I think the problem with action sports today is this, when we were young, we opened a magazine and we’re left inspired and went out and tried to do it, tried to emulate it, or constantly thought about what we saw in the magazine. Now, we watch it, and then, we don’t necessarily get inspired like we used to and we try and find more content to watch, instead of being inspired. I think we don’t try and experience it ourselves as much anymore because it’s easy to find something else to watch instead of us, trying to create it ourselves. At least that’s the difference I see between my generation (I’m 43) and my kids.

I’m probably a non-traditional subscriber, so since you asked, I’ll tell ya why I’m here. I’m an old broad who grew up in California, watched the boys surf mornings before school, and covered my notebooks with Gerry Lopez photos cut out of surfer magazines. Moved away and lost touch with the sport for years. But I’d check in whenever I was in surf country and even spent part of a solo vacation on the North Shore during the Vans a couple decades back hanging in a b & b with surfers and their beautiful girlfriend/photographers. Then this year, I heard the Eddie was on and I found it on KZfaq. Holy mother of Moana I was hooked again! So I watched a lot more surfing videos and ended up subscribing to 2. This one and the Nate and Koa podcast. I just love the mellow vibe, the lovely views, the gorgeous boys and pretty girls, the insight into your lives, the relaxing surfing style, and the laughs I always get at your silly youthfulness. Keep living and documenting your authentic life, and I’ll keep clicking that damn like button!

I like the new era. I grew up as an east coast surfer, reading Surfer magazine, dreaming of living on the NS. Now. guys like you and Nate, you dont have to do the contest circus BS, and can surf free, still making a good living. Plus, both of you take average joe surfers like me, let us look into the NS lifestyle, and life of a professional level surfer. It's amazing. I am so appreciative. It is as close as it gets to living the lifestyle I used to dream about.

I think social media provides surfers with a unique opportunity to be more authentic, which is what many of us love about it. However, being authentic also means being vulnerable, which can be dangerous. Thank you so much for this great content!

I have a buddy who has done art work on boards for 25+ years, an incredible talent. I never hear mention of the artist who do you Pizel Prizes.

"The times they are a'changin'" Thanks always for the insight Koa, delivered in your iconic, almost laconic, fashion! As a 45 Yr old surfer, I also used to love the surf magazines for inspiration and a way of connecting to the sport that my friends and I loved. I even worked at my local surf shop for a year and a half, hoping without any reasonable cause, that I would meet someone who would sponsor me and help me go pro. It did not happen. I did not have the talent and it felt as though an entire industry was only available to the chosen few through the big corporate gate keepers of brands and magazines. I'm delighted to have KZfaq as my "magazine" now, and like you said, even if the "standard" has kind of dropped, people like yourselves and Nate have been able to build careers and achieve your goals by making films that lift the curtain on the life, I and millions like me, think we wanted. I love your films, you deliver in such a distinctly Koa Rothman way, that you are your own brand and your viewers love to consume your content. Same with Nate. You two superhumans give us access in the water, and off it. Huge thanks for doing what you do and for sharing your thoughts, your waves AND your AMAZING Podcast with us. You've both helped massively to get me through a long UK winter, we've just had more snow! 🤣 Respect 👊🏼 🙏 🫡 ✨️🤙

About that Blenders logo: How many of us have written birthday cards and ran out of room? HAPPY BIRTHD.. ah crap. Out of room. -ay

I hate smart phones with a vengeance so I would say the Tracks magazine era was the best. You could rock up to a local spot with no-one out mid week and get a days worth of waves with just a few guys. Now they show up with their phones, Instagram it straight away and next minute 60 ball draggers are on the peak.

Can I ask how much you make annually? What are your long term financial plans? I wish you the best and hope you can get paid to surf as long as you are able and having fun.

Koa jack thank you 😃🤙 all the 80’s board designs you have been using look insane

I don't watch any other surfers. I like your channel though and watch every video. The travelling, your personality, the action shots are all worth watching.

Great to see Nathan surfing again!🙌🤙

Nice work all you guys from the norfh shore !! Very good videos & surfing performance !! That 6'8" looks 👌 great and I know is gone a be magic !!! You are gone a liked 👍 !!! Nathan Florence super good and humble too !!! Keep on ripping 🙏 !!!

haha sooo funny. Hey Koa, on your TV in the backround, it shows the lake in Switzerland where I grew up (SISIKON)😳...made my day 🤗

I miss the magazines also, but love having all the videos at my fingertips.

