell stories of the most memorable creatures they have run into while paddle boarding over the years. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the thirty-eighth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface.  A New Year warrants a new product and we've got one.  Corey and Sean sit down to discuss the origins, the design process and the details of BOTE's newest introduction to its line-up - the Zeppelin inflatable kayak. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Ah, the year 2020, while we are all eager to see you go, it's important to look back and reflect on a few bright spots you provided. Corey and Sean take an introspective look in the rearview mirror and discuss how 2020 was a year full of incredible challenges and large opportunities.

Welcome to the thirty-sixth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface. Frozen lakes, sub-zero temperatures & lobster claw gloves – This week Corey and Sean rehash the coldest video shoot in BOTE history when the team went to Boston, Massachusetts to shoot with Willis Brown in the dead of winter. 

Welcome to the thirty-fifth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface. With the holidays fast approaching, Corey and Sean talk about why a paddle board or kayak is a great gift to get you and your family time together, outside. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

Welcome to the thirty-fourth installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface. Less storytelling, more product insight. Corey and Sean dive into our newest product - the Breeze Gatorshell and how it is molded with soul and our Flagship of Fun. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

The thirty-third installment of BOTE's Beneath the Surface Podcast falls on Thanksgiving. This year, amidst all the chaos of 2020—the global pandemic, U.S. elections, and holiday shopping madness—it's especially important to reflect on the good things in life. For some, it is family; for others, it's simple fall routines like football, good food, and shopping. Whatever your joy is, it is essential to remember what we have to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Welcome to the thirty-second installment of BOTE's Beneath The Surface. From 3:00 am alarms, multiple locations, and everything we make, the BOTE photoshoots are anything but easy. In the end, though it helps define who we are and where we're going. Corey and Sean sit down to discuss the challenges and the victories of our latest brand shoot. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.

In the 31st installment of the Beneath the Surface Podcast, Corey and Sean take us through some of their favorite places to paddle throughout the United States. In Beneath the Surface: Where to Paddle, the guys recount some of their favorite paddle experiences from coast to coast and tons of (surprising) favorite locales in between. Toward the end of the episode, BOTE ambassador Erin O'Malley jumps on to give us her favorite paddle destinations. From the backwoods of Alabama to the Grand Canyon, you won't want to miss this episode of the best places to paddle in the U.S. Links from the EpisodePaddle Bostin in January, or just catch a glimpse in BOTE Presents // The Perfect Season.Don't think you can paddle? You can do it. Paddle around the statue of liberty virtually via BOTE Presents // Operation Phoenix.Go beneath the surface of the “most alive” tiny town in the South, Venice, LA. Landlocked in middle America? Paddle the Ozarks. Can't decide? Take the find your board quiz.Get to know BOTE ambassador Erin O'Malley. Who's in the EpisodeLead Designer, Co-Founder, and CEO at BOTE, Corey Cooper is a licensed engineer hailing from Auburn University. Corey is the pioneer of the DarkRoom, assisting with the design of the machinery, concepting the layout and ultimately developing the workflow used in DarkRoom production. Corey's passion for this project is so strong that on any given day, regardless of how busy things are at BOTE, you will often find Corey working in the DarkRoom.Sean Murphy is the Director of Photography at BOTE and a world-renowned photographer based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After spending most of his career based in Los Angeles, shooting for brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and Toyota, just to name a few, Sean moved back to the Redneck Riviera. You can find Sean capturing gritty America and spontaneous moments that translate into visually stunning photography.  Erin O'Malley is a BOTE ambassador and owner of Sunset Standup Paddle in Laguna Beach, CA.Sound Bites“The most challenging place has always been... Los Angeles. We have the Pacific Ocean but there aren't a lot of waterways like we have here in Florida. You've got swells, and wind, and waves, and it's tricky because I like to fish… It's a whole thing. You've gotta pack your car, drive somewhere then carry your board down a cliff. It's cold.” - Sean Murphy, BOTE Director of Photography “The most interesting place was Boston in the wintertime… for a photoshoot called The Perfect Season. I went to school in Boston, in spring and fall it's easy breezy but in January we were paddling in snow and ice. Man, we paddled through the downtown area at four or five in the morning. FROZEN. It was so cool.” - Sean Murphy, BOTE Director of Photography “I've got a farm pond that's on about 10 acres. People don't think of ponds as being a place to stand up paddle board, they think of more expansive bodies of water like lakes and rivers. But just paddling around the edge of the pond to fish for bass and bream beats a johnboat any day.” - Corey Cooper, BOTE CEO and Co-Founder

