*Surf Podcast with Richie Collins: Part 2* …In todayโs Surf Splendor Podcast, Richie Collins reflects on the highs and lows of his career. From the rise and fall of Wave Tools to lessons in humility, Richie opens up about how shaping boards impacted his title chances, his new understanding of โsoulโ surfing, and his plans for the next chapter of his life. Tune in for a candid, heartfelt conversation. Enjoy!
*Surf Podcast with Richie Collins: Part 1:* https://youtu.be/QYkpqDwB80o
*Surf Splendor Surfing Podcast with Richie Collins: Part 2 | Episode 533*
https://surfsplendorpodcast.com/533-richie-collins-part-two/ (audio surf-podcast)
๐ Timestamps:
00:05 Richie Collins’ surfing career and injury during a competition
02:36 Richie Collins Bells Beach Iconic Rock Surfing
07:08 Dr. Tim Brown played a crucial role in Richie Collins’ recovery
09:50 Redesigned fin designs from the 80’s
23:40 Richie Collins shaped a twin fin surfboard for a friend
29:42 Richie Collins was inspired to shape a board after dreaming about it.
34:07 Innovative solution to prevent boxes from breaking out on surfboards
43:01 Focus on creating versatile surfboards for all skill levels
47:17 Struggling with wrong board bag before surf contest
54:25 Struggles with social interactions and childhood challenges.
56:47 Richie recalls a daring rescue attempt during a surf competition
1:08:57 Parental influence on surfing and competition
1:11:56 Challenges of balancing love and anger in surfing competitions
1:16:34 Supportive father-daughter surfing moment
1:24:09 Transition to a new phase of life with faith and positivity
1:27:04 Struggling with anger and loss, finding peace in simplicity
๐โโ๏ธ๐ธ Guest Info: Richie Collins – https://www.instagram.com/richiecollinsurfboards
Richie Collins: The Maverick Who Shaped His Own Path: A force in 80s competitive surfing, Richie Collins not only dominated contests like the 1989 US Open but also stood out for his DIY approach to board shaping. Most pros wouldnโt know how to build their own gear, but Richie shaped his boards from foam to fin, giving him a unique edge on the tour. He took down surf icons like Martin Potter and Tom Curren, and despite injury setbacks, his fearless style made him unforgettable. Today, the “Skeletor” legend continues as Richie shapes boards and mentors the next generation, including his daughter Meah.
๐๏ธ*Surfing Podcast Sumamry:* …In the latest episode of the Surf Splendor Podcast, David Lee Scales continues his deep dive into the world of professional surfer Richie Collins, known for his innovative approach and fearless attitude in competitions. Richieโs story isnโt just about victories on the water but his unyielding resilience, particularly in the face of injuries that could have ended his career. Part 2 focuses on his determination to keep pushing boundaries, whether through new surfboard designs or competitive spirit, earning him a place as one of surfingโs most inspiring figures.
Richieโs passion for the sport transcends beyond surfing waves, as he became a visionary in the industry by crafting his own boards on tour. His unique board-shaping and fin designs revolutionized the sport in the 80s and 90s, offering a new level of performance for surfers worldwide. As David and Richie reconnect, listeners get a firsthand look at what it takes to thrive in a highly competitive environment while staying true to oneโs passion. Itโs an episode packed with inspiration for surfers and creatives alike.๐๏ธ
๐๏ธ Host & ๐ฌ Producer: David Scales
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๐ Presented by: FlorenceMarineX.com/surf (20% off) – https://FlorenceMarineX.com/surf
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Intro Music: Bob Dylan, All The Tired Horses
Outro Music: Mary Gauthier, Mercy Now
44 Comments
Shout out to Lance! In the early 70โs, as an aspiring board builder, Iโd take my backyard glass jobs to Lanceโs factory to get them sanded. Most shops wouldnโt even take them but Lance would not only sand them but would give me helpful tips on how to improve. Iโve never forgotten that, pay it forward.
I remember Richie shaping me a 6'0 thruster he called the Pig. At the time my shortest board was 6'5. That board changed how I viewed what was possible on a board that small (at the time) This was very early 90's, and a big part of how I view and ride waves is from my experience on that board. ๐ค๐พ
i saw richie on northside hb the guy was screaming bloody murder because of the crowd aka MR ANGER !
Richie, you are such an inspiration. I used to draw pictures in art class of you doing your floaters, No one will have to roof time on floaters like you did. legend!!!!!!!!!
What an epic interview, well done
Wow…great interview. Showing such vulnerability is rare in a man.
I can relate so much Mr Collins…thanks for your bravery and honesty with this.
I have a feeling this mysto secret big wave surfer must be Jamie Sterling.