Another aspect today is the pro surfer business owner who reps and promotes his own product and team. Guys like Keko Cazimero who abandoned tours and chasing sponsors and decide to go all in with owning a clothing or accessories line. Gotta give these surfers props as they not only find a way to pay themselves but also manage to promote other up and coming surfers. When I found out Zeke Lau was no longer on QS but managed to land a deal with Kekoa and his AWA brand that just confirmed it for me. Zeke is top of his game with both CT and QS and putting out good content (though less consistent) and yet he still fell victim to the big brands consolidating their roster of sponsored riders.

I like the idea of someone shredding it like no other but living a quiet modest life under the radar doesn’t need any affirmation. I think that’s the spirit of surfing that’s been lost

LOVE your videos Koa and Jack! Your videos are getting even better with time! Great to see "Nate Dog" back in the water!!

Everyone can build on honesty and everyone will want a piece of it.. especially today.. but do it with love man… whatever they choose to do.. will show whos true bro ..

That's a really new way to follow for sure. Today is more eazy to sale the sponsors stuffs. Because a lot surfers have a good support and a team (Manager, coach, mind work, body work), behind him. That's to compared by 20 years ago, when surfers had only clothes and accessories to try to sale, to live, to travel, to study, to compete, to eat, to sleep... I wish you all guys keeping focused and realize your dreams ! ! ! God Bless ! ! ! Cheers guys ! ! ! Aloha 🤙🤙🤙

I miss the epic magazine pics. I don’t get to travel much anymore so I live vicariously thru your vids. The north shore fellas bringing their vibes to other shores is fun to watch

No problem I never used traction pads surfboard still works

im loling at the end with the hadn written sponser hahahahahahahah koa is so unintentionally funny its great

You your people nathan his people bro you can change the world dude.. you dont even have to do anything but be yourself more. Thats freedom. Instead of less. At the same time growing. The people love you man. The surfers love you. You all love each other. We all one community. Its the whole world its not just surf. We need to take a step back look at what we are doing think about things and do it better cause we can. If everyone cones together dude we got more money even ill pitch in my two cents we just need to work collectively for what right not lies. Independence for all. People should be able to choose how to live. Let them grow thats everyone including surfers. We need to stop listening to lies man. And theres really no pressure to it ask and you shall receive bro the people will do half the work i promise. Like i said we will get there together .

Every time I see the Yellow on surfboards I think of what the navy says about sharks and yellow. "Yum Yum Yellow" lol I love seeing a very talented surfer. I think it is sad that someone who is super talented surfing might not have the personality for video and won't be able to make a living surfing, even if they are the best. Seems that more energy will be going in to creating well edited videos and less on perfecting surfing.

I love where the surf world was, as it is now and I’m sure I’ll love where it ends up as well. Todays connectivity through such things like social media only helps to expand the true meaning of what you/we do…

Those boards are sick Koa. Keep it up! Still watching brudah!

I am not a surfer but I love to watch surfing KZfaq channels. There is something so relaxing to watch you guys/gals effortlessly carve a wave, or get radically barreled.

Trying to listen to Nate talk on the phone in the background while Koa talks is the same vibe as watching someone else’s movie on a plane while I have one playing too.

I think theres more opportunity now to make money as you said but I miss magazines too and wish that talent factored in before personality. Happily you have both Koa. Thanks Jack and Koa!

It can't be more sober than this. I did enjoy this video but... from minute 11:59 and so on... it just gave me goose bumps. This is quality info applied to any kind of activity nowadays. 🤘

I like how there are more options and ways of being creative with being a pro surfer. I think it’s fine that now personality is more emphasized since that just means you have to be chill and not a dick along with being a good surfer. You and Nate for example aren’t showmen or entertainers, just cool guys and that comes across naturally because you’re doing what you love.

We all finding our way man.. much love bro… i respect it .. real

I’ve been going through it. For some reason watching your videos always bring me back lmao🤞🏼

Great wrap up for young crew Koa. Truthful and well rounded.

I’d rather watch a This is Livin’ video than a contest any day!

1:41 Koa would make a great weatherman! That board reminds me of Odd Rods bubble gum trading cards from the ‘70’s.