Welcome back to the Beneath the Surface podcast. In this episode—the thirtieth(!) installment— Corey and Sean alleviate apprehensions about paddle boarding. After all these years, still one of the most common questions people have about paddle boarding is: “Can I do it?” The short answer? Yes. The 25-minute answer outlined in this podcast? Also yes. Emphatically yes. As Corey says, “This sport wouldn't be so popular if it wasn't easy.”In Beneath the Surface: You Can Do It, Corey and Sean detail why paddle boarding is an activity for everyone. Not just that, but why it's an excellent activity for everyone. They also dive into some of the best standup paddle boards based on people's interests and ability levels. And of course, as always, they have a grand old time doing it. So sit back, press play, and enjoy.Links from the Episode Find the right board for you. Take the quiz. Don't fall in. Get the most stable board on the market. Want something a little more maneuverable? Get the paddle board that suits any excursion.Who's in the EpisodeLead Designer, Co-Founder, and CEO at BOTE, Corey Cooper is a licensed engineer hailing from Auburn University. Corey is the pioneer of the DarkRoom, assisting with the design of the machinery, concepting the layout and ultimately developing the workflow used in DarkRoom production. Corey's passion for this project is so strong that on any given day, regardless of how busy things are at BOTE, you will often find Corey working in the DarkRoom.Sean Murphy is the Director of Photography at BOTE and a world-renowned photographer based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After spending most of his career based in Los Angeles, shooting for brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and Toyota, just to name a few, Sean moved back to the Redneck Riviera. You can find Sean capturing gritty America and spontaneous moments that translate into visually stunning photography.  Sound Bites“As an inexperienced paddler, the bigger the board you get, the easier it's going to be in the beginning. However, the downside is: you're going to overcome that uncomfortable phase real quick. You're going to acclimate to the board in less than a week. So don't overbuy to the extent that you're no longer having fun with the board once you acclimate to it.” – Corey Cooper, CEO and Co-Founder at BOTE 

In this episode of the Beneath the Surface Podcast, Corey and Sean talk about the creation of their newest and most electrifying product (literally): the Power Rac. It's a new Rac option that started as just paddle board lights but quickly turned into something more. Paddle boarding at night is some of the most epic paddling out there but can be challenging without the right gear, especially when that gear doesn't really exist.After a wet and wild trip to the Everglades with a charged up Rover that didn't quite make the cut, Corey hatched a plan to add power to their boards by keeping it self contained in a Grab Rac. And thus, the Power Rac was born.  Built specifically for the Rackham and Rover boards, the Power Rac consolidates electric power in a super simple control puck, so you can control your LED light, nav lights, accessory ports, and GPS fishfinder all from the same place. Listen up to find out how they came up with the idea and why it's going to be a game-changer in the SUP accessory world.Links from the EpisodeThe Power Rac, an powered up take on the Grab Rac.See how Corey and Sean survived the Everglades with their Rover's.The simplicity of our Rac Systems will have you elevating your board in no time.See what Yak-Power is all about. Spoiler: it's more than just a badass name. Add extra power to your Power Rac with a second NOCQUA battery.Who's in the EpisodeLead Designer, Co-Founder, and CEO at BOTE, Corey Cooper is a licensed engineer hailing from Auburn University. Corey is the pioneer of the DarkRoom, assisting with the design of the machinery, concepting the layout and ultimately developing the workflow used in DarkRoom production. Corey's passion for this project is so strong that on any given day, regardless of how busy things are at BOTE, you will often find Corey working in the DarkRoom.Sean Murphy is the Director of Photography at BOTE and a world-renowned photographer based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After spending most of his career based in Los Angeles, shooting for brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and Toyota, just to name a few, Sean moved back to the Redneck Riviera. You can find Sean capturing gritty America and spontaneous moments that translate into visually stunning photography.Sounds Bites“So the idea, the goal, was 1.) we wanted to get lights on the deck of a board so people can see what's on the deck at night without having to use flashlights and headlamps and stuff. 2.) We wanted nav lights so you can paddle the Rover at night. 3.) We wanted to have accessory power. So whether it's powering a speaker or a phone or a bubbler like a Livewell, or GPS, a power port that can power, so you have all these options.”  - Corey Cooper, BOTE CEO and Co-Founder

