Vast Lives

Cassiem Collier, is a leader and elder in the Muizenberg Cape Town Surfing community.

Banner Image Credit : Nic Bothma

In this episode 29 of the Vast Lives podcast.

Steve and Cass sit down for a cup of coffee and fond recollection of the indellibale mark he and Ian Armstrong left in 1999 at The Todos Santos big Wave Championship. The stage was set and the world's greatest big wave riders gathered for...

Vast Lives episode 28 with Wang Qwei also affectionately known as Queeny by her peers. Steve and Queeny discuss her role in the local surfing community but most notably her versatility and drive which has made her not only an accomplished Surfer but an Entrepreneur. 

It was clear from the outset that Queeny is passionate about her goals. During the conversation Steve was surprised to learn that she started Surfing for two ...

In this episode, Steve travels to the infamous Jeffreys Bay, South Africa—otherwise known as 
J-Bay—considered by the global surf community to be one of the finest right-hand point breaks in the world.

Steve meets with local legend Bruce Gold. And while the term “legend” is often overused, in Bruce’s case, it’s well-earned. He has been part of the J-Bay community for over six decades, dating back to the early days when...

In this episode Steve chats to Keith Kajioka, founder of Formosa Surfboards. 

Growing up in a middle-class neighborhood Keith opened up about his family challenges. Keith's experiences resonated with Steve who could relate due to having similar struggles growing up. Keith recounted his early jobs which allowed him to surf during the day. His passion for surfing was clear, and a priority for him over school, which led to some tr...

In this episode, Steve sat down with the talented and multifaceted artist Rima. They quickly built rapport around their joint appreciation for the natural beauty of coastal Taiwan. These places are vitally important to Rima for grounding herself and reconnecting with nature.

Rima was raised in Taiwan which, combined with her Lebanese heritage meant that she was constantly exposed to many languages and cultures. She discussed ho...

In this episode, Steve meets Mick Yu Tsang Chou — founder, shopkeeper, and unlikely surf evangelist — whose boutique surf shop quietly anchors a growing community on the fringes of Taipei’s fast-paced urban life.

o From Taipei’s dense streets to the open water: how Mick discovered surfing at 20 and cultivated a deep connection with nature.

o A formative stint in California’s Orange County, where surf culture is as...

Join Steve as he travels to the scenic east coast of Taiwan to sit down with Josh Campbell, co-founder of Taiwanderful Recycle Co, for an inspiring conversation about innovative recycling solutions and community engagement. Discover how this unique studio is transforming plastic waste into purposeful products through education and hands-on involvement.

o - Steve's visit to Donghe and the importance of clean, sorted wa...

It was a rainy evening, Steve and some of the Vast crew visited Jim Hayes surf shop Tropical Blends based in Ji'an. The day had been packed with surf exploration in and around Hualien County, Taiwan. As the crew caught their breath they were mesmerised by the scent of resin, wood and surf wax. A space where any surfer would admit to having a sensory overload.

As Steve and Jim dived into their conversation, Jim reminis...

In Episode 21 of the latest Vast Lives podcast Steve sits down with Jaz Kaner — Jaz is not just a stand-up comic but a musician who runs a surf school Banzai, all the way in Huntington Beach California. They ended up recording at the Vast surf shop tucked away in downtown Taiwan, a backdrop that perfectly captured the discussion about a recent, pretty wild island trip filled with nature, killer surf spots, and plenty of tasty bites...

In this episode 20 of the Vast Lives podcast. Steve and well respected artist OK Liao sat down to get deep about a few subjects close to OK's heart. OK's home is adorned with art and memorabilia that gives one the feeling of a warm welcoming Aloha spirit.

His home and studio are a testament to his love for Hawaii and the Ocean in general. A palette of minty greens and dusty pink's collide in harmony on the w...

In this much anticipated episode 19 of the Vast Lives Podcast, Steve get's a chance to have a discussion with Jun Jo—a surfer with a creative twist—in a beautiful field near Taichung, Taiwan. It was all part of a long, winding 10‑year friendship tour, Steve felt lucky to listen in as Jun unraveled his own journey from wave riding to making bold moves in the creative world.

The conversation jumped straight into Jun&apo...

In episode 18 of the Vast LIves Podcast, Steve Shooter visits the beautiful farm of Yvonne and Rachel, two passionate beekeepers who are based close to Kenting National Park in Taiwan. Surrounded by the sounds of bees buzzing and nature's beauty, Steve discovers their unconventional path to becoming beekeepers and how they fell in love with nature.

The discussion started by learning about the incredible world of bees,...

Vast Lives Ep. 16: Sam Yang
 
In this episode of Vast Lives podcast, Steve Shooter sits down with Sam Yang, the founder of VAST, at their Taipei HQ. They discussed the brand's ten-year history, how Taiwan developed its surf culture, and why sustainability matters now.

The conversation starts with talking about the recent 10-year friendship tour in Taiwan, its landscapes, cultures, and foods. Sam thanked the su...

In this episode 17 of Vast Lives, host Steve Shooter sits down with multi-talented Birdy Nio, a film director, handpan musician, and surfer, in vibrant Taipei. Birdy is a free-spirited and introspective individual who draws inspiration from the world around him.
His filmmaking career started in a passion for breakdancing, where he would record himself and create projects for his friends and local artists.

Birdy emphasi...

Join us in this inspiring episode of The Vast Lives podcast as we sit down with Peter Panjaitan, a passionate surfer and the driving force behind the Bali Life Foundation. Recorded in a beautiful studio setting, Peter shares his incredible journey from the corporate world to dedicating his life to helping underprivileged children and families in Bali.

In this episode, we discuss:

The warmth and community spirit of...

Vast. Lives Ep. 14: Betet Merta aka Da Guy

In this episode, I had a chance to sit down with my good friend Betet Merta aka Da Guy in the newly opened surf store called Outside Corner, right in the heart of Uluwatu. Abuzz with surfers and shoppers I could feel he had created a space that is representative of himself & the local surfing community.
 
We started with his excitement about the store's opening an...

Vast Lives Podcast 13- Matt George 

In this episode 13 of the Vast Lives podcast, Steve Shooter had the great honor of sharing with Matt George, a living legend in the surfing world and a tireless promoter of the deeper meanings that come from our beloved sport. The discussion ranges from the evolution of surfing culture, modern communication, and the importance of storytelling in keeping the soul of surfing alive.

The discussion b...

In this episode of our podcast, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Rizal Tanjung, a renowned figure in the surfing world and a successful entrepreneur. We began our conversation with a warm exchange, where I expressed my gratitude for his hospitality in his beautiful home overlooking Jimbaran Bay.

Rizal took me on a nostalgic journey, reflecting on his early days in surfing, starting with the Bali Surfing Club in the ...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with a long-time resident of Bali, who has spent nearly 15 years on the island, primarily in Uluwatu. Our conversation delved into the significant changes Bali has undergone over the years, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, which has accelerated growth and transformation in the region. We discussed the balance between the allure of Bali's lifestyle and the challenges pose...