Nate & Koa Podcast
Two elite professional big-wave surfers from Hawaii share unfiltered stories and opinions from their lives in and out of the water.
An inside look at the lives of elite big-wave surfers, the show is less a structured podcast and more a 'talk story' session. Nate and Koa trade anecdotes about recent trips, near-misses, and the evolving culture of professional surfing. It's an unpolished, authentic glimpse into a high-stakes world, straight from the source.
“The hosts' genuine camaraderie and self-deprecating humor, especially about their own inconsistent podcasting schedule, sets the show apart. Their willingness to share both humbling moments and massive triumphs provides a uniquely grounded view of a larger-than-life sport.”
Who hosts this show
Hosted by professional big-wave surfers Nathan Florence and Koa Rothman, this podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look into the world of elite surfing. Hailing from Oahu's North Shore, the two friends and peers share personal stories, recount harrowing waves, and discuss the culture of surfing with occasional guests from the industry.
Credentials & credits
- Nathan Florence: Professional Big-Wave Surfer
- Nathan Florence: 2023 Big Wave Challenge Surfer of the Year
- Nathan Florence: 2023 Stab Surfer of the Year
- Koa Rothman: Professional Big-Wave Surfer
- Koa Rothman: 2014 Billabong XXL Tube of the Year Award Winner
- Koa Rothman: 2014 Billabong XXL Wipeout of the Year Award Winner
Other ventures
- Nathan Florence: Florence (Apparel Brand)
- Nathan Florence: Personal YouTube Channel
- Koa Rothman: This is Livin' (YouTube Series)
- Koa Rothman: Sunrise Shack (Açaí & Coffee Business)
- Koa Rothman: Darc Sport (Sponsor)
- Koa Rothman: Magic Mind (Investment)
When new episodes drop
- 01WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT A WORLD CHAMPION SURFER IN 50ft WAVES?May 24, 2026 · 1h 01m
- 02RIP CURRENT HORROR STORY THE GUY WHO SWIMS THE WORLDS HEAVIEST WAVES - DANIEL RUSSOApr 10, 2026 · 1h 22m
- 03WHAT HAPPENED TO SURF ETIQUETTE? NATE’S FEAR OF AGING & KOA’S FEAR OF BALDINGFeb 23, 2026 · 51 min
- 04CHRIS MALLOY'S INSANE BIG WAVE STORIES, SURF TRIPS IN THE 90sDec 15, 2025 · 1h 08m
- 05DANGERS OF SURF TRIPS, KOA GOES TO TAHITI, NATE GETS DENGUE FEVER!Nov 19, 2025 · 1h 00m
- 06WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA HAS DONE TO SURFINGDec 6, 2024 · 1h 08m
- 07
- 08NIGHTMARE KEYHOLE PADDLE OUT STORY, LEASH WRAPPED CORAL HEAD!Apr 12, 2024 · 57 min
Notable episodes
- 01RIP CURRENT HORROR STORY THE GUY WHO SWIMS THE WORLDS HEAVIEST WAVES - DANIEL RUSSO
Features legendary water cinematographer Daniel Russo and a harrowing story of being swept out to sea, showcasing the show's storytelling format with a guest.
- 02WHAT HAPPENED TO SURF ETIQUETTE? NATE’S FEAR OF AGING & KOA’S FEAR OF BALDING
A classic co-host episode that delves into the state of surf culture, career paths for modern surfers, and personal stories, including Koa's brief return to competition.
- 03WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU PUT A WORLD CHAMPION SURFER IN 50ft WAVES?
This episode covers the history and evolution of big wave surfing, including a discussion of the famous 'Millennium Wave' at Teahupo'o.
What you'll be asked on this show
When a guest joins, the interview style is extremely casual and integrated into the co-host conversation. An interview often begins by prompting the guest to share a specific, dramatic story the hosts have already heard about. From there, the discussion unfolds organically, with Nate and Koa frequently interjecting their own related experiences and questions. It's less of a formal Q&A and more of a collaborative storytelling session among peers.
The show is a loose, conversational chat between co-hosts Nathan Florence and Koa Rothman. Episodes often feel like eavesdropping on a post-surf debrief, with topics flowing organically from personal updates to industry commentary. When guests appear, the format remains an informal group conversation rather than a structured interview.
Questions the host keeps coming back to
5 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when the host reaches for it.
backstory
1- Q.01
“Can you tell us the story of [a specific dramatic event]?”
This is a common opening move, immediately diving into a dramatic, action-filled story to hook the listener.
origin
1- Q.01
“Do you remember the first time you [did a specific surf maneuver]?”
