Bleav: Dropping In with Omar Etcheverry and Cyrus Saatsaz

In Episode 21 of Dropping In former professional surfer Omar Etcheverry and award winning journalist Cyrus Saatsaz welcomed legendary filmmaker Dana Brown to talk about his new film A Life of Endless Summers: The Bruce Brown Story.

In Episode 20 of Dropping In former professional surfer Omar Etcheverry and award winning journalist Cyrus Saatsaz started reminiscing about The Endless Summer movies thanks to Cyrus' recent engagement with the Bruce Brown Films social media account and it led them on a trip down memory lane to an interview they did some years ago with the star of The Endless Summer II, Pat O'Connell. Plus Omar and Cyrus discussed the recent rise in great white shark sightings including Cyrus' recent encounter where he saw one breach the water while he was surfing, Cyrus bitched about surfing a shitty beach break while the air is filled with ash from the wildfires, they discussed the sudden rise in the number of surfers, Omar gave rave reviews for the surfing film Rip Curl's Postcards From Morgs and they analyzed similarities in learning curves between golf and surfing.

In Episode 19 of Dropping In former professional surfer Omar Etcheverry and award winning journalist Cyrus Saatsaz welcomed professional basketball player Canyon Barry to talk about how he got into surfing, where he loves to ride and what his favorite boards are, and what it was like being the son of NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry, former legendary collegiate basketball player Lynn Barry, and having four older brothers who were professional basketball players. Canyon talked about earning a master's degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Florida, a picture of older brother Brent Barry possibly surfing a thick double overheard barrel, and possibly being a representative of the United States in next year's Summer Olympics for 3x3 basketball. Plus Omar and Cyrus discussed how the Atlantic Ocean might have better waves this summer given the recent lack of swell, with Omar revealing how he prefers not surfing to riding a longboard thus going insane.

In Episode 18 of Dropping In former professional surfer Omar Etcheverry and award winning journalist Cyrus Saatsaz welcomed KTVU meteorologist and legendary Northern California surfer Bill Martin to talk about his friendship with Green Day co-founder Mike Dirnt and how they surf together regularly, the correlation between surfers and cowboys, his early surfing days where he was living in a van while working as a meteorologist in the San Francisco Bay Area, the potential impact of rising seas from global warming on surfing and waves, being a part of the '70s and '80s countercultural surfing scene in San Francisco, how we as a society should listen more to scientists, and his experience interviewing President Barack Obama. Plus Omar and Cyrus discussed Kelly Slater's relative inaction pertaining to the Black Lives Matter movement and the show wraps up with the crew hyping up True Surf which is the greatest surfing video game on the planet.

In Episode 17 of Dropping In former professional surfer Omar Etcheverry and award winning journalist Cyrus Saatsaz welcomed world renowned photography Jim Herrington who talked about his friendship with Cyrus' favorite musician ever Tom Petty and this legendary photograph of Tom skateboarding. Jim talked about how they met, his book The Climbers and his perspective on the current world of photography.

In Episode 16 of Dropping In former professional surfer Omar Etcheverry and award winning journalist Cyrus Saatsaz welcomed surf author and professor Andy Martin who talked about his new book Surf, Sweat and Tears: The Epic Life and Mysterious Death of Edward George William Omar Deerhurst. Following the interview there was heavy criticism toward The New York Times and their contributor Zoltan Istvan for the ignorance and selfishness of an article recently published encouraging people to travel to other towns and surf despite the intrusion, danger and bad example it set.

In Episode 15 of Dropping In former professional surfer Omar Etcheverry and award winning journalist Cyrus Saatsaz welcomed SurfCenter host Damien Farenfort to talk about being the third straight South African to come on the show, his close relationship with Dane Reynolds, the WSL and what is needed for improvement, what his client Jordy Smith needs to do if he wants to finally win the World Title, how the transition's been from his Dooma's Rumors days in a media climate sadly rife with political correctness, and his new surfing podcast.