Welcome back and thanks for joining us for the 28th installment of the Beneath the Surface podcast. In Beneath the Surface Podcast: Anything But Mainstream, Corey and Sean reflect on a project that took place back in 2016 in and around the Apalachicola River--what might be BOTE's most underrated trip so far.  The Apalachicola River is fed from the Chattahoochee River, starting where the Chattahoochee River is dammed at the Florida state line in Southern Georgia. The river is the Apalachicola Bay's primary source of freshwater, an essential element to mix with the saltwater coming in from the Gulf of Mexico to make the ideal environment for thriving oyster beds. In this episode, the guys take another multi-day paddle trip down the Apalachicola River to shed light on the oyster fishery and its need for conservation. So sit back, press play, and learn a little something about what's happening along the Gulf Coast with a few laugh out loud moments along the way.Links from the EpisodeDiscover Florida's Forgotten Coast. Learn more about why Apalachicola Bay oyster fisheries are in danger.Enjoy BOTE Presents // Anything but Mainstream, a conservation expedition.Get to know the mission of the Waterkeeper Alliance. Jump back to episode 26 to learn about our partnership with SweetWater Brewery.The guys paddled the river on Flood and HD solid paddle boards.Who's in the EpisodeLead Designer, Co-Founder, and CEO at BOTE, Corey Cooper is a licensed engineer hailing from Auburn University. Corey is the pioneer of the DarkRoom, assisting with the design of the machinery, concepting the layout and ultimately developing the workflow used in DarkRoom production. Corey's passion for this project is so strong that on any given day, regardless of how busy things are at BOTE, you will often find Corey working in the DarkRoom.Sean Murphy is the Director of Photography at BOTE and a world-renowned photographer based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After spending most of his career based in Los Angeles, shooting for brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and Toyota, just to name a few, Sean moved back to the Redneck Riviera. You can find Sean capturing gritty America and spontaneous moments that translate into visually stunning photography.  

Welcome to the twenty-seventh installment of the Beneath the Surface Podcast. In Beneath the Surface: Loose Program Behind the Scenes, Corey and Sean sit down with BOTE Brand Manager Skye Bailey and BOTE Videographer Thomas Ramsey to rehash some behind the scenes moments of the film project BOTE Presents // Loose Program.Much like the premise of other BOTE Presents projects, the goal was to capture Ronne Renner's unique lifestyle from a different perspective that you don't see captured in X Games and Redbull footage on YouTube. So the team packs up and heads to Ronnie's home in Central Florida to get unparalleled access to his life--kids, compound, and all. Enjoy! Links from the EpisodeWatch the BOTE Presents // Loose Program film.Check out the Rover Micro Skiff.Learn more about Ronnie Renner, MotoX Freestyle Red Bull Athlete.Our newest camera addition and drone additions. Who's in the EpisodeLead Designer, Co-Founder, and CEO at BOTE, Corey Cooper is a licensed engineer hailing from Auburn University. Corey is the pioneer of the DarkRoom, assisting with the design of the machinery, concepting the layout and ultimately developing the workflow used in DarkRoom production. Corey's passion for this project is so strong that on any given day, regardless of how busy things are at BOTE, you will often find Corey working in the DarkRoom.Sean Murphy is the Director of Photography at BOTE and a world-renowned photographer based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After spending most of his career based in Los Angeles, shooting for brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and Toyota, just to name a few, Sean moved back to the Redneck Riviera. You can find Sean capturing gritty America and spontaneous moments that translate into visually stunning photography.Sound Bites“Everything I do is great and fun for my own self-fulfillment, but when I can pass it on to my kids or share it with my kids or do it with my kids... it just takes life to another level.” - Ronnie Renner, MotoX Freestyle Red Bull Athlete

