Our guest for this episode of the Swell Season Surf Podcast is John Angiulo — a professional surfer, surf educator, author, filmmaker, and one of Montauk’s most thoughtful voices exploring the deeper meaning of surfing and wave culture. John grew up immersed in the roots of East Coast surfing. His father, Kenny Angiulo, was considered one of New York’s standout surfers during the golden era of East Coast surf culture, often mentioned alongside legends like Ricky Rasmussen. His uncle, Michael “Mick” Angiulo, played a major role in helping legalize and expand surf access throughout New York State beaches through his groundbreaking work with the Eastern Surfing Association.

John began surfing at just five years old at Ditch Plains, and over the past three decades has taught thousands of people to surf in places like Montauk, Indonesia, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico.But this conversation goes far beyond surfing technique. Through projects like A Word on Waves and the Surfing Saves Project, John explores the idea that surfing is more than a sport — it’s a framework for understanding life, community, energy, and our relationship with the natural world.We dive into Montauk surf history, the battle for beach access, surf instruction, lineup culture, spirituality, quantum theory, wave consciousness, and how surfing can become a tool for personal and communal regeneration.

We also discuss John’s monthly “Paddle Outs to Peace,” designed to promote collective coherence and connection through the ocean.This is a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about surfing, philosophy, community, and the power of waves — both in the ocean and in life. We hope you enjoy…

Follow John on Instagram @_surfingsaves_ You can find his books at www.surfingsaves.com

The Swell Season Surf Podcast is recorded by The NewsStand Studio at Rockefeller Center in the heart of Manhattan and is distributed by The Swell Season Surf Radio Network.
For more information, you can follow @swellseasonsurfradio on Instagram or go to our website: www.swellseasonsurf.com

Music:
Artist: Cornell Campbell
Song: Lost in a Dream
Album: The Very Best

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
09:26 Epic Session and Lineage
11:52 Angelo Family Roots
14:10 First Wave and Lifelong Stoke
15:57 Babylon Montauk Split
17:20 Boards and Early Mentors
18:58 Competition and Anger
20:11 Surfing vs School Freedom
24:25 Spiritual Shift and Waves
29:14 Mom Prayer and Quantum
32:17 Maharishi Effect Explained
34:41 Paddle Outs to Peace
36:46 Community and Connection
40:41 Surf Lessons Origin Story
41:59 Launching The Family Surf School
43:49 Mentors And Montauk Legends
46:13 Surfing And Writing Path
49:27 Teaching Beyond Technique
53:12 Surfing Saves Explained
56:58 Waves As Life Metaphor
59:49 Lineup Culture And Dark Side
01:08:27 Havens Nine Wave Model
01:13:55 Research Behind The Framework
01:15:45 AI Tools Validate Ideas
01:17:09 Nine Dimensions Made Practical
01:18:37 Protocols for Daily Coherence
01:21:00 Film Grants and Eclipse Story
01:23:31 Interview Subjects and Partners
01:26:56 Governance Model Against Corruption
01:30:03 Community Over Extraction
01:32:04 Future Paddle Outs Expansion
01:33:32 Surfer Questionnaire Fun
01:39:11 Heaven Wave and Final Plugs

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Surfing Saves with John Angiulo