I like being able to connect with my favourite surfers through the vlogs (Nate and Koa). But overall I'm wary of our new "algorithmic-culture". Authenticity is what I crave. I love seeing people who are being real, being human, just... being! Without all the grift and bullshit hustle. Developing the ability to pull into a 10-foot pit is something sublime. It's beautiful. I love that humans do this. I think they are in touch with a different level of experience that most of us are unaware of. I just want these surfers to be happy and real, content, make enough money, and not have to grind themselves into dust in service of the algorithm, or the brands.

Nice to see New Zealand on your TV background! Keep it Up. Love the channel :)

Pyzel, make Koa a Bread Stick and he'll mention you as a sponsor! 😂I damn sure miss magazines! It was all we knew, and the way we got our information in my era, which was 60s-80s for the most part. Magazines, and the occasional film, is how we learned about exotic places and kept up with the world surfers. It's the only way I knew what Rabbit Bartholomew, Gerry Lopez, or Shaun Tomson were doing! And those damn photos would just transport you!! Glad I kept a lot of back issues! Think I'll go through those boxes and see what Ian Cairns, Peter Townend, Mark Richards, Michael Ho and the boys are up to!

As a uk surfer in my 40’s, I used to love buying Surfer mags to see the pro surfers world wide and I’d dream of one day visiting and experiencing something I’d seen in a mag. Now, although we don’t all necessarily get to travel to NS, Cali, Tahiti, Fiji, wherever, guys like you, Nate, Jamie, Beefs take us to those places on KZfaq and allow us to live just a little bit of that dream. It’s awesome what you guys do, how you make it work as a career. Like everything, surfing and it’s exposure to the world has evolved and I personally love the direction it’s going in. Keep doing what you do and allowing us to live just a little of the dream

I never noticed your glasses brand until this episode.

Love the interaction between surfers and friends plus u can tell who is good as that's paramount for appreciation of the sport

Still have Free Surf mag from Hawaii. Love picking the latest issue up at my local surf shop. Keep the great Vlogs coming Koa. Always look forward to watching them. Keep the stoke!!!

Well said and thoughtful video You are well aware for your age and a deep thinker Best to you and yours 777

Rad video K, I’m with you it’s never been better to make money surfing, but I do feel for those guys that rip but like you said just don’t have the charisma. Hopefully it just keeps growing

IMO surfing has more opportunities than ever thanks to the likes of JOB, Ben gravy, yourself, Nate etc. I think it’s great. It gives even an average surfers like myself to do what you love and potentially make a living off of it without even competing or traveling all the time. Make good quality content, and people will flock! Great insights.

Right when you were talking about surf magazines and getting inspired, the tv behind you said Mount Aspiring, that was heavy.

I love yours and Nate's content. More relatable and authentic compared to the circuit guys. And plus it feels like we get inside knowledge. The new era is dope!

hahaha I laughed so hard with the little "s" on the board

The commitment to BLENDERS is god tier 😂🤙

I think it's the same with KZfaq as it was with magazines. You're doing great. I can tell you have lots of experience. No worries opportunity doesn't always seem like you're going anywhere. The videos are awesome. Thank you for sharing.

Great Work Koa!! Motivation is Inspiration⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Love the old school photos with your family🌊🏄🏽‍♂️💦❤️⭐️🎶🎹

#7 oh yeah,I'm commenting even before finishing the video. I hear Nathan's voice before I see him. You guy's are AWESOME!!!!! Keep it going. I wish I could watch you compete in Portugal and the tour.

You guys are great to watch!

The same thing is happening in a lot of sports where reach matters as much as skill level nowadays. I've seen it a lot in mountain biking, where some professional downhill/enduro riders are not sponsored and youtubers have a few sponsors. I think it comes down to the reach. People tend to like having relatable people to follow where they can compared their skill levels with youtubers for example.

Back in the day I studied the surfing magazines. I could name almost any surfer in the picture even the way less popular ones but where great. I remembered them which is surprising because I forget someone’s name two seconds after they tell me.

The blenders sharpie logo had me dead 😂😂

On your Podcast bring on the dude that paints that board that's amazing that dude is amazing bring him on the Podcast

I love the yellow surf board design. It reminds me of sun and it's kick ass flames.

