Jack McCoy: Life & Breath

Jack McCoy: Life & Breath

Author: Lauren L. Hill & Dave Rastovich - surf stories & ocean adventures August 26, 2021 Duration: 56:03

Seven years ago, an episode of breathlessness after bodysurfing -- and  subsequent health challenges (including a 15% chance of survival) --  shook up Jack McCoy's single-minded focus on filmmaking.

Jack has crafted 25 feature films. From his 1976 debut Tubular Swells, to the contrasting narratives of Blue Horizon, and the historical themes of A Deeper Shade of Blue, Jack’s films have documented shifting surf cultures and bolstered many young men’s surfing careers. 

In his attempt to make art rather than simply document performance, Jack collaborated with musicians like Paul Mccartney, innovated cinematic approaches, and elevated the surf film genre over the last 45 years.

Jack talks us through meeting Duke Kahanamoku, being the poster boy for Bruce Brown, Rell Sunn's radiating aloha, learning to follow his instincts, the value of colonics, and the encompassing importance of breath.


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Listen with Lauren L. Hill & Dave Rastovich

Sound Engineer & Music By: Shannon Sol Carroll

Additional music: ‘Evergreen’ by Band of Frequencies:  Men of Wood & Foam album  www.bandoffreqs.bandcamp.com

Join the conversation: @Waterpeoplepodcast

Waterpeoplepodcast.com


Photo Credit: Grant Ellis

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Listen with Lauren L. Hill & Dave Rastovich

Sound + Video Engineer: Ben J Alexander

Theme song: Shannon Sol Carroll

Additional music by Kai Mcgilvray   + Ben J Alexander

Join the conversation: @Waterpeoplepodcast 

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There’s a particular kind of life shaped by time spent in and around the ocean, one that blends saltwater with a deeper perspective. Hosted by lifelong surfers and storytellers Lauren L. Hill and Dave Rastovich, the Waterpeople Podcast explores exactly that. Each conversation is less an interview and more a shared dive with guides who know the water intimately-from scientists and activists to adventurers and artists. You’ll hear firsthand accounts that stretch beyond simple adventure tales, touching on how a connection to the sea informs everything from ecological stewardship and community building to the pure, playful joy of a wave. This podcast serves as a meeting point for a far-flung tribe, weaving together themes of inclusivity, humour, and what it means to live thoughtfully along the coast. It’s about the stories that emerge when people are truly at home in the aquatic world, offering listeners a sense of place and connection within a global ocean community. Tune in for genuine, meandering talks that feel like sitting around after a long day in the swell, where the topics are as vast and shifting as the sea itself.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 133

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