Ladies – find yourself a man who loves you like Richie loves Richie
How sad, that not one person came to check on how he was doing. Says a lot about the tour and the people involved with it. I met Ritchie twice during the late 80โs. Once, at Wave Tools factory and again, picking up product at Aleeda Wetsuits, as a sponsored triathlete. Ritchie was so cool, and was genuinely wowed at a guy racing professionally as a triathlete and who could surf. I was floored because he was one of the top surfers in the world. We had a great conversation, and he was genuinely nice, through it all
Another stellar interview. Youโre great at this David, letting the guest speak, the pause during an emotional remembranceโฆ.So good Richie letting it all out thereโฆ.
those double hard wing swallow tails that Wave Tool was putting out back in the hay day were so sick !!!
Im here to grip it and rip it-r.collins
Legend God first a true cool cat in the surfing world โคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโคโค
I remember going into the wave tools shop in pch in HB and all the boards (or a lot of them at least) being in big clear plastic bags with a big knot tied in them and sitting in the shop on racks and just stacked all over the floor. It was trippy and as kids it just seemed like it was more of a surfboard factory than all the other shops so the boards just seemed newer or more at the cutting edge. I never got one because they also seemed really fragile. Like they were disposable for team riders that were getting boards flowed to them and not spending $300 + and it needed to last you all year or until it broke. I rode one of my buddyโs wave tools and broke it the first day I rode it, first air I did just snapped it. Rad looking boards and seemed to work great but didnโt seem durable at all.
This guy was one of my heros when I was a grom. Underated talent
I was there at Bells Beach when he defeated Pottz in the final in clean small waves on the Rincon reef in 1992. It was dramatic that he was leading the final but had to be carried up the stairs on a stretcher as Pottz sat in the lineup that went flat. Everyone looks forward to the Champion ringing the Bell, but Pottz had to ring it for him. Martin Potter had already won Bells a few years before so it was appropriate for him to ring it (gotta win it, to ring it!). Our crew never really knew what to make of โSkelatorโ, he was different to other Californianโs, especially Curren, but we admired him as an original and radical. Curren, Gerr and Archie had the Californian style, but Christian Fletcher and Richie didnโt have that easy to watch style but made up for it with their radical approachโฆ in and out of the water.
I hope he can find peace, that was an amazing couple of interviews, thank you David, you are contributing much to surf culture. He sounds a little tortured still, family is more important than surfing, so that seems like it is improving for him?
Beyond verticle!
Great to see the beautiful honesty off Richie
Life throws us so many things our surfing is the teacher we always get to paddle out again โค๏ธ๐ดโโ ๏ธ
respect you Ritchie you have a hart of gold ๐๐๐๐๐๐
i thought Richie drowned in the 80s
Love my Wave Tools Twin โretroโ so fark yaself, also had a Richie Collins model from 1990 a buddy let me ride in like 98. So good!! Iโm going to order one of Richieโs new twin. Based off experience of these other boards. Sold
I remember Richie surfing in front of my house all the time he absolutely ripped but was well known for being a hot head and ppl probably didnโt go up to him bc he wasnโt very friendly and had lots of attitude ๐ people were scared of him for the most part. But he was well respected as far as ripping itโs nice to see him again โฆ๐
Meet him in pantin and bali super friendly with me
Appreciation is the gateway to happiness Ritchie๐ it works like a charm fake it till to really feel it if you focus you can do it and when it comes milk it then watch what happens next๐
Iโm 58 and when growing up in garden grove and surfing Newport and Huntington I remember Ritchie being kinda agro.
Was one of the most hated surfers . I think it was jealousy. Dude is talented. Besides surfing as well
Richie is 54th Street legend. Wave Tools….
Canโt say I know Richie personally but Iโve surfed with him enough to call him a surf buddy.
Loved surfing with Rich, the dudes the total opposite of a โwave hogโ. He just waits for the rare perfect one while the rest of us would jockey around in the inside
I can relate
Lets go surf. Today. Welcome at my house.
Rips hard. Reminds me of AI. Tons of spray too
I watched that contest as a kid. When he broke his back. I always thought it was lame no one checked on him at the hospital.
And Bravo to RC for pointing out the struggle to raise and love daughters and let them find their own individual path and purpose God has for them. The struggle is real and God calls each of us to our individual purpose. Great interview
Webbed gloves
I met Richie Collins at his dad shop back at 95. He wasn't the nicest guy in the world
RIGHT ON R! Thanks for sharing Aloha is Real God is REALโจ๐
As a grom in the 90s all i remember about Richie was those webbed gloves
Great podcast DLS! I hope Richie Collins can let go of a the crap that weighs on him from the past. It sounds like he is trying to live in the present but it's a struggle.
Great guy. Bought him a magic 6ยด1 at Ericeira. Super nice guy!
I wanted my floaters to float like Richie.. still do.
As a grom, we used to bike down Placentia from Costa Mesa to surf Zooie, mainly 44th. Echo Beach era. One morning, a huge hurricane swell had hit-
we biked down to the Point, watched in awe him going backside at macking Newport Point, he was just a youngster as well-couldn't believe my eyes.I want to get one of these twins.
The love of a Father! โฅ๏ธ๐ค๐ผ
And great episode. โค๐๐พ