Thanks for the insight into the marketing side of the surf industry. I have mixed feelings about the evolution. Social media is all well and good, but it doesn't feel tangible to me. Magazines were something like a badge of honor. To make a cover or get a full page spread was life changing and almost immortalizing. It was in print, it was forever. (I made 2 BMX magazine covers in the 70s and they give me credibility all over the world 40+ years later) I appreciate this medium as much for the visuals of your world travels. Places I may never get to visit in person I can see vicariously through your adventures. You do have to be a somewhat engaging individual (which you are) and present yourself well on camera (again which you do). If I was not recently retired I doubt I would be spending this much time watching these kinds of videos. I wish you well on this adventure. My only advise would be to plan for your future if you can. It will sneak up on you quicker than you think and this medium or your ability to perform at the level you are at now can change quickly.

Getting more comfortable in front of the camera 🤙🏾🤙🏾 this was dope, bodyboarding is going in a great direction as well

SO true. Luke, who won the Eddie this year didn't even have Instagram at the time

Sick video. Tried buying surf mag the other day for reading on the plane. Not a single surf mag for sale. That was NZ in the back round on your TV. NICE!!

Blend of personality and talent is more attractive than primarily just talent. People care more now about life outside of just winning or being the most skilled. Great video...interesting hearing you dig into details.

I agree with how sad it seems that we don't have magazines anymore. We get everything instantly but it feels less authentic in a way. I wish times were simpler like that again.

With you on the magazine thing for sure; social media can’t be the only way we communicate; room for paper too. Remember to order those Blenders stickers!!

I’m confused why any CT Surfer would have no sponsors. Just because they have no following on social media?

It was always fun cutting your favourites out of your fave magazine and sticking them on your school booked walls etc. Also I liked the little cartoons they had in MBUK (mountain bike UK) called mint sauce!

You and the boys deserve it all Koa!

Old era was wayyyy better. Now we are subjected to having to watch mids surfers like Koa just because they have an KZfaq channel and smoke tree. The guy can't even do an air... Jk Koa, love the videos. Please keep it up. The lifestyle stuff is just as good as the surfing, its a better recipe than strictly watching heats.

I like a little bit of old and new. I totally understand about missing that surf magazine in your hand.

I think it had to evolve because many people don’t live near competitions, would not travel just to see one, and don’t watch them on TV. But they will watch surfing on youtube because it adds a story and entertainment, and advertisers get way more access to their target consumers.

Part of it technology. It got cheaper. You don't need a full production company, helicopters etc... If you are a decent surfer,with personality and likeable with Go Pros, drones, etc you can do it.

I would definetly buy a Surf Magazin! Like we did back in the days buying magazines about skateboarding, basketball etc, which was always a great inspiration. Koa, how cool it would be releasing a local surf magazin about the surfers on your island incl tipps $ tricks about surfing in general and insights.

Great job, Koa... live your dream whatever it is!

I AGREE with your over all angles. Talent is way more important to the life of anything.....image sells..but you cant build structure on image

I love all the video content but I miss great surf films. “View From a Blue Moon” hit a pinnacle like “The Endless Summer” did. That’s why you’re channel is so great because it gives a life style & personality not just surf clips to music. With you, your brother & JOB’s channels we get invested you as people, not just surfing.

by the way, i'm a fan of the personal 'vlog', but hope we can structure support from the supporter, surfer, fan, and not the corporate plastic maker.

miss the old days of anticipation for the new magazines to come out. social media is cool if done right like you're doing. humble and quality content. not being a douche or a poser.

It's the usual story of "..be careful what you ask for as you just might get it." The goal for professional surfing has been to remain competitive, grow in relevance and capture audience on a global stage. Like all professional sports this goal becomes underpinned by $$$ and sponsorships to achieve any chance of success. Evolution is paramount and this means over time some elements will and have become redundant - eg surf mags and btw I agree with your comments - it's sad. But on the other hand I think people are actually interested in the life and lifestyle of surfers. So personality can count for a lot in this new phase. The Apple TV concept you mention allows us a peek inside a professional surfer's life (well maybe just a little bit) - but it gives us so much more context, rather than seeing them just winning or losing heats etc. Getting insights into say Tatiana or Owen gives a whole new appreciation of what it's like to win and lose ... and of course the speed bumps they had to encounter along the way shows they're just normal people with the same "life" stuff going on as us, who just happen to be shit hot surfers. Most surfers are also not just interested in the tour and this is where you and others come in. The stuff you're doing Koa keeps it real and by giving your honest thoughts like you've done in this video (hope Blenders were ok with your branding bastardisation) and even your recent video on localism made me think about it from a completely different (ie positive) perspective. Keep it going Koa and keep reinventing yourself too!! Now... back to Nate's Scotland trip...

