Jaz Kaner - Surfing Malibu at Midnight

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. The Vast 10 year friendship tour.

Jaz kicked things off by sharing how his view of Taiwan has really changed over the years. About a decade ago, he recalled a scene dominated by concrete and smoky vibes, but now the island bursts with greenery and a warmth, especially among the surf crowd. He even brought up a standout day in Tainan—where the local surfers were all about that “party wave” culture, echoing a laid-back, almost Aloha kind of spirit that just felt right. 

Before they spoke about his Banzai Surf School in Huntington Beach, Jaz took them on a detour through his past. He reminisced about those years hitting the road as a stand-up comic, starting out in Honolulu at the Don Ho Show, and rubbing elbows with legends like Jay Leno and Robin Williams. In most cases, his tales about switching from music to comedy in the early 80s came with a wink—like that one movie role that got axed but still managed to sprinkle some unexpected royalty cheques his way. When the discussion shifted to surfing, Jaz fondly remembered packing up for Honolulu at age 12 and plunging straight into its vibrant surf scene. 

He admitted that being a minority in Hawaii brought its own set of challenges, yet those hurdles only tuned his perspective and built up his resilience. Surfing, he pointed out in a few breathless sentences, has always been his rock, a sport that thrives on a stubborn kind of optimism. 

They also chatted about his journey into running Banzai Surf School—a venture he kicked off back in 2010. Jaz explained, with a few hesitant pauses, how COVID-19 really threw the surf world off balance, cutting down international visitors even as the global love for surfing kept its momentum. Throughout the conversation, a sunny positivity radiated from Jaz. 

As the episode wound down, they reflected over the unexpected camaraderie that blossomed during the Vast 10 year trip, reminiscing about all the little logistical puzzles they had to solve along the way. Jaz expressed a genuine thankfulness for being part of the adventure and even  hinted at maybe setting off on a sailing trip to Mexico next. 

All in all, this episode turned out to be a playful mix of humor, heartfelt reflection, and fresh insights into Jaz Kaner’s life—a man who’s perfectly at home riding waves, lighting up a stage, and soaking in the rich tapestry of diverse cultures. If you’re into surfing, comedy, and those unpredictable moments that connect us all, you might just want to join us for this episode.