In episode 26 of the Beneath the Surface Podcast: SweetWater - The Road Trip, Corey and Sean give us a breakdown of their three-day visit to Atlanta, Georgia, while filming a campaign video with SweetWater Brewery and Waterkeeper Alliance. You need fresh water to make beer. And you need fresh water to paddle board on. So the partnership between SweetWater, BOTE, and Waterkeeper Alliance to raise awareness for healthy fresh and saltwater ecosystems make complete sense. What doesn't make complete sense is all the crazy shit that happened during the filmmaking, and that's what Corey and Sean cover here. If you're looking to learn about clean water, check out the Anything But Mainstream video link in the Links from the Episode. If you're looking to hear about a mystery bottle of urine in the company van, press play.Links from the EpisodeThe beer that launched the 3-day trip, SweetWater Brewery.Castaway Customs can deck out your BOTE and your boat.Waterkeeper Alliance, a pretty rad group that helps protect our waterways. After listening to Regular John by Queens of the Stoneage, Corey and Sean's late-night shenanigans makes so much sense.Watch the Anything But Mainstream video to learn more about water conservation.Who's in the EpisodeLead Designer, Co-Founder, and CEO at BOTE, Corey Cooper is a licensed engineer hailing from Auburn University. Corey is the pioneer of the DarkRoom, assisting with the design of the machinery, concepting the layout and ultimately developing the workflow used in DarkRoom production. Corey's passion for this project is so strong that on any given day, regardless of how busy things are at BOTE, you will often find Corey working in the DarkRoom.Sean Murphy is the Director of Photography at BOTE and a world-renowned photographer based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After spending most of his career based in Los Angeles, shooting for brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and Toyota, just to name a few, Sean moved back to the Redneck Riviera. You can find Sean capturing gritty America and spontaneous moments that translate into visually stunning photography.Sound Bites“We were driving up from here (Fort Walton Beach, Florida) to Atlanta and we stopped at this drinking water reservoir in Opp, AL and it had all the trees kinda growing up from it.” - Corey Cooper / BOTE CEO & Co-Founder“Oh yeah, and we were driving and I was like ‘STOP THE VAN! THAT LOOKS COOL. We need to shoot there. Now.' It was freezing, if you had fallen in, you would've died.” - Sean Murphy / BOTE Director of Photography

Corey and Sean are back behind the mid for the 25th installment of the Beneath the Surface Podcast. This time, they're talking about the Aero Journey.  The journey of the BOTE inflatable paddle board is one that may seem like it's still in its infancy--less than 10 years old--but the growth has been incredible in such a short amount of time. In Beneath the Surface Podcast: The Aero Journey, Corey and Sean take us through the lifespan of BOTE's inflatables, starting in 2013 when Corey sees a need for an easy to transport SUP board. You know the Aero line. It ranges from inflatable paddle boards to kayaks and even couches and docks. Inspired by the original solid SUP board technology and enhanced for packability, the Aero journey is one that's filled with innovation and technology--just like everything you can come to expect from the BOTE brand. Links for the EpisodeCheck out Corey and Sean's four day excursion on the Everglades, Surviving the Everglades. Don't believe they would run over an inflatable? Well, they did.The Inflatable Dock aka ‘the floating square'. Simple on the outside, tech'd out on the inside.Learn more about the guy who ‘just takes the photos', Sean Murphy.Harry Madison, BOTE Ambassador and fixer-upper of SUP boards, knows a thing or two about blowouts.  Who's in the EpisodeLead Designer, Co-Founder, and CEO at BOTE, Corey Cooper is a licensed engineer hailing from Auburn University. Corey is the pioneer of the DarkRoom, assisting with the design of the machinery, concepting the layout and ultimately developing the workflow used in DarkRoom production. Corey's passion for this project is so strong that on any given day, regardless of how busy things are at BOTE, you will often find Corey working in the DarkRoomSean Murphy is the Director of Photography at BOTE and a world-renowned photographer based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After spending most of his career based in Los Angeles, shooting for brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and Toyota, just to name a few, Sean moved back to the Redneck Riviera. You can find Sean capturing gritty America and spontaneous moments that translate into visually stunning photography.Sound Bites“The word inflatable is actually a bad word. It's more like a compressed air chamber. Yes, it's inflatable because there's air inside of it and it goes from not having anything in it to being inflated, but it's like an air tank. This is air compressor level shit. Tire level stuff. People always confuse the word inflatable and think pool float, rubber ducky, giant flamingo. We came up with a new word, we call it our AeroTechnology.” - Corey Cooper / BOTE CEO and Co-Founder

