24 MAR 2024 · In this episode of the WeSurf podcast, Kwame LaBassiere interviews two female surfers, Berna and Beah, about their experiences in the surfing community. They discuss how they got into surfing and the challenges they faced as beginners. The conversation also touches on the importance of etiquette in the lineup and the gray areas surrounding who has the right of way. Additionally, they explore the unique experiences and perspectives of being female surfers in a predominantly male-dominated sport.  The conversation touched on various topics related to surfing, including representation in the water, and the impact of surfing on their lives. The speakers discussed the lack of diversity in surfing, with it being predominantly a sport for white cis males. They also shared their personal experiences in the water and how their gender and ethnicity may have influenced those experiences. Lastly, they discussed the positive changes that surfing has brought to their lives. They also discuss how surfing can be incorporated into a business, as Berna has done with her surf-inspired clothing brand.  The guests share their favorite pre and post-surf meals and their favorite surf spots. They also answer some fun rapid-fire questions.  They discuss the joy of catching waves and the sense of freedom and connection with nature that surfing brings. They also talk about the physical and mental challenges of surfing, including the importance of patience and perseverance. The conversation concludes with a fun segment where they answer questions about surfers and their habits. The WeSurf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. www.swellseasonsurfradio.com Follow the WeSurf Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wesurfpodcast/

26 FEB 2024 · Welcome to episode 7 of the We Surf podcast. Often you will hear surfers referred to as Wave Dancers. On this episode we meet wave dancers who are also ballet dancers. Mei and Shui Lee or as their instagram handle refers to them as The Lee Twins. Kwame discusses speaks to them about how and why they started surfing. How their dance background has helped their surfing. And some of the experiences they have had in the water, both negative and positive. Their energy is infectious and you don’t have to see them to tell that they were smiling throughout the entire conversation while simultaneously exhibiting wisdom that goes beyond their 17 years. Hope you enjoy it. The WeSurf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. www.swellseasonsurfradio.com Follow the WeSurf Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wesurfpodcast/

8 JAN 2024 · Welcome to episode 6 of the WeSurf podcast. This episode is done a little differently. Co-host Kwame Labassiere, recorded this episode while in Puerto Rico at the International Surf Therapy Organization conference. While there he interviewed professional surfer Chris Dennis from Trinidad and Tobago. Chris is the co-founder of Waves for Hope, an organization that runs youth development programs that utilize surfing and mentorship to provide positive psychology education to at-risk youths in under-served communities across Trinidad & Tobago. Kwame talks to Chris about his upbringing in Trinidad and Tobago, his journey to surfing professionally and the challenges he faced, along with his ongoing commitment to surf therapy through his organization, Waves for Hope. The conversation explores key moments and influences in Chris's life, his perspectives on surfing, and experiences on the international circuit. The back and forth is lively, peppered with humor and insightful anecdotes. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording it. To find out more about Waves for Hope go to: https://www.waves-for-hope.org/ or follow Chris Dennis at https://www.instagram.com/chrisdennis_1/ The WeSurf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. www.swellseasonsurfradio.com Follow the WeSurf Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wesurfpodcast/

19 NOV 2023 · On this episode of WeSurf Nigel and Kwame speak with documentary filmmaker and reborn surfer Mosiah Moonsammy. An award winning filmmaker based in NYC, Mosiah's last project “Last Bodega In Brooklyn” played internationally on the film festival circuit and was received with rave reviews. After meeting Nigel at Station RBNY, Mosiah became interested in telling Nigel’s story and showing the world what a black owned surf shop in the Northeast of the US means to surfers of color through his current work in progress documentary, “Black Surfers in the Concrete Jungle”. The Film explores the exposure and expansion of Black Culture through the lens of Nigel Louis and the black surfing commmunity. As always the energy is positive and the vibes as are right. To find out more about the project and other work by Mosiah go to https://www.mosiahmakesmoves.com Or you can follow him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mosiahmakesmoves/ The WeSurf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. www.swellseasonsurfradio.com Follow the WeSurf Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wesurfpodcast/

25 JAN 2023 · Happy New Year everyone! On this episode of the WeSurf Podcast we step out of Rockaway and speak to Director David Mesfin and Executive Producer Beyin Abraha of the documentary 'Wade in the Water: A Journey Into Black Surfing and Aquatic Culture.' This documentary reclaims the 1000 year old tradition of Black Surfing throughout the globe, by honoring the historical and contemporary relationship between Black people and the ocean. We discuss the documentary, the world of Black surfing and surfers, the historical common threads that bind Black surfers together and how we can support the next generation of surfers. For more information you can go to https://wadeinthewaterproject.com Or follow them on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/davidmesfinart/ The WeSurf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. www.swellseasonsurfradio.com Follow the WeSurf Podcast on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wesurfpodcast/ Music: Song: Wade in the Water Artist: Ella Jenkins Album: African American Folk Rhythms

16 SEP 2022 · On this episode of WeSurf, Nigel and Kwame have the Rockaway's own Paul Goddette and Quest Soliman to discuss their meteoric rise as Vloggers with their Youtube Channel, Stop Playin With Em. Paul and Quest have spent the good part of the last few years traveling and documenting their journey's. The conversation covers life on the road, being a black surfer in today's surf culture, the friends and family they have made while traveling and their latest film: "Stop Playin With Em". The energy and vibes radiating off these two is infectious. You will not be able to stop smiling. We hope you enjoy... Follow Quest and Paul on Instagram: @stop_playinwithem or on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBMmeNNiu_DvB9MG-rTgoBA Please excuse the audio quality. We were experimenting with new camera equipment and unfortunately the sound is a little rough. The Swell Season Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. www.swellseasonsurfradio.com

22 AUG 2022 · On this episode of WeSurf, Nigel and Kwame sit with local legend, Fernando Pires. Fernando grew up surfing on vibrant beaches of Rio de Janeiro and worked for a board maker there as a teenager before moving to New York City at age 20. He eventually realized there was surf here and moved out to the Rockaways in the early 80's. In the 1990s he opened the Secret Spot surf shop and began collecting surfboards over the years. His dream was to open a surfing museum stocked with the dozens of classic boards he has collected from all over the world. Nigel and Kwame discuss with Fernando the changes over the years in Rockaway, The forgotten art of jumping off the jetties into the lineup, his collection of boards, the surf museum and so much more. to know Fernando is to know a bit of Rockaway surf history. We hope you enjoy... The Swell Season Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network. www.swellseasonsurfradio.com Cover Photo: Mark Kauzlarich/The New York Times Music: Artist: Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto Song: Doralice Album: Getz / Gilberto

13 JUN 2022 · Welcome to the first episode of WeSurf, a Vlog & Podcast showcasing surfing through the lens of people of color, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ+ community and the average everyday surfer. This show is centered on the Rockaway Surf community as it relates to the larger surfing culture. We hope to broaden the conversation as to what it means to be a surfer. On this premiere episode, our guest, Rockaway local, model, surfer, traveler, Farmata Dia. She discusses growing up in Rockaway, finding surfing, her involvement in Laru Beya and her latest surf travel stints in Senegal and Panama. The Fun is just getting started on this first episode of WeSurf. Go to www.swellseasonsurfradio.com or follow the show on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxMtUWFjUcY https://www.larubeyacollective.com https://www.riserockaway.org Opening Song: Artist: Fela Kuti Song: Water Get No Enemy Album: FELA: The Best of The Black President