In Episode 36 of Tappa’s Green Room, Terry “Tappa” Teece sits down with Australian surfing legend Paul Neilsen for a deep dive into the formative years of professional surfing on the Gold Coast and beyond. From growing up in a near-empty Surfers Paradise and borrowing boards as a kid, to charging Hawaiian waves, winning Bells Beach in 1971, and taking out the prestigious Smirnoff Pro-Am, Paul reflects on an era before leg ropes, sponsorship hype, and crowded line-ups. The conversation also explores the rise of Brothers Neilsen Surfboards, the shaping bays of Mermaid Beach, and what it meant to be part of surfing’s first true professional generation—driven by passion, community, and fearless commitment.

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This episode is brought to you by Official Beer Co.
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In Episode 35 of Tappa’s Green Room, Tappa sits down with Burleigh Heads standout and World Tour campaigner Liam O’Brien for an honest, wide-ranging chat about the realities of professional surfing. From growing up surfing raw Victorian coastlines to becoming a Burleigh Boardriders mainstay, Liam reflects on how his early years shaped his style, mindset, and respect for the lineup. The conversation dives deep into the ups and downs of the Challenger Series, his breakthrough moments on tour, the brutal ankle injury at Pipe, and the long road back to confidence and form. It’s a raw look at resilience, humility, and what it really takes to stay in the game at the highest level.

This episode is brought to you by Official Beer Co.
Produced by Podfire.

In this episode of Tappa’s Green Room, Terry “Tappa” Teece is joined by surfing legend, journalist, conservationist, and Chairman of the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve, Andrew McKinnon. The conversation centres on the upcoming World Surfing Conservation Conference (WSCC) 2026, an international gathering set to take place on the Gold Coast in February 2026. Andrew breaks down what the conference is really about — far beyond ocean conservation alone — exploring sustainability, climate change, surf break protection, wellness, innovation, and community-led solutions. With stories from decades in surfing and deep insight into global conservation efforts, this episode highlights how surfers, scientists, and communities can work together to safeguard the future of our oceans and waves.