The Surfer Who Turned Waves Into Art 🎨🌊 | Michael Torquato De Nicola | Temple of Surf Podcast
Release Date: 04/20/2026
The Temple of Surf Podcast
What happens when you refuse to let surfing fit into just one category? In this episode of The Temple of Surf Podcast, I sit down with Camden Hoover, a surfer whose relationship with the ocean crosses different boards, different waves, and increasingly, different sides of competitive surfing. Camden is equally comfortable expressing herself on a shortboard or a longboard, bringing an approach to surfing built around versatility, progression, style, and a genuine love for being in the water. But her journey is evolving. Beyond competing and riding waves herself, Camden has also stepped into...
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On December 23, 2024, Alessandro “Alo” Slebir rode a wave at Mavericks that immediately sent shockwaves through the surfing world. The first estimates were extraordinary. Some believed the wave could have exceeded 100 feet, potentially making it the biggest wave ever surfed. After months of analysis and debate, the official measurement came in at 76 feet—still an absolutely monumental wave and the winner of the 2025 Men’s Biggest Wave award. But this episode of The Temple of Surf Podcast is about much more than one number. It’s about the young surfer behind the wave. Based in Santa...
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From professional competition to some of the most powerful waves on the planet, Eric Rebière has lived an extraordinary surfing journey. In this episode of The Temple of Surf Podcast, I sit down with Eric Rebière, a pioneer of European professional surfing, two-time European professional champion, and the first French surfer to qualify for surfing’s elite World Tour. Eric’s story takes us back to a very different era of professional surfing. Growing up surfing in Brazil before moving to France as a teenager, Eric pursued a dream that, at the time, very few European surfers had achieved:...
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What does it take to build a life around surfing some of the most powerful waves on the planet? In this episode of The Temple of Surf Podcast, I sit down with South African big wave surfer Matt Bromley for a wide-ranging conversation about surfing, big waves, adventure, preparation, mindset, and a life shaped by the ocean. Growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, Matt developed his surfing surrounded by an extraordinary coastline and a culture of surfers willing to challenge serious waves. From an early age, the ocean became much more than a place to surf, it became the environment that...
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Welcome to another episode of The Temple of Surf Podcast. This week, we are honored to welcome one of the true pioneers of Italian surfboard shaping: Fabio Giacomini. For more than four decades, Fabio has dedicated his life to the pursuit of the perfect surfboard. Beginning his shaping journey in 1980, he became one of the first professional surfboard shapers in Italy, helping to build a surf culture in a country where the sport was still in its infancy. Through decades of research, experimentation, and craftsmanship, he has earned a reputation as one of Europe's most respected custom...
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Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Temple of Surf Podcast. This week, I am joined by Christina Gindl, Austrian big wave surfer, ocean adventurer, filmmaker, and one of the most inspiring voices in modern surfing. Born in the Austrian mountains, Christina's path to surfing was anything but conventional. After moving abroad and discovering life on the ocean, she fell in love with surfing, eventually settling in Portugal, where she has become known for charging some of the Atlantic's most powerful waves, including the legendary breaks around Nazaré and Ericeira. Today, she is also an...
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For decades, surfing has been celebrated as the ultimate expression of freedom. But who truly gets to experience that freedom? In this inspiring episode of The Temple of Surf Podcast, we welcome Yvette Cave, founder of Wave Wahines and one of the leading voices advocating for equality, diversity, and inclusion within the surfing community. Driven by the belief that the ocean should belong to everyone, Yvette has dedicated her career to breaking down barriers that prevent people from experiencing the transformative power of surfing. Through Wave Wahines, she has created opportunities...
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Welcome to another unforgettable episode of The Temple of Surf Podcast. This week, we are honored to present a truly special conversation with one of surfing's most legendary and enigmatic figures: Aaron Cormican, better known around the world as Gorkin. For decades, Gorkin has earned a cult following among surfers for his fearless approach to waves, his unmistakable style, and the stories that have become part of modern surf folklore. While many know the name, few have had the opportunity to hear directly from the man behind the legend. Making this episode even more unique is the...
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Welcome to another episode of The Temple of Surf Podcast. This week, we are honored to welcome Oscar González Torres, founder of Surfer's Hell, one of Europe's most respected names in Beligium Surf Culture. Based in Ostend, Belgium, Surfer's Hell has become synonymous with quality craftsmanship, surfboard innovation, and an unwavering dedication to the surfing lifestyle. In this fascinating conversation, Oscar shares the remarkable story behind Surfer's Hell and how a passion for surfing grew into a brand recognized throughout Europe and beyond. From shaping surfboards and developing...
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Welcome to a brand-new episode of The Temple of Surf Podcast, where we dive deep into the stories, craftsmanship, and personalities that have shaped the world of surfing. In this episode, we sit down with legendary New Zealand's surfboard shaper Roger Hall, a respected craftsman whose decades-long career has left a lasting mark on surfboard design and surf culture. Roger Hall belongs to a generation of surfboard builders who helped define the evolution of modern surfing. Through years of experimentation, innovation, and hands-on craftsmanship, he has witnessed firsthand the transformation of...
info_outlineWhat happens when surfing goes beyond the wave… and becomes pure art?
In this episode of The Temple of Surf Podcast, we sit down with surfer and surf artist Michael Torquato De Nicola, a creative force who has transformed his deep connection with the ocean into a unique artistic expression. This is not just a conversation about surfing, it’s about vision, identity, and the way the ocean shapes not only how we ride waves, but how we see the world.
Michael’s journey is a powerful blend of passion, creativity, and dedication. From his early days in the water to developing his signature artistic style, he shares how surfing influenced every aspect of his life. For Michael, the wave is not just something to ride, it’s something to interpret, to feel, and ultimately to translate into art.
Throughout the episode, we explore the intersection between surf culture and artistic expression. How does a surfer become an artist? What does it mean to capture the energy of the ocean on canvas? And how can creativity help us understand our relationship with nature on a deeper level?
Michael opens up about his creative process, the inspiration behind his work, and the challenges of staying authentic in both the surf and art worlds. His perspective is refreshing, honest, and deeply inspiring for anyone who feels drawn to the ocean—whether as a surfer, an artist, or simply someone searching for meaning in what they love.
This episode is a reminder that surfing is more than performance. It’s a lifestyle, a mindset, and for some, like Michael, a form of storytelling that goes far beyond words.
If you love surfing, creativity, and the stories behind the people who dedicate their lives to the ocean, this conversation is for you.
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