Stab Podcast: The Greatest Underdog Story

Four man heats held over a mere 20 minutes should be illegal.

Yet that’s the standard in the early rounds for many legitimate professional surfing contest. So much to do, so little time. This week’s episode of The Drop kicks off with the analysis of one of those heats, perhaps the most anticipated matchup in the Round of 96 at the 2026 Garabito Pro (apologies, Hayden Rodgers and Alana Lopez).

In case you missed it, last week Mikey C made his much anticipated return to the Qualifying Series after a 12 year hiatus. In the end, Mikey’s initial hypothesis proved correct. A mere 10.20 heat total would have advanced him. The problem? He posted an agonizingly close 9.55. Somewhere, Jadson Andre is shaking his head.  

Speaking of drama filled returns, you cop EAST yet? The first installment of the Electric Acid Surfboard Test starring Harry Bryant is live, featuring four boards with polarizing paint jobs unsheathed at a roping left point in Central America. The varied quiver from Ashton Pickle, Greg Brown, Tom Morat and Corey Munn each get a crack, with mixed results. 

If Mikey February’s edition was a smooth, tension-free alt ride, then this veers into the opposite lane. Harry is unapologetic and offers feedback without pretense or remorse. From the spray to the fins to how it holds on rail, Harry’s got his preferences and ain’t shy about it. Another notable feature in this season’s episodes: we see each shaper’s live reactions to how Harry takes to their creation. They laugh, cringe, critique and offer surfboard insights we may not have known otherwise. Well played, Danny Johnson.  

Mikey and Buck then highlight a practical guide for which bikinis are actually best to surf in (with help from Coral McDuffee), before reveling in the improbable run of Seth Moniz and Erin Brooks win the 2026 Tahiti Pro. Consider the fact that Seth had not made a single heat prior to Tahiti, the seventh tour stop this season. Mikey makes a great point on the murderer’s row Seth faced (in order of appearance): Eimeo Czermak, Yago Dora, Barron Mamiya, Italo Ferreira and Griffin Colapinto. Meanwhile, Erin came back from combination with seven minutes left in the final to win her first event as a full-time CT surfer at 19 years old. With multiple hollow lefts breaking over reef still on the schedule (Fiji up next), she looks poised for a dangerous run.

Last but not least of which is a teaser from part two of Hossegor Beach Cocaine, detailed how four surfers grappled with the ramifications after random bricks of cartel cocaine in Southwest France. Paul Evans, you’ve outdone yourself.