Only The Very Best Moments From Drive-Thru
The cast of Drive-Thru 10 is still flying high off this trip.
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.
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.”
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.
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?
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