Split Peak Soup
Welcome to Split Peak Soup Podcast! I’m your host, Neal Kearney. I feel very blessed to have been born and raised here in Santa Cruz, California. Santa Cruz is a hotbed for talented individuals, including, but not limited to: professional surfers and skaters, master surfboard shapers, internationally renowned artists, expert musicians, boundary pushing intellectual thinkers, and out-of-this-world explorers of consciousness.
Working as a professional journalist for the past twenty-plus years, I’ve had the opportunity to sit down with these extraordinary humans and in-depth and insightful chats. While these discussions have helped inform many written pieces that I’m proud of, I oftentimes felt that I was leaving a lot of meat left on the bone, as the few quotes I’d incorporate into my writing oftentimes seemed to strip my interviewees of their own authentic voices.
Luckily, we are entering a brave new world, where the podcast has risen as a popular form of storytelling and media consumption. From Joe Rogan to Conan O’Brien, podcasters have officially taken over. And now, I’m joining the fray. The Split Peak Soup Podcast is my way of using my skills as a story-teller to offer long format conversations with those whose stories deserve to be told.
So, what are you waiting for? Pull up a cozy chair, grab a napkin and your favorite spoon, and get ready to dig into another savory serving of Split Peak Soup!
Split Peak Soup
Split Peak Soup Podcast Episode 23--Isla Hardy
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Fifteen year-old surf phenomenon Isla Hardy is one of Santa Cruz’s next great hopes. This regular foot ripper burst on the scene a few years ago as a pint-sized grommet and has experienced impressive growth as both a human and surfer ever since. She’s well known for her positive attitude and bright smile and respected in the surf world for her precise rail game and futuristic aerial antics. She’s also a competitive animal, boasting a number of National Titles and a trophy collection that could, at this point, fill a storage container.
Not only that, she’s well-spoken, articulate, and outgoing. She’s got a strong work ethic and regularly shoots with legendary local photographers such as Dave “Nelly” Nelson, who just so happens to be a close family friend. As if all that weren’t enough, she’s a true student of the game, working with competitive masterminds such as Matt Myers and Nat Young to help her achieve her goals of competing on the Championship Tour and winning a gold medal in Olympic surfing.
Lately, she’s been on a freakin’ tear! Not long after signing with Billabong, Hardy took first place in the Vans Ladybirds division at the Stab High event in Virginia Beach, earning herself a cool $5,000 and tons of respect. It was her third time competing in the invitational wave pool event, one that has a simple format—launch the craziest airs possible and walk away victorious. Both developments are huge for the youngster and will undoubtably elevate her profile in an increasingly talent saturated surf world.
It would be an understatement to say I was thrilled to have young Isla on the latest episode of the Split Peak Soup Podcast! In our chat we discussed her surfing origins, competitive drive, relationship with wave pools, and preferred heat strategy, along with her tight-knit surf squad, beach loving fam, international travels, and experience representing her town as a member of the Santa Cruz Board Riders Club. She also gave me the lowdown on her breakthrough win at the Stab High event, and how she’s giving back with her work with Stand Up to Cancer.
Enjoy this wide-ranging chat with yet-another charismatic guest on the Split Peak Soup Podcast!