If you are new to surfing, you probably didn’t plunge into the surf cinema yet. That’s why today in our blog we will talk about the 4 surf movies you have to see!

 

Endless summer 1966

THE classic that represents perfectly what it’s all about: finding undiscovered perfect waves and riding them for the first time. This documentary was born in 1964, but didn’t get to the big screens until 1966. Its the tale of two Californian surfers, Robert August and Mike Hynson, who decided to go travel the world in search of new waves and make the summer last forever. In their search they travelled through Hawaii, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tahiti and many more… of course in those times there were still more waves to discover than now.

Written and directed by Bruce Brown.

Big Wednesday 1978

Big Wednesday is one of the first fiction surf movies that got the attention of the mainstream public, and incited many people to try surfing. The story goes about 3 close friends that enjoy surf, beach and girls without worrying about anything else. But as the years pass by their lives go separate ways… until a exceptional storm is coming to their home spot Malibu which brings them back together. Apart from the surfing this movie gives a good view of the time spirit back then: living day by day, wild parties, beach life but also friends that die in the war and other heavier subjects… We’ll not tell any more, you just have to see it! Pay special attention to the music from Basil Poledouris, the founder of the typical surf music sound.

Directed by John Milius according to the novel from the same author.

Chasing Mavericks 2012

Based on the life of the young Californian surfer Jay Moriarity and his quest to surfing Mavericks, one of the biggest wave spots in the world. At only 15 years old, local longboard competitor Jay gets to know living legend Richard ´Frosty´Hesson, who shows him how to prepare for and surf these giant waves of more than 12 meters high. The movie focusses on the deep friendship that surges between them, and is a tribute to Jay Moriarity who died at 23 years old during a free diving session in 2001 in the Maldives.

Directors: Curtis Hanson and Michael Apted.

Point Break 1991

A surf and action movie starring two of Hollywood’s biggest actors at the time (1991): Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. Keanu plays the part of a FBI detective that has to infiltrate in a group of surfers, suspects of multiple robberies. But soon he gets addicted to surfing and falls in love with a surfer girl, which makes it more and more complicated for him to do his job. Patrick Swayze is the mythical ‘Bodhy’, leader of the gang and the incarnation of what surfing and it’s life style is all about. In the year 1991 when this movie came out surfing wasn’t so popular as it is now, and for many of us it was more than a wish to start living the Bodhy lifestyle. Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers also plays a little role in the movie, we challenge you to find him in the plot!

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

PS: In 2015 there was a follow up, Point Break 2, but to us it doesn’t come close to the original concept.

For now we will leave it to these 4 icon movies, but there are a lot more great surfing movies and there will come still many more due to the current popularity of the sport and the attraction the surfing and it’s lifestyle has in these modern times.

If you just started surfing you just have to see these 4 movies, they had a big impact on all of us. In another blog we will give you more tips about the surf movies!