The hosts use this to connect on shared experiences and elicit personal origin stories within the sport.
industry
1- Q.01
“Is it easier now to make a career through contests or content?”
This question is used to generate opinions on the current state and future of the professional surfing industry.
process
1- Q.01
“What made you decide to go out, knowing the conditions were dangerous?”
Aimed at understanding the risk-assessment and decision-making process of fellow elite athletes.
money
1- Q.01
“Is there much money in [a niche part of the surf industry]?”
This question directly addresses the financial viability of alternative career paths within surfing.
Signature segments
- · Joking about their podcast's inconsistency
- · Recounting recent surf trips and sessions
- · Debating surf etiquette and lineup politics
- · Comparing contest surfing vs. free surfing careers
- · Sharing stories of injuries and near-death experiences
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
Guests are typically legends and insiders from the surf world, like renowned water cinematographers or iconic surfers, who have a shared history or a bank of wild stories with the hosts.
- Daniel Russoon RIP CURRENT HORROR STORY THE GUY WHO SWIMS THE WORLDS HEAVIEST WAVES - DANIEL RUSSO
- Chris Malloyon CHRIS MALLOY'S INSANE BIG WAVE STORIES, SURF TRIPS IN THE 90s
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The podcast has featured sponsors like Vaer Watches and Magic Mind, and the hosts also promote their own merchandise. Sponsorship seems geared towards a core surf-and-outdoors audience that values authenticity.
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
Pitch this show
k•••@•••.comFree: limited reveals · Pro: unlimited reveals + CSV export
You’re only charged when we return a verified hit.
People also ask
- Who are the hosts of the Nate & Koa Podcast?
- The podcast is hosted by professional big-wave surfers Nathan Florence and Koa Rothman, who are friends and peers from the North Shore of Oahu.
- What is the format of the show?
- It's a casual, conversational podcast, primarily featuring the two co-hosts discussing their lives and the surf world. Occasionally, they bring on guests, typically other figures from the surf industry, for an informal group chat.
- Is the podcast still active?
- Yes, but the release schedule is famously inconsistent, a fact the hosts often joke about. They may release several episodes in a month and then take a long break.
- Where can I listen to the podcast?
- The podcast is available in video format on their YouTube channel, "Nate & Koa Podcast," and as an audio podcast on platforms like Apple Podcasts.
- Are Nathan Florence and Koa Rothman related?
- No, they are not related. They are close friends and grew up surfing together on the North Shore of Oahu. Nathan's brothers are fellow surfers John John and Ivan Florence. Koa's brother is big-wave world champion Makua Rothman.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]Nate & Koa Podcast - Apple Podcastspodcasts.apple.com
- [02]Nathan Florence: Surfing – Red Bull athlete profileredbull.com
- [03]Koa Rothman - Grokipediagrokipedia.com
- [04]Nathan Florence Is the Surfer of the Yearsurfer.com
- [05]Nathan Florence Makes “Bet” on Himself with Move to Florence Marine Xshop-eat-surf.com
- [06]Koa Rothman, Magic Mind, & The New Era of Surf Entrepreneursthesurfersview.com
- [07]The North Shore Rat Pack - Freesurf Magazinefreesurfmagazine.com
Podcasts like Nate & Koa Podcast
DIVE Studios / 다이브 스튜디오
A media company and podcast network where K-pop idols and Korean-American artists discuss culture, careers, and personal identity.
PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE
PARANORMAL EXPERIENCE
Um podcast brasileiro de longa duração onde dois apresentadores entrevistam médiuns, mentores e especialistas sobre suas experiências paranormais e estruturas espirituais.
Saad Rashid - YouTube Automation
Saad Rashid
A Pakistani host interviews creators of 'faceless' YouTube channels, breaking down their niche strategies, AI workflows, and revenue generation.
The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered
A history storyteller who narrates short, engaging videos about forgotten events and figures, typically in 15 minutes or less.
Silicon Valley Girl
Silicon Valley Girl
An entrepreneur interviews the founders and scientists building the next wave of AI to uncover practical strategies for career and business growth.
The Arena
The Arena
A daily sports debate show where 3-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas and a panel of former pros give unfiltered takes on basketball news.
Shallu Nisha Podcast
Shallu Nisha
A long-form interview podcast exploring the careers and business of North Indian digital creators, artists, and entrepreneurs.
Backstage with Millionaires
Pankaj Chauhan
A weekly news show and documentary-style channel breaking down the biggest stories and trends in the Indian startup and venture capital ecosystem.