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Fifteen year-old surf phenomenon Isla Hardy is one of Santa Cruz’s next great hopes. This regular foot ripper burst on the scene a few years ago as a pint-sized grommet and has experienced impressive growth as both a human and surfer ever since. She’s well known for her positive attitude and bright smile and respected in the surf world for her precise rail game and futuristic aerial antics. She’s also a competitive animal, boasting a number of National Titles and a trophy collection that could, at this point, fill a storage container.

Not only that, she’s well-spoken, articulate, and outgoing. She’s got a strong work ethic and regularly shoots with legendary local photographers such as Dave “Nelly” Nelson, who just so happens to be a close family friend. As if all that weren’t enough, she’s a true student of the game, working with competitive masterminds such as Matt Myers and Nat Young to help her achieve her goals of competing on the Championship Tour and winning a gold medal in Olympic surfing.

Lately, she’s been on a freakin’ tear! Not long after signing with Billabong, Hardy took first place in the Vans Ladybirds division at the Stab High event in Virginia Beach, earning herself a cool $5,000 and tons of respect. It was her third time competing in the invitational wave pool event, one that has a simple format—launch the craziest airs possible and walk away victorious. Both developments are huge for the youngster and will undoubtably elevate her profile in an increasingly talent saturated surf world.

It would be an understatement to say I was thrilled to have young Isla on the latest episode of the Split Peak Soup Podcast! In our chat we discussed her surfing origins, competitive drive, relationship with wave pools, and preferred heat strategy, along with her tight-knit surf squad, beach loving fam, international travels, and experience representing her town as a member of the Santa Cruz Board Riders Club. She also gave me the lowdown on her breakthrough win at the Stab High event, and how she’s giving back with her work with Stand Up to Cancer.

Enjoy this wide-ranging chat with yet-another charismatic guest on the Split Peak Soup Podcast!

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Growing up on Pleasure Point, I had no shortage of excellent surfers to look up to. There’s something special in the water off those fabled bluffs that molds such stylish, smooth, and powerful surfers—one’s who can measure up against worlds best on any given day. Chris Gallagher, Kieran Horn, Bud Freitas…the list goes on and on.

In my eyes, however, there’s one local hero that stands out above them all—Adam Replogle. Adam’s poise and presence in the water has influenced countless groms growing up on the Point, and he always brings humor and positivity into every interaction.

Adam has had a rich, action-packed life so far. From the early days in Capitola, sponsorship and brotherhood surfing Pleasure Point as a teen, life as a traveling professional surfer, to embracing life his current life as a father and business owner.

I was thrilled to have Adam on the Split Peak Soup Podcast. It’s not everyday that you get to interview one of your heroes. During our chat, we got into all sorts of juicy topics, from his opinions on modern pro surfing, wave pools, slanging surfboards at Your Board Quality Surfboards, the pros and cons of living in Santa Cruz, to how he avoided succumbing to the drug abuse that caught up many in his tight knit circle.

Time to bust out that crusty bib, cause it’s time for another tasty serving of Split Peak Soup!

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Sandro “Batata” Santiago has devoted his life to his two passions—surfing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. As a sixth degree black belt in Jiu Jitsu, he’s put endless hours into perfecting his technique and has the world titles to prove it. It’s also provided himself a livelihood, with his Batata Jiu Jitsu Academy on Santa Cruz’s Westside gaining popularity as a place where individuals with discipline and grit can learn how to defend themselves in sketchy situations.

Born and raised on the beaches of Barra Tijuca in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Batata decided early on to pursue competitive martial arts over surfing, starting with Judo, then Muay Thai, and finally landing on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Success came quickly, and before long he was winning competitions and gaining sponsors for his efforts. He also grew up hoping to one day travel to the United States and surf Steamer Lane, home of the Coldwater Classic.

Around the turn of the last century, Batata finally got his chance. After moving to California, he fell in love with the iconic right-hand point break on Santa Cruz’s Westside. For the past twenty-five plus years, he’s been a fixture at the Lane, and is well known by the community for his bright wetsuits and consistent presence in the lineup.

On Saturday, May 2nd, the fifty-one year-old regular foot found himself in the type of situations that he prepares his students for. After jumping in the water around 7:00 AM, he greeted a group of surfers and exchanged pleasantries. One of the gentlemen asked if Batata recognized him.

When he apologized and said he didn’t, the unidentified man aggressively confronted him over a disagreement they’d had in the water weeks earlier. Despite his efforts to diffuse the situation, Batata was violently attacked by the man, who threw a volley of punches at his face, even trying to hold him under water. Feeling threatened, Batata paddled to shore, with his attacker hot on his heels.

What unfolded next was captured by Steamer Lane’s Surfline cameras and went viral online in the days to come. The video captures Batata skillfully subduing his attacker, moving with lightening speed to neutralize the much larger man. Instead of throwing punches, he simply wrapped the man up and asked him to apologize.

While most surfers who know Batata applauded his actions, many keyboard warriors online did not. This episode of Split Peak Soup served as an opportunity for the man to tell his side of the story, including his upbringing, why he got involved in martial arts in the first place, the importance of good surf etiquette, and how he hopes people, including his aggressor, can learn from the incident.