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To the Point

One Writer's Search for the Perfect Wave

In 1978 a young writer dropped everything and toured the developing world looking for the perfect wave. Journalist William Finnegan tells us what he found along the way. He's the author of Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life . Big wave surfing in Tahiti at Teahupoo Photo: Duncan Rawlinson

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By Warren Olney • Aug 12, 2015 • 10m Listen

In 1978 a young writer dropped everything and toured the developing world looking for the perfect wave. Journalist William Finnegan tells us what he found along the way. He's the author of Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life.

Duncan Rawlinson

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    Andrea Brody

    Senior Producer, KCRW's Life Examined and To the Point podcast

  • KCRW placeholder

    Charlotte Duren

    Producer, To the Point/Which Way LA?

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Evan George

    Director of Content, News

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    William Finnegan

    New Yorker magazine

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