The Buoy Report Podcast

Annie Rieckert — Where Wave Energy Meets Human Potential

Energy moves through everything — ocean swells, the human body, and the creative mind. In this conversation, elite ocean athlete Annie Rieckert shares how she harnesses that energy across big wave performance, endurance racing, and artistic expression. From the glide of foiling to the discipline of recovery and the flow state of creativity, we explore what happens when power, precision, and awareness converge. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebuoyreport.substack.com [https://thebuoyreport.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

David Sellers (Hi Off Grid): Designing Off-Grid Energy Systems in Hawaii

In this episode of The Buoy Report Podcast, Shaun Lopez sits down with David Sellers, founder of Hi Off Grid, to discuss what it takes to design and build reliable off-grid energy systems in Hawaii. David shares practical insights from years of hands-on work — system sizing, battery tradeoffs, maintenance realities, and the common mistakes people make when pursuing energy independence on the islands. As Hawaii faces rising energy costs, grid instability, and climate-driven disruptions, off-grid systems are becoming a critical resilience strategy — not a fringe choice. This conversation looks at what that shift really means in practice, beyond marketing and theory. The conversation explores why Hawaii is a unique testbed for off-grid living, how real-world systems differ from marketing promises, and what resilient energy design actually looks like in practice. Learn more about Hi Off Grid: https://www.hawaiioffgrid.com/ [https://www.hawaiioffgrid.com/] This episode is part of an ongoing series documenting how waves of energy move through people, place, and infrastructure in Hawaii. If you want to follow this series, subscribe to The Buoy Report on Substack for new episodes and essays as they’re published . This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebuoyreport.substack.com [https://thebuoyreport.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Mark Sponsler

If you’ve ever checked a swell map before packing your boards, there’s a good chance Mark Sponsler helped you find the right spot. As the founder of Stormsurf, Mark has been forecasting waves for decades — bridging hard data, atmospheric models, and human intuition to help surfers chase the world’s best swells. In this episode, we dive deep into how wave forecasting has evolved, how to read charts like a pro, and what climate shifts mean for the future of surf. 🎧 Listen now:▶️ Watch on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thebuoyreport]🎙️ Stream on Spotify🍎 Find it on Apple Podcasts “Forecasting isn’t about luck — it’s about patterns, persistence, and intuition.” — Mark Sponsler This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebuoyreport.substack.com [https://thebuoyreport.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Jojo Roper & Jamie Mitchell

Two of the most respected names in big-wave surfing — Jojo Roper and Jamie Mitchell — join The Buoy Report Podcast to talk story about chasing giants, reading the ocean, and staying calm when the world goes dark behind a 60-foot wall of water. From Jaws to Nazaré, these watermen share raw insights on training, preparation, fear management, and what it really means to dedicate your life to moving water. It’s a deep dive into the mindset, discipline, and quiet confidence that defines true big-wave surfing. 🎧 Listen now:[YouTube link here][Spotify link here][Apple Podcasts link here] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebuoyreport.substack.com [https://thebuoyreport.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Claude Graves: From Surfing Sumba to Building NIHI & The Sumba Foundation

In this episode of The Buoy Report Podcast, I sit down with Claude Graves, the visionary co-founder of NIHI Sumba (formerly Nihiwatu) and The Sumba Foundation. What started as a surf trip to a remote Indonesian island turned into a decades-long mission: building one of the world’s top eco-resorts and launching a foundation that has transformed the lives of thousands on Sumba. Claude shares the journey from pitching tents on the beach to creating a new model of luxury hospitality rooted in community, sustainability, and purpose. We talk about chasing perfect waves, tackling malaria and clean water access, and how adventure can evolve into a lasting movement of impact. This is a story for surfers, travelers, and changemakers alike — proof that the pursuit of passion can ripple far beyond the lineup. Key Themes * Surfing Sumba: discovering perfect waves in the late ’80s * Building NIHI Sumba into one of the world’s leading eco-resorts * Founding The Sumba Foundation and fighting malaria, hunger, and lack of clean water * How luxury travel can fund meaningful community change * Lessons for anyone trying to build projects that give back About The Buoy Report The Buoy Report is where energy, waves, and resilience meet. Hosted by Shaun Lopez, big wave surfer and renewable energy engineer, the podcast explores the forces that move our world — from ocean swells to sustainable systems — and the people who ride them. 👉 Subscribe to get new episodes and field notes delivered directly to your inbox. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thebuoyreport.substack.com [https://thebuoyreport.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]