Thanks for uploading this since I'm not gonna pay to watch the Stab series 😂😂😂

HAPPY SURFING FROM VB/VIRGINIA BEACH!!!!!

I love u guys videos… i was just wondering what you guys do after the sun goes down

I grew up on those mags......just something about them was so cool.....things were not as saturated back then....now, if something isnt just totally crazy, you just tend to go right by it....

Thanks Koa, for such great insight. It's really sad that surfing doesn't get the sponsorships they deserve, Tour surferinh AND big wave surfing. Eventually it will happen, just need one guy to get the mainstream media drooling, and then all will benefit.

Miss the mags! Maybe it my age of 43 but still picking up my collection like you said and be inspired!! You said it bro!! Maybe you’re missing a calling. Interactive advertising by 2d. Many ideas are running through my dome. Still feel the nostalgia opening up a mag like Cold Sweat blew my mind. Alsoyou have sunshine AI. They just still have a place in your closet or under your glass coffee table or framed on your wall. 🧐

Def miss the magazines. They were all we had back in the day used to love flipping through the pages being amazed seeing little John John killing it or any of Da hui boys killing it. Seems like social media would make it a little more hard for some because if they don’t have that personality then they cannot rely on that but I personally like being able to experience your guys lives through watching your content.

Saaaaweeet color scheme and design!!!!!!

Talent before personality. Lots of you talented guys are funny and interesting--so we're not missing out on the personality/entertainment factor. Plus it's fascinating to watch the talent goofing off somewhere and then the waves start firing--seeing the "switch" from goof-off to wave predator is awesome.

Ghost surf overlaps or something like overlaps or something on the side of the island where the West and the Easter North and South touch

I noticed you didn’t mention Pyzel? I’ve always wondered how that worked for all you guys on the North Shore!

I used to hate on energy drinks but these days I see a sticker on my favorite guys boards and just think "glad that guy's making some". Keen for all of us to make a little more to be honest. One thing about social media is there are more interesting niches out there, like I like see cold water stuff or JJFs sailing stuff

Hey Koa I'm with you on the magazines man I must have been 16 years old when I first saw John John Florence in transworld with his bio on watching Tom & Jerry and shit and Im 35 now but at the time it really did inspired me to see a kid a few years younger just Killin the game along with Bruce, Andy, and ☀️. Even skate mags provided the most important persuaders at every turn of the page to a young man's dreams. There's just something about it maybe I'm old school already but I went to rehab a few years ago and couldn't have a cell phone or access to any technology whatsoever for 2 years, I know insane, but anywho on my first family visit I go into Barnes and noble to get a transworld surf mag in Asheville NC and there's nothing there not even a snowboard mag.

We need some more JBG's, Pancho Sullivan's, Sunny Garcia's, Margo's and Occilupo's!!! (Brand.)

Was that intentional with the Blenders? You inspired some reverse marketing by having no stickers! I think the new way is much better. The CT is dying a death because it's repetitive and it's been taken over by the usual corporate wokism. You guys are developing new content, seem like you're genuine and relatable. In a funny way it's a bit like the old stories from the surf mags, except we can see you surfing and see your experience...

Koa - this is GREAT Intel on the North Shore Posse Day-to-Day financials WHAT I wanna know is THIS what’s the story on Jamie’s ultra PIPE HALE? does he OWN it ? How does he feed the mortgage, his new boat is it ALL Red BULL and KZfaq income ??? How’d he go from renting with his dad to OWNING a million dollar place at Backdoor ??? GREAT sound editing too !!

I thought you were also sponsored by Pyzel, but you didn't mention them. I find it interesting, and with the sheer hours and years of surfing under your belt it's not that surprising I guess, that you can tell the difference between a 6'6 and a 6'8 board. It doesn't seem like 2" would make such a difference (though my wife assures me it can and does lol).

Fascinating insight, Koa. Thanks for sharing. #ThisIsLIvin'

annnnnnnd just like that, somehow, Blenders no longer a sponsor. JK. Honestly, that probably got MORE people going to their website! All I own are Blenders sunglasses, for the record. I love them.