Welcome to the 24th installment of the Beneath The Surface Podcast. Sometimes things just don't come to fruition. Even with the best intentions, some projects just don't see the light of day. In this episode, Corey and Sean discuss one such project: the creation of the Rover (OG) / Wake SUP board and the video shoot surrounding it. Shot with Billy Rossini and friends in North Carolina, this was one for the books. About five years ago, Billy came to Corey with an idea for a wake surf paddle board hybrid. Something that was small and maneuverable enough to catch waves, but once downtime rolled around, could also be used as more than a mere flotation device (like a normal surfboard). Corey and co. responded by taking this idea and running with it in the BOTE DarkRoom, and a few months later the Rover was born. A few more months after that, and it was time to head to Billy's lake house in North Carolina to launch the product with a video and photo shoot. What ensues is a surreal and strange shoot with strobe lights and superhero suits. The product itself, for one reason or another, was never actually released. But who knows—maybe after you listen to this episode—it can be. The decision is in your hands. So, get listenin'.Links from the Episode Deck out your board with strobe lights from NOCQUA. Refamiliarize yourself with the DarkRoom. Follow Sean on Instagram (he wants more followers).Give us a comment on Facebook about whether you'd like to see the Rover in action.Who's in the EpisodeLead Designer, Co-Founder, and CEO at BOTE, Corey Cooper is a licensed engineer hailing from Auburn University. Corey is the pioneer of the DarkRoom, assisting with the design of the machinery, concepting the layout and ultimately developing the workflow used in DarkRoom production. Corey's passion for this project is so strong that on any given day, regardless of how busy things are at BOTE, you will often find Corey working in the DarkRoom.Sean Murphy is the Director of Photography at BOTE and a world-renowned photographer based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After spending most of his career based in Los Angeles, shooting for brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and Toyota, just to name a few, Sean moved back to the Redneck Riviera. You can find Sean capturing gritty America and spontaneous moments that translate into visually stunning photography.  Sound Bites“If you stood there and stared at those flashes just as a normal person, you'd be so screwed. Meanwhile, Billy is having to navigate a black wave at night, in the dark, staring into a strobe light, in a morph suit, with one eyehole.”  — Corey Cooper / BOTE CEO and Co-Founder“We're about to talk about a product we've never launched that we didn't think was going to be commercially viable and put it back out there for public commentary.” — BOTE Corey Cooper / CEO and Co-Founder 

Aaaand they're back for another wild and crazy episode of the Beneath the Surface Podcast. In the 23rd installment,  Beneath the Surface Podcast: The Compound, Corey and Sean take us on a journey from Los Angeles, CA, to Fort Walton Beach, FL. The stories take us through the course of Sean's career spanning 26 years, from a punk rock photographer in the 1990's to his work with BOTE in the present day. Sure, on the surface that sounds like a good time, but there's more. In this episode they go beneath the surface, diving into inspiration, community, and creative expression. There are some layers to this onion; get ready to start peeling. Enjoy. Links from the Episode Take an intimate look at Sean's life and work in BOTE Presents // Murphy – Simmer Down. Read the full Murphy -- Simmer Down story by Rob McAbee. Get to know Sean Murphy on Instagram. Who's in the EpisodeLead Designer, Co-Founder, and CEO at BOTE, Corey Cooper is a licensed engineer hailing from Auburn University. Corey is the pioneer of the DarkRoom, assisting with the design of the machinery, concepting the layout and ultimately developing the workflow used in DarkRoom production. Corey's passion for this project is so strong that on any given day, regardless of how busy things are at BOTE, you will often find Corey working in the DarkRoom.Sean Murphy is the Director of Photography at BOTE and a world-renowned photographer based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After spending most of his career based in Los Angeles, shooting for brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and Toyota, just to name a few, Sean moved back to the Redneck Riviera. You can find Sean capturing gritty America and spontaneous moments that translate into visually stunning photography.  

