Only The Very Best Moments From Drive-Thru - Stab Mag

Live Now — Premium Peek — Episode 4 Of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

3442 Views
Name that song. (Ooooh, OOOoooh, oooooh...)

Only The Very Best Moments From Drive-Thru

The cast of Drive-Thru 10 is still flying high off this trip.

news // Apr 22, 2022
Words by Taylor Paul
Reading Time: 4 minutes

As a young professional surfer, you never expect the gravy train to end. When it inevitably does, you never expect it to return. 

In his early teens, when Benji Weatherly began surfing professionally, he quit school and bought a suit. When he stopped surfing professional, he gave thanks and got a job. Lots of ‘em.

This season in Hawaii, Benji told us a story about a gig he had paving highways in the middle of the night, and how his rig broke down at 2 a.m. on his first shift. Do you think Benji, while kneeling on the tropical tarmac trying to fix his machine, ever thought he’d be back in an RV on a surf trip? Reviving his favorite series? With Dane Reynolds, Parker Coffin, and Griffin Colapinto no less? 

No way, in his mind, those days were gone. And Donavon? C’mon. Donavon’s musician now. 

Donny’s back, and he’s stolen Slater’s board.

Everyone has their reasons to love the new and improved Drive-Thru series. The seamless blend of top-notch surfing and feel-good shenanigans has our subscribers saying things like: 

“this series might just be the greatest thing ever”

“thank you soooo muchhhhhhhhhh this was the best mood lifter fun thing we’ve watched in a whileeee and gona watch it so many times. love you stab <3” 

“I think we can all agree….this is entertaining. Benji rules. More Benji.”

Yes, more Benji, please.

They’re right, of course. But what makes this Drive-Thru so special in my mind is the perfect mix of old and new. From the very first episode, it’s blatantly obvious how grateful Benji and Donovan are to be there, and their perspective and enthusiasm is contagious, seeping into the younger generation. Even Kelly, who obviously has never considered not having a pro surfing career, dropped his guard and mentored the kids (as you’ll learn in later episodes).

Which takes a series that could easily be written off as shallow, and gives it some depth.  

That’s just me, though. I wasn’t there. But I did ask a bunch of people that were…

What was your favorite part of the Drive-Thru?

Benji Weatherly: Having Dane Reynolds on it. He’s always been someone I wanted on a Drive-Thru because he’s the most honest, real human being on the planet. And I think that’s what the Drive-Thru really represents, is honesty, in good or bad situations. Whether we were surfing or jumping off cliffs or just being complete jackasses, having him on the trip was my favorite part.

Griffin Colapinto: The moment that stands out most in my head is when Benji had to take a shit on the side of the road [21 mins] and it made Nate Leal barf from just smelling it. Yep, that’s the one.

Nate Leal [Filmer]: When Greg [Browning] missed Kelly’s air [23:07] and it gave him PTSD from when he missed Kelly’s air 25 years ago in France. 

Greg Browning [Creator]: Getting to edit the shows and relive the adventure. Being on the road goes so fast and it’s hard to take everything in as it happens. and getting to replay all the classic moments and watching the level of surfing from the new cast was so fun. Also, getting to have my son join us at the Surf Ranch was all time! Both my boys grew up with Dad being gone filming, so to have it come full circle with them being a part of it was beyond words.

Hendrix Frankenreiter: Going up to the Surf Ranch with the whole crew, with no pressure, just having fun on soft boards, trading off waves with Kelly, laughing until we’re crying. That was one of the most fun days I’ve ever had. I’ll never forget it.

Donavon Frankenreiter: Hanging out with the GOAT, Kelly Slater. It was amazing being with him in his hometown of Cocoa Beach, Florida. He showed us his house, his whole quiver [7:55] that he’s collected over the history of his career. Just getting that experience was the highlight for me.

Eric Geiselman: Having those guys come to Florida. After one long day of Drive-Thru activities, everyone was able to come play music at my buddy Zach Marks’ family farm [coming episode 8]. Donovan and Kelly were jamming, Griffin got on the mic and everyone grabbed instruments and made a bunch of noise. That was great to change it up a bit and I think everyone had a lot of fun. 

Everyone. Must. Join. Shortly after, Griffin grabbed the mic. Coming in episode 8.

Parker Coffin: Being on stage with Pennywise singing Bro Hymn [coming episode 9]. I grew up listening to that song and to be there doing that with Benji and Donavon, who did these films I grew up watching, and being there with the new crew, some of my best friends, it was just crazy. One of those things you’d only get to do on a Drive-Thru, on stage looking out at 50,000 people. We got to experience what those rock star guys feel, getting off stage with a crazy rush of adrenaline. Everyone just felt super connected when we left. Definitely one of the highlights of my life.

What’s your favorite part so far?

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

So, Who’s Gonna Make The Final Five?

One event to go. We did the math so you don't have to.

Jul 18, 2025

Power Surfing Isn’t Dead

Connor O'Leary & Gabriela Bryan assert their strength at rifling J-Bay, win their first and…

Jul 18, 2025

WSL Changes Fiji Format One Month Before Finals — Carissa Moore And CJ Hobgood React

"Does it really matter at this point?"

Jul 18, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 4

Our surfers' most dreaded challenge: The Zero Sum Game.

Jul 17, 2025

“My Feet Are Completely Fucked. I Didn’t Expect Them To Get This Infected And Mouldy.”

A mid-world record check-in with Blakey Johnston.

Jul 17, 2025

Why The Surf Industry’s Kingmakers Are Betting On Florence

Pat O’Connell and Evan Slater on why ex-Volcom, Billabong and Hurley CEOs are riding shotgun.

Jul 16, 2025

Mixed Symmetry — The Surfboards Of Milk & Honey 

As told by Stephanie Gilmore, Caity Simmers, Coco Ho, and Frankie Harrer

Jul 16, 2025

Cloud 9 Becomes First Surf Break To Outlaw Beginner Surf Lessons

Time to make it a universal ruling at sketchy reef breaks? A local photographer explains.

Jul 15, 2025

10 Shapers To Watch In The Next 10 Years — Part Two

A few more foam craftsmen worth keeping on your radar.

Jul 14, 2025

Watch: Rip Curl Mobilises Its Teenage Army In ‘Dunno’

A 30-minute surf film by Vaughan Blakey and Nick Pollet.

Jul 14, 2025

There’s A New Number One Surfer In The World

And it feels so right.

Jul 13, 2025

Controversial Opinion: No One Needs To Yoga In Boardshorts

8 Trunks for the traditionalist.

Jul 13, 2025

Stab Edit Of The Year: Sam Piter Stars in ‘Rogue DNA’.

French blood, thick water.

Jul 13, 2025

Matty McG Skydives Into CT Heat, But Jordy’s Still The Main Event

A full day of heats at J-Bay, and only one shark warning.

Jul 12, 2025

Correction: J-Bay All Foreplay, No Climax

Slim pickings on Day 1 of the Corona Cero Open J-Bay 2025.

Jul 11, 2025

What Do Hollywood, Surf Lessons, Michael Jackson And Traction Pads Have In Common?

A Stab Interview with Teva Dexter, the man behind surfing's hardest new hardware brand —…

Jul 10, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 3

"The tribe has spoken," Dane Reynolds pronounced, and a surfer's torch was snuffed.

Jul 10, 2025

How Josh Ku Nearly Died Trying To Cross From Ulus to G Land by Hydrofoil

“If someone finds me dead at least they can find my phone and know what…

Jul 10, 2025
Advertisement