Welcome back to Surf Skate City talk radio, where hosts Henry Michel and Richard Rodriguez sit down with local legend Tom Powers for an unmissable dive into Santa Cruz surfing history. Tom takes us back to where it all began in Half Moon Bay, learning to catch waves at 17, and fast-forwarding 17 years later when he became one of the pioneers paddling out to Big Wave haven Mavericks alongside Dave Schmidt. Harnessing his background as an expert swimmer, Tom transferred those elite skills directly to the ocean—rapidly rising through the ranks to surf shoulder-to-shoulder with Santa Cruz icons like Richard Schmidt and Vince Collier. From the raw energy of the 1970s lineup to today’s modern era, Tom shares a captivating journey filled with unmatched enthusiasm for the sport, reflecting not just a storied career in the water, but the life of a devoted family man and true pillar of the community. Tune in, give it a listen, and soak up a masterclass in local surf heritage you definitely don’t want to miss!