Welcome to the 22nd installment of the Beneath the Surface podcast, brought to you by lots of caffeine. In this week's episode, Sean and Corey go behind the scenes of a National ADDY award-winning film Red & Brown, with one of the stars of the film, Mike Frenette, a.k.a. Red.In Beneath the Surface: Red & Brown, the guys get real about the impacts of the pandemic on the outdoor industry; what makes Venice, LA, a unique place to visit and live; and the common thread that connects each of their businesses, authenticity. This week's episode is a little longer than usual and worth every minute. Sit back and enjoy. Links from the EpisodeCheck out the full story: BOTE Presents // Red & Brown.Stay comfortably outside of gator infested water with a 10' inflatable dock.Visit Red, Brown, and the fam, at Redfish Lodge in Venice, LA.Get to know the coolest port town you've never heard of, Venice, Louisiana. Who's in the EpisodeLead Designer, Co-Founder, and CEO at BOTE, Corey Cooper is a licensed engineer hailing from Auburn University. Corey is the pioneer of the DarkRoom, assisting with the design of the machinery, concepting the layout and ultimately developing the workflow used in DarkRoom production. Corey's passion for this project is so strong that on any given day, regardless of how busy things are at BOTE, you will often find Corey working in the DarkRoom.Sean Murphy is the Director of Photography at BOTE and a world-renowned photographer based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After spending most of his career based in Los Angeles, shooting for brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and Toyota, just to name a few, Sean moved back to the Redneck Riviera. You can find Sean capturing gritty America and spontaneous moments that translate into visually stunning photography.  Mike Frenette, a.k.a. Red, is a fishing guide based in Venice, LA, and star of the BOTE Presents film, Red & Brown. 

Welcome to episode 21 of the Beneath the Surface Podcast. In this episode, join Corey and Sean as they revisit trips to the Florida Keys which happens to be one of their all-time favorite places. In Beneath the Surface Podcast: Keys Reloaded, the guys reflect on the site where BOTE first launched and found out how badass one of their favorite products truly was, the Rover Micro Skiff. Making your mark on the world, voyaging into far off places, and embarking on journeys designed to discover our true selves and grow our knowledge of the world around us--the Rover is the perfect platform to help you take that journey. Whether stalking your catch, opening it up on a flat day, navigating shallow waters, dodging a storm, or hanging with a band of pirates, it's all in a day's work in the Florida Keys with the BOTE Rover micro skiff. Kick back and enjoy. Links from the EpisodeCheck out the Rover Micro Skiff.Collaborations are in the pipeline with Ronnie Renner, a MotoX Freestyle RedBull Athlete.Check out Mellow Ventures Key West next time you're there.Go fly fishing and everything in-between with Bear Holeman.A signature Key West Annual Paddle Event, learn more about the Key West Classic.Who's in the EpisodeLead Designer, Co-Founder, and CEO at BOTE, Corey Cooper is a licensed engineer hailing from Auburn University. Corey is the pioneer of the DarkRoom, assisting with the design of the machinery, concepting the layout and ultimately developing the workflow used in DarkRoom production. Corey's passion for this project is so strong that on any given day, regardless of how busy things are at BOTE, you will often find Corey working in the DarkRoom.Sean Murphy is the Director of Photography at BOTE and a world-renowned photographer based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After spending most of his career based in Los Angeles, shooting for brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and Toyota, just to name a few, Sean moved back to the Redneck Riviera. You can find Sean capturing gritty America and spontaneous moments that translate into visually stunning photography. 

