EP 243: Peter ‘PT’ Townend – The 1976 surfing World Champ RETURNS to the pod, 50 years of pro surfing, the Level of competition on the CS, the Rise of the CT, Huntington Beach’s legacy, and MP stories

The first-ever World Champion and true icon of the sport, Peter “PT” Townend, returns to The Lineup after his last appearance… our very first episode. From winning the inaugural world title in 1976 to helping launch professional surfing itself, PT’s fingerprints are all over the DNA of modern surf culture. As we near the 50th anniversary of that historic moment, PT reflects on the wild early days of the tour, the evolution of the CT, and the shifting balance between soul and structure in surfing. He shares insight on his work curating the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum, his efforts behind the scenes of the Lexus US Open of Surfing, and how the Visit HB partnership is reshaping Surf City’s global presence. Plus, PT weighs in on today’s new school, shares his favorite MP story, and answers fan questions about legacy, progression, and producing cult classics like Secret Machine.  Learn more about PT here. Play WSL CT Fantasy contest and join The Lineup Podcast Mega League for a chance to win! Terms and Conditions apply. Get the latest merch at the WSL Store! The race for the Final 5 culminates at the final CT event of the regular season at the Lexus Tahiti Pro Presented by I-SEA, Aug 7 - 16. Stay tuned! Join the conversation by following The Lineup podcast with Dave Prodan on Instagram and subscribing to our YouTube channel. Get the latest WSL rankings, news, and event info. **Visit this page if you’ve been affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, and would like to volunteer or donate. Our hearts are with  you.** Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices