PODCAST: Surf Dating CEO Rob Long on Building the ‘Zillow for Dating’

In this latest episode of the GDI Podcast, Mark Brooks of Courtland Brooks speaks with Rob Long, CEO and co-founder of Surf Dating, about the company’s mission to reinvent online dating through shared lifestyles rather than endless swiping.

Rob explains how Surf’s grid-based interface gives users complete control over who they see, allowing them to filter potential matches by interests, communities and affiliations such as HYROX and the World Surf League. 

The conversation explores why Surf has rejected AI-driven matchmaking in favour of user choice, while maintaining profile authenticity through manual verification.

Rob also discusses the company’s successful partnership with HYROX, viral blind date events and the strategy of building passionate micro-communities before expanding globally. Looking ahead, he outlines Surf’s fundraising plans, international growth ambitions and vision of becoming a single platform capable of serving countless lifestyle communities.

The episode offers fresh insight into how dating apps can prioritise compatibility, authenticity and real-world connections over engagement-driven swiping.

Click on the Play button below to listen to the episode, which is available on whichever podcast platform you use.