In the 20th installment of the Beneath the Surface Podcast, Corey and Sean have a conversation with Rob McAbee, BOTE Creative Director and Founder of Bug Slinger™️ fly fishing gear. Rob started Bug Slinger in 2007, right around the time Corey and Magda founded BOTE. As the BOTE and Bug Slinger™️ brands grew within the outdoor industry, it was inevitable that the paddle board fishing-focused company would collide with the fly fishing apparel brand and produce epic collaborations for years to come. The two companies have a lot of common threads, which include creating new categories within their industries and producing innovative designs that stand apart. In this episode of the Beneath the Surface Podcast, the guys dive into the creation of the Bug Slinger brand, the design process behind the BOTE brand, and a glimpse behind the scenes of the Bug Slinger and BOTE relationship.Links from the EpisodeCheck out Bug SlingerTM and Buff® collaborations.Introducing the new LONO Aero Inflatable Kayak 12'6" / Bug Slinger™ Tarpon.Check out the BOTE x Bug SlingerTM line up. Who's in the EpisodeLead Designer, Co-Founder, and CEO at BOTE, Corey Cooper is a licensed engineer hailing from Auburn University. Corey is the pioneer of the DarkRoom, assisting with the design of the machinery, concepting the layout and ultimately developing the workflow used in DarkRoom production. Corey's passion for this project is so strong that on any given day, regardless of how busy things are at BOTE, you will often find Corey working in the DarkRoom.Sean Murphy is the Director of Photography at BOTE and a world-renowned photographer based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After spending most of his career based in Los Angeles, shooting for brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and Toyota, just to name a few, Sean moved back to the Redneck Riviera. You can find Sean capturing gritty America and spontaneous moments that translate into visually stunning photography.  BOTE Creative Director, Rob McAbee, brings the style when it comes to designing eye-catching stand up paddle boards and developing color palettes, patterns, fonts, and illustrations that unite and define the BOTE brand. With over 25 years of professional brand building and marketing experience, Rob combined his love for fishing with his love for creative design when he joined the BOTE family in 2013. An avid fly fisher, Rob is the founder of Bug Slinger™ Fly Gear and, in collaboration with Corey, the creative brain behind the BOTE brand. Sound Bites“In 2007, I set out to create a hip clothing brand built around artistic designs to reflect a fresher insight into the fly fishing market. The designs and clothing reflected an outward expression of the way I viewed fly fishing. The designs were typically influenced by current trends from the action sports, fashion, and music industries. This trajectory has been applied to the BOTE brand over the last 8 years and has influenced the paddle sports space.” - Rob McAbee / BOTE Creative Director and Founder of Bug Slinger™“When Corey asked me to design a few limited edition Bug Slinger™ boards, I thought to myself, ‘Sweet, I'll get a couple of free boards!' Eight years later, it's been a hell of a ride being a part of building this brand.” - Rob McAbee / BOTE Creative Director 

In episode 19 of the Beneath the Surface Podcast, BOTE Creative Director, Rob McAbee, is in the studio with Corey and Sean to give us the dirt on the creation of their 2016 video, A Western Flow.  When Rob gets the idea to float down Utah's Green River for three days with a motley crew consisting of Sean, two off-the-grid extreme adventurers, and a few other characters,--all in the pursuit of showcasing the versatility and durability of BOTE's inflatable paddle boards--things don't quite go as planned.  Running into trouble the moment they launch off Flaming Gorge dam, this fly fishing paddling excursion has weird twists and turns from start to finish. Sit back and enjoy the latest installment of the Beneath the Surface Podcast.Links for the EpisodeThere's endless and ever changing scenery on Utah's Green River.Check out the board used on the trip, the Rackham Aero Inflatable Paddle Board.A Western Flow, the BOTE video that'll make you want to fly fish.Read up on why Green River trout are so abundant.Sean Murphy is a mad genius, just check out his photo portfolio.Who's in the EpisodeLead Designer, Co-Founder, and CEO at BOTE, Corey Cooper is a licensed engineer hailing from Auburn University. Corey is the pioneer of the DarkRoom, assisting with the design of the machinery, concepting the layout and ultimately developing the workflow used in DarkRoom production. Corey's passion for this project is so strong that on any given day, regardless of how busy things are at BOTE, you will often find Corey working in the DarkRoom.Sean Murphy is the Director of Photography at BOTE and a world-renowned photographer based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After spending most of his career based in Los Angeles, shooting for brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and Toyota, just to name a few, Sean moved back to the Redneck Riviera. You can find Sean capturing gritty America and spontaneous moments that translate into visually stunning photography.BOTE Creative Director, Rob McAbee, brings the style when it comes to designing eye-catching stand up paddle boards and developing color palettes, patterns, fonts, and illustrations that unite and define the BOTE brand. With over 25 years of professional brand building and marketing experience, Rob combined his love for fishing with his love for creative design when he joined the BOTE family in 2013. An avid fly fisher, Rob is the founder of Bug Slinger Fly Gear and, in collaboration with Corey, the creative brain behind the BOTE brand.  Sound Bites“On top of the shit I already knew about Utah (Mormons and Moab), I also now know there's a small group of kick ass people who inspired me to live in the moment along one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.” - Sean Murphy / Director of Photography

