061: Dave Mailman/Survivor

“Every time there was an open door I put my foot in.”
Longest show ever! Yep, settle in for over two hours of chat between myself and the great Dave Mailman, my guest for episode 061. It’s a roving, freewheeling conversation with one of the great unsung movers and shakers of the surf and snowboarding industry, which splits neatly into two segments.
In the first part, we cover Dave’s incredible three-decade long career during which he’s held every conceivable job in the industry – marketing guru, broadcaster, team manager, journalist, editor, distributor, webcaster – and on it goes. For listeners wondering how to get into the industry (and there are quite a few listening to the show), this one is object lesson in kicking down every door in your path until you get where you want to be.

Then, in the second part, we discuss the biggest struggle of Dave’s life: his 2013 leukaemia diagnosis. This is unflinchingly honest stuff and probably one of the most important chats I’ve ever had on this show, as we discuss how he coped physically and mentally, the support he had from friends, family and industry; and the new perspective he has on life as a cancer survivor.
As you’ll hear, Dave has a huge heart, enough stories for ten episodes of this podcast, and a huge appetite for life that verily leaps from the headphones. I’m so glad he came onto the show to share his story, and I hope you enjoy this epic conversation as much as we both did. Salud Dave!
If you only have five minutes…
Listen to this section - Dave on seizing every opportunity
People Mentioned
- Scott Nixon
- Ed Leigh
- Christian Stevenson
- Sian Leigh
- Orlando von Eisendel
- Rick Ridgeway
- Charlie Dark
- Mick Fanning
- Alex Honnold
- Kai Lenny
- Laird Hamilton
- Dave Kalama
- Fred Basse
- Derek O’Neill
- Neymar
- Tom Curren
- Tony Alva
- Mike Mailman
- Brian Morgan
- Coach Roger Nekton
- Hervé Cancouet
- Ken Kelley
- Steve Veytia
- Taryn Veytia
- Axel Pauporté
- Jonny Barr
- Jérôme Ruby
- Dédé Rhem
- Allan Green
- Jeremy Sladen
- Gigi Rüf
- Darren Robinson
- Régis Rolland
- Drew Stevenson
- Phil Lallemant
- Yannick Amevet
- Morgan Bouvant
- Jeff Webb
- Klaus Marko
- Olivier ‘Buffalo’ Cuissot
- Droidy
- Gaetane Devolder
- Didi Haas
- Nicolas Hale-Woods
- Jarkko Henttonen
- Steve Klassen
- Lori Gibbs
- Matt Goodwill
- Peyo Lizarazu
- Mike Osborn
- Gary ‘Kong’ Elkerton
- Ross Clarke Jones
- Robbie Page
- Philippe Vergez
- Harry Hodge
- Jeff Hakman
- Maritxu Darrigrand
- Bernard Mariette
- Omar Hassan
- Mark Haziza
- Stéphane André
- Dennis Hopper
- Phil Jarratt
- Brodie Carr
- Jasper Sanders
- Mathieu Crepel
- Markku Koski
- Freddie Austbo
- Jakob Wilhelmson
- Tomi Toiminen
- Manuel Palacios
- Tom Penny
- James Stentiford
- Mano Ziul
- Robson Machado
- Andy Irons
- Neco Padartz
- Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew
- Bruce Irons
- Sunny Garcia
- Kelly Slater
- Simon Anderson
- Reid Pinder
- Carl Wieser
- François Payot
- Russell Winter
- Pete King
- Sophie Goldschmidt
- Joe Turpel
- Joel Parkinson
- Martin Potter
- Jake Burton
- Terje Haakonsen
- Shaun White
- Phil Richardson
- Jules Bachelot
- Priscilla Mailman
- Max Chu
- Pat Gavaghan
- Phil Williams
- Maurice Rebeix
- Andy Higgins
- Simon Wooton
- Alex Coudray
- Cyril Neri
- Rocky Romano
- Sascha Hamm
- Carwyn Williams
- Suzy Parker
- Sasha Steinhorst
- Dune Payot
Places Mentioned
- Verbier
- California
- Hawaii
- Maui
- La Grave
- Newport Beach
- Snow Summit
- Mammoth
- Big Bear
- Idaho
- Utah
- Lacanau
- Hossegor
- Biarritz
- Moliets
- Soviet Union
- Laguna Beach
- Val Senales
- Paris
- Les Diablerets
- Sölden
- La Clusaz
- Chamonix
- Seignosse
- Manly
- La Nord
- Mundaka
- Bayonne
Companies/Brands/Organisations/Contests Mentioned
- EuroSIMA
- Hollister
- Rip Curl
- Sport Guide
- Patagonia
- Nike
- X Games
- Olympics
- Alva
- Independent
- Phillips Exeter Academy
- UCLA
- University of Bordeaux
- Mountain High
- Nitro
- Mervin Manufacturing
- Glissexpo
- World Jungle
- Third Rail
- Pro-Lite
- Shift Custom Rides Snowboards
- Switch Manufacturing
- TSA
- A Snowboard
- Volcom
- Arnette
- Quiksilver
- Timberland
- Sector 9
- NSSA
- ASP Europe
- Bowlriders
- Quik Cup
- Quiksilver Slopestyle Pro
- Air & Style
- The Arctic Challenge
- Aran Powder Company
- Board-X
- Billabong
- Rip Curl
- Ticket To Ride
- Burton Global Open Series
- ISF
- US Open
- Dew Tour
- Christian Surfers
- Freeride World Tour
- Verbier Extreme
- Epic TV
- World Cup of Skateboarding