Surf Movies

After hearing your feedback, here is a list of movies we like and a quick blurb about each one.

Surfing for Life (1999), is one of our favorites. "A vibrant and award-winning one-hour documentary about inspiring well-spent lives, offers a totally fresh look at successful aging. Narrated by Beau Bridges, it profiles ten legendary surfers who model healthy aging by staying active and engaged into their 7th, 8th and 9th decades. Through interviews, contemporary day-in-the-life footage, and a wealth of rare archival material, the film provides an eloquent and powerful antidote to the negative images of aging presented in America's youth-obsessed culture."

Siestas y Olas (1997) is another favorite. Longboard and shortboard duo road trip the pacific coast of mainland mexico Excellently styled obscure and famous surf spots: Matachen Bay, Saladitas, Petacalco, Puerto Escondido coubled with mournful mariachi music and classic surf documentary narration.

Of course, there is The Endless Summer (1966), the ultimate and cardinal surf documentary classic. Two friends travel around the world: Africa, Australia, Hawaii, Tahiti, California, to discover new surf spots and meet surfers from famous surf destinations while following the surf and summer around the globe.

North Shore (1987) is a b-surf movie classic. Rick Kane, the Arizona wave pool champion wins a trip to Hawaii's north shore. There, he is taken under the expert tutelage of Chandler, a famous old school north shore shaper and surfer. The movie depicts the struggles of the haole surfer within the 80's north shore surf scene in a cheesy but funny way.

Second Thoughts (2004) is a hardcore surf travel movie. Three young surfers get dropped off on an uninhabited Indonesian island with their surf gear, camping supplies, chickens and a goat. The movie documents their hardships (running out of food and the supply boat not coming back), and some innovative camera work that lets you see what it's like to be riding a wave inside the tube.

Litmus (1995) has been called the best surf movie of the 90's. Interviews and footage in Australia, South Africa, Ireland, California, and Hawaii. Featuring exceptional surfers and characters: Wayne Lynch, Derek Hynd, Joel Fitzgerald, Micki Dora, Mark Occhilupo, Tom Curren, Darrl 'Boogs' VanDePolder, and Dream. Some highlights: Derek Hynd's interpretation of old school legends' styles while surfing J-Bay, excellent footage of Mark Occilupo's powerful turns to the raging Blue Hornet, and Tom Curren surfing to his own guitar jam soundtrack.

Laird (2001) is a documentary about one of the world's greatest watermen, Laird Hamilton. Laird is big wave surfing's primary pioneer, and hellman, riding waves that could easily kill a person. His innovations have pushed the envelope of big wave riding.