In this episode, Corey and Sean team up with BOTE Creative Director Rob McAbee to talk about the first ever “BOTE Presents” trip. It was a product launch for The Grambler—a board that Rob envisioned as being a surf style board that wasn't necessarily performance-based, but that would surf more like a longboard. Sure enough, that's what the Grambler became. A board forged in Florida, yet with a chilled out vibe similar to Northern California. In other words, “East Coast Style Meets West Coast Soul”, the operational tagline for the Grambler. And it's from this tagline that the “Grambler Out for Delivery” trip & film were born. Rob was good friends at the time with Tim and Nicki Bluhm—of the band Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers. They were planning on performing at the Hipnic Music Festival in Big Sur that year, and Rob loved the idea of pairing music with surf to fit the laidback ethos of the Grambler board. What better way than to set off on a surf-fueled, music-filled road trip up Highway 1 to deliver the boards to their musical ambassadors. Tune in to hear how the trip went, including stories about Sean's tramp stamp tattoo, his dart gun, and a tense run-in with some super protective locals. Links from the Episode Get to know the Grambler. Listen to Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers. Visit Zuma Beach.Watch Shane Reynolds' Top 10 Locals List, PCH Edition. Who's in the EpisodeLead Designer, Co-Founder, and CEO at BOTE, Corey Cooper is a licensed engineer hailing from Auburn University. Corey is the pioneer of the DarkRoom, assisting with the design of the machinery, concepting the layout and ultimately developing the workflow used in DarkRoom production. Corey's passion for this project is so strong that on any given day, regardless of how busy things are at BOTE, you will often find Corey working in the DarkRoom.Sean Murphy is the Director of Photography at BOTE and a world-renowned photographer based in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. After spending most of his career based in Los Angeles, shooting for brands like Adidas, Red Bull, and Toyota, just to name a few, Sean moved back to the Redneck Riviera. You can find Sean capturing gritty America and spontaneous moments that translate into visually stunning photography.  BOTE Creative Director, Rob McAbee, brings the style when it comes to designing eye-catching stand up paddle boards and developing color palettes, patterns, fonts, and illustrations that unite and define the BOTE brand. With over 25 years of professional brand building and marketing experience, Rob combined his love for fishing with his love for creative design when he joined the BOTE family in 2013. An avid fly fisher, Rob is the founder of Bugslinger Fly Gear and, in collaboration with Corey, the creative brain behind the BOTE brand. Sound Bites“What could have turned out to be a complete nightmare turned out to be a killer week with unlimited cool shit happening non-stop... It was rad, but it was no Kana Beach.” — Sean Murphy, Director of Photography at BOTE“The planning of a surf trip is one of those things in life that ranks up there with a kid's anticipation of Christmas morning. This trip was no exception and the gear lists, the online recon for camping and surf spots, and all the traveling arrangements were made with the same excitement of ripping into those special gifts from Santa.” — Rob McAbee / Creative Brand Director