Episode 39: Surfing, Storytelling, and the Waves That Bring Us Back with Henry Dittman

By Greg Finch


Henry Dittman is an actor, host, voice actor, surfer, dad, and co-host of ClipCast with Chris Wylde. He joins Greg Finch on The Surf Strong Show for an It Comes in Waves conversation about the waves that stay with us, the way surfing can change the direction of a life, and why getting back in the water after time away can feel like coming home.

Henry starts with the wave he still daydreams about: a session at Turtle Bay while shooting an independent film in Hawaii. After years of quoting Blue Crush with his surf crew, he found himself working alongside Chris Taloa, paddling out on the North Shore, catching a long wave at Turtle Bay, and walking straight from the water into hair, makeup, and wardrobe with sand still on his feet.

From there, the conversation moves into Henry’s most recent wave: his first real surf session after nearly nine months out of the water during a major home renovation, a double hernia, pneumonia, and the full grind of family life. What could have been an average El Porto beach break session became one of those days that reminds you surfing never really leaves.

Greg and Henry talk about surfing as stillness, stress relief, identity, family, aging, movement, breath, mobility, and the shift from chasing perfect sessions to staying connected for life. They also get into dawn patrol, surf travel, fatherhood, youth sports, learning when not to surf, and why consistency matters more than waiting for perfect conditions.

This is a grounded, funny, and deeply surf-connected conversation about what surfing gives us — and why the wave you remember most is not always the biggest, cleanest, or most impressive one. Sometimes it is the one that brings you back to yourself.

In this episode:

  • Henry’s first wave and how surfing helped shift his life and acting career
  • The Turtle Bay wave he still daydreams about from a Hawaii film shoot
  • Surfing with Chris Taloa after years of quoting Blue Crush
  • Henry’s first session back after nine months out of the water
  • Why imperfect waves can still deliver the deepest stoke
  • Surfing, water immersion, stillness, and mental reset
  • Movement, breath, and mobility as daily surf-readiness habits
  • Fatherhood, aging, and staying ready to surf with your kids
  • Why surf trips require more than just paddling fitness
  • Letting surfing evolve without losing the core of what it gives you

Guest Links:

Henry Dittman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henrydittman/

Henry Dittman on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/henrydittman

ClipCast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clipcast-the-best-clippers-podcast/id574649000

Surf Strong For Life Links:

Apply for 1:1 surf fitness coaching: https://surfstrongfit.com/start

Surf Strong For Life: https://surfstrongfit.com/

The Surf Strong Show is hosted by Greg Finch, surf longevity coach and founder of Surf Strong For Life, helping surfers build strength, mobility, breath control, paddle endurance, and confidence so they can stay surf-ready for decades.

About Greg

Over the 25+ years Greg has been a coach a lot of things have changed in the fitness industry.

 
The one thing that has never changed for him is a pure drive and joy to help others Surf Strong For Life.


He is a husband, surfer, and coach, but mostly Dad.


He is much more enjoyable to be around after a good surf & finds writing in the third person hilarious.

Stay High on the Wave: Surfing, Presence and Flow with Alexa Marie

What does surfing teach us about moving through life with more presence,

Read More

The Simple 4-Week Pop-Up Plan for Surf Longevity

For a lot of long-term surfers, the pop-up is not really about

Read More

6 Week Surf Trip Prep Program

Get 1-1 Strength Coaching Improve Your Surfing That takes preparation. And for

Read More

Chris Wylde on Surfing, Fatherhood, Patience, and the Waves You Never Forget

Actor, comedian, surfer, and ClipCast host Chris Wylde joins Greg Finch on

Read More

037 Barrett Perlman: Surfing, Breath, and the Inner Work of Staying Present

In this episode of The Surf Strong Show, Greg sits down with Barrett

Read More

3 wave wednesdays report

Join Thousands of Surfers and sign up for my free twice a month email newsletter 

No spam, ever. Emails are never shared. See the full privacy policy here