Stab Podcast: The World’s Best Surfer is Back - Stab Mag

Watch: Episode 1 of the Surf100 Challenger Series presented by Pacifico

403 Views
Punta Roca isn't too dissimilar to Lowers right, is it? Photo by WSL/Aaron Hughes

Stab Podcast: The World’s Best Surfer is Back

John-John clinches final 5 berth, Yago guzzles sacred milk of the Baird’s Tapir, and Stace Galbraith makes a strong case for knowing thy enemy.

elsewhere // Jun 12, 2024
Words by Jack O'Neill Paterson
Reading Time: 2 minutes

El Salvador’s sophomore year on the CT suggests that President Nayib Bukele may be a sensible dreamer. The 170 million dollars he has pledged to invest to promote surf tourism in his country appears to be paying off swimmingly. The waves pumped, the country feels safe and, most importantly, the comp has given us a hell of a lot to talk about.

In this week’s episode of The Drop, Mikey and Stace probe for reason, burrow for truth, and comb out all entanglements from the curious happenings on the beach of Punta Roca.

Stace, who has obviously been reading the Art of War, makes a strong case for studying your foe. If you know the enemy and yourself, says the ancient Chinese military text, then you needn’t fear the result of the battle. 

Stace reckons that Griff, who has clearly done the time traversing the plains of his inner-self, would benefit from focusing his energy outward and learning his competition. The now infamous interference call on Griff, which was heavily manufactured by João, was merely a matter of underestimating an opponent with a known history of employing tenacious competitive tactics. 

“You’ve gotta profile your competitors,” Says Stace. “If Griffen didn’t think João Chianca would do that, then he misread João Chianca.”

The boys then attempt to solve a series of arduous riddles. Can John actually win a Title at gutless Trestles? What concoction of dizzying witch-dust allowed Yago to enter aerial glitch mode? Was the momentum of the 2024 women’s revolt slowed in El Salvador? Will Molly Pickles keep her spot in the final five? Will the public be forced to choose between Stab High Japan and The VIVO Rio Pro?

If you’re burning for answers, allow the voices of Stace and Mikey C to lead you into the light. Listen to the fellas talk shop, here

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Want To Win One Of Ethan Ewing’s Stab In The Dark Boards?

We’re giving away all 12 boards to our Stab Premium members.

Jun 10, 2026

Watch Rán: A Scandinavian Surfing Saga

"I've made a lot of short films. This is the only one I'd call perfect."…

Jun 9, 2026

“Gabe Morvil Is The Best Surfer No One’s Heard Of” — Dane Reynolds

Former drops DEFECTIVE UNITS // VOL #3, starring Timo Simmers and a Wilmington sparky.

Jun 9, 2026

Op-Ed: I’ve Surfed 27 Wavepools Around The World — These Ones Are Worth The Money

An unbiased, unaffiliated reporter shares his findings.

Jun 8, 2026

Punta Roca Calls The Forecast’s Bluff

Simmers sizzles, Riss Moore launches heat-saving air rev in the dying seconds.

Jun 8, 2026

Ethan Ewing & Dane Reynolds Discuss The Best Surfboard On The Planet | StabMic Ep. 17

“I’d still rather watch Occy or Bobby surf J-Bay than some of the tour surfers.”

Jun 7, 2026

Board Dramas And Upsets Abound As Griffin & Filipe Lose Early

Meanwhile Gabby, Yago, and a hobbling Italo forge on.

Jun 6, 2026

Drug Tests, Dust Ups, And Steph & Ethan Fall Early At Punta Roca

Day one, from the rocks.

Jun 6, 2026

Recent Call List: Shaper 22, Shaper 02. Choose One.

A messy little confession about shaper honesty, backroom deals, and the six-month window Hayden Cox…

Jun 5, 2026

A Learner Surfer Might’ve Spelled An Early End To Italo’s El Salvador Campaign

World No. 1 injured by rogue logger, and a mystery wildcard emerges...

Jun 4, 2026

2026 Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico, Episode 01

Challenge 1: Our eight surfers play capture the flag at Blacks Beach.

Jun 4, 2026

“This Feels Like Something Worth Happening In Surfing”

RAGE and Former clasp hands.

Jun 4, 2026

Shane Stedman: Father, Shaper, Ugg Boot Impresario Kicks Out At 85

In memory of one of the great Australian chancers.

Jun 3, 2026

Jordy’s Out, Swell Is In, And Punta Roca Sets The Stove To Boil

A 2026 Surf City El Salvador Pro preview.

Jun 3, 2026

And The Winner Of Stab In The Dark With Ethan Ewing Is…

The man you least expected. 

Jun 1, 2026

Who Makes The Best Boardshorts In The World?

We've got the data.

Jun 1, 2026

Goofies Rule The Rankings, While The World’s Best Surfer Sits In 10th Place

What have we learned from the first third of the tour?

May 30, 2026

The Grand Finale of Stab in the Dark Starring Ethan Ewing

The (new) best high-performance surfboard on the planet, anointed.

May 29, 2026
Advertisement