EP 107 | Medina's Departure Signals a Massive Shift in Pro Surfing | Pinch My Salt

Gabriel Medina just walked away from Rip Curl after 16 years—and the surf world is officially changing. In this episode of Pinch My Salt, Sterling Spencer and Cousin Ryan break down the biggest surfing news and what it means for pro surfing contracts, surf sponsorships, and the future of the surf industry. Are legacy surf brands like Rip Curl, Billabong, Quiksilver and Volcom losing their grip? Why are top surfers chasing new deals, luxury brands, and short-term “collabs” instead of lifelong sponsor relationships? We talk Gabriel Medina, Yago Dora, and how “surf teams” and big surf movies are fading while surf vlogs, YouTube surfing, and surf podcasts are taking over. If you’re into surf culture, corelord vs zest, behind-the-scenes surf business talk, and hilarious hot takes, this one’s for you. Watch to the end for bonus chaos, old-school surf nostalgia, and the real truth about where surfing is headed in 2026.Sterling’s got opinions.

Ryan’s got questions. And the surf industry’s got problems.👇 Drop your take: Is Medina making the smartest move in surfing… or is this the beginning of the end for the old sponsor era?

0:00 Blading, Tom Curren News
5:05 Ryans Announcement & idea
8:37 PINCH MY CLIPS
17:42 Crystals and Cellulite
21:26 Christmas reflection
26:24 Gabriel Medina!
32:15 Vlogging and Florence
35:04 Modern Pro Surfer
42:39 Kelly and Baywatch
46:35 Kelly Slater and Rasta Beef!
50:20 Future Pro Surfer Entertainer
53:33 Therapy Advice




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