In Episode 14 of Dropping In former professional surfer Omar Etcheverry and award winning journalist Cyrus Saatsaz welcomed legendary big wave surfer and waterman Chris Bertish who talked about the remarkable story behind winning the Maverick's Big Wave Invitational as a last minute invite, following fellow South African surfer Shaun Tomson's path as a motivational speaker, his Guinness Book of World Records achievement for crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a stand up paddle board, his very positively reviewed book "Stoked!: An inspiring story about courage, determination and the power of dreams," and how surfing in South Africa prepared him for big waves.

In Episode 13 of Dropping In former professional surfer Omar Etcheverry and award winning journalist Cyrus Saatsaz welcomed one of the greatest surfers ever Shaun Tomson who talked about filming the legendary documentary Bustin' Down the Door, how Edward Norton became involved in the film, his thoughts on the current state of surfing and the WSL, his new book The Code: The Power of "I Will," the iconic photo of him surfing Fort Point in San Francisco, being part of the shortboard revolution, and how's he's been inspiring people to find happiness.

In Episode 12 of Dropping In former professional surfer Omar Etcheverry and award winning journalist Cyrus Saatsaz welcomed legendary surfing broadcaster Dave Stanfield, who talked about why he isn’t commentating WSL events these days and the possible politics behind the decision.  Stanfield shared stories of his early days covering professional surfing, discussed surfing in the … Continued

In Episode 11 of Dropping In former pro surfer Omar Etcheverry and award winning journalist Cyrus Saatsaz welcomed famed surf photographer Dave “Nelly” Nelson, who provided a detailed description of renting and surfing Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch including how much it actually costs and how Maverick’s surfer Russell Smith tore his bicep off the bone … Continued

In Episode 10 Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr talks about surfing being one of his true passions.

In Episode 9 of Dropping In, Omar and Cyrus recap what was one of the wildest and most dramatic Pipe Masters events in surfing history.

In Episode 8 of Dropping In, Omar and Cyrus welcome Robert “Wingnut” Weaver, star of The Endless Summer II.  Wingnut talked about how he was selected to star in the film, and delved into some amazing stories and details about the making of the legendary movie. Plus Wingnut discussed what he’s doing these days, including … Continued

In Episode 7 of Dropping In Omar and Cyrus talk about how it’s the wild west out in the lineup and order is maintained strictly from a set of unwritten rules that form surf ethics despite rampant territorialism in the ocean, plus Omar recaps a wild day at Jaws and Cyrus reveals a new record … Continued

In Episode 6 Omar and Cyrus review the upcoming Pipe Masters and talk about it possibly being Kelly Slater’s final event as a full-time professional surfer, with the event having profound implications on who gets into next year’s Summer Olympics.

In Episode 5 of the Bleav in Surfing podcast, Omar and Cyrus reveal the schedule for next year’s WSL schedule, the crew address Kelly Slater’s comments regarding numerous issues facing next years Summer Olympics, Nike’s sale of Hurley is analyzed and the show wraps with an interview Cyrus conducted with legendary actor Edward Norton recently … Continued

Big wave surfing legend Grant Washburn joined Omar and Cyrus to discuss his new surf documentary he’s producing starring Greg “The Bull” Noll.  Plus Washburn delved into the latest controversy surrounding surf contests at famed Maverick’s.  Omar and Cyrus wrap up the show covering some drama in the WSL and breakdown of which surfers are … Continued

In Episode 3 of the Bleav in Surfing podcast, Omar and Cyrus celebrate California Governor Gavin Newsom’s new legislation banning Hollister Ranch’s coastal monopoly of nearly nine pristine miles of California coastline.  The crew then reveal the latest surfers who have qualified for the 2020 Summer Olympics, plus they break down the World Title chase, … Continued

In Episode 2 of the Bleav in Surfing podcast, Omar and Cyrus break down the recent Freshwater Pro event held at Kelly Slater’s Wave Pool, and preview the Quiksilver Pro France and Roxy Pro France events.  The crew delve into what the WSL (the governing body of professional surfing) is doing right and wrong with … Continued

In the debut episode of the new Bleav in Surfing podcast, Omar Etcheverry and Cyrus Saatsaz provide a brief introduction about their backgrounds and how they brought the band back together to launch this new show.  Following introductions Omar and Cyrus delve into a spirited debate regarding freshwater surfing events, and whether the WSL should … Continued