Superlative Surf Documentaries & Biopics

[boltonoutlaw]

Inspired by Xover's post of The Yin & Yang of Gerry Lopez here is a list of my top 5 surf documentaries.

I tried to not include typical surf films or videos but upon reflection some of those that were current in their time could now be considered documentaries, or at least historical artifacts. Mainly this is a list of projects that were originally conceived as documentaries or biopics.

Add your favorites in the thread or call me out for omissions

Favorite 5 Surf Documentaries:
Sea of Darkness (Trailer) MUST SEE
Morning of the Earth (Trailer)
Five Summer Stories (Trailer)
Chasing the Lotus (Trailer)
Bustin' Down the Door (Trailer) (Full)

Dogtown & Z-Boys (Trailer) (Full) In a class of its own

Notable Surf Documentaries:
A Fly in the Champagne (Trailer) (Full) Irons v Slater rivalry
Bra Boys (Trailer) (Full)
Between Land and Sea (Trailer)
Between the Lines (Trailer)
Blue Horizon (Trailer)
Discovering Mavericks (Trailer) (Full)
Fishpeople (Trailer) (Full)
Momentum Generation (Trailer)
One California Day (Trailer)
Riding Giants (Trailer)
Sprout (Trailer) (Full)
Step Into Liquid (Trailer) (Full)
Surfers: The Movie (Derek Ho segment)
The Endless Summer (Trailer)
The Endless Summer II (Full)
The King of Pavones (Trailer)
The Westsiders (Trailer)

Notable Surf Biopics:
Archy: Built For Speed (Trailer) (Full) Matt Archbold
Barney (Full) Shawn Barron
Bethany Hamilton: Unstoppable (Trailer)
Bunker 77 (Trailer) Bunker Spreckles
Everything & All: The Peter Mel Story (Trailer)
Fast and Loose | Celebrating The Legacy of Mark Richards (Full)
Just Add Water (Trailer) (Full) Clay Marzo
Kissed by God (Trailer) Andy Irons
Occy: The Occumentary (Trailer) Mark Occhilupo
Searching for Michael Peterson (Trailer)
Searching for Tom Curren (Trailer)
The Bruce Movie (Trailer) (Full) Bruce Irons
The Story of Surfline's Founder Sean Collins (Full)
The Yin & Yang of Gerry Lopez (Trailer) (Full)
This Is Your Life | Duke Kahanamoku (Full)
Trouble: The Lisa Andersen Story (Trailer)

[cat in january]

As a non surfer I don’t know too many films on your list, but Riding Giants I thought was a great film. Not many films have given me enjoyment watching again, Riding Giants did.

[danmelon]

Nice thx for putting this together! This will keep me entertained for a good while.

Not a documentary, but fucking hilarious



There on episode 5 or 6 now

[EWG]

This is a phenomenal list. Great work.

I will add that the first time I saw Step Into Liquid, which happened to be on a large screen with a great sound system, the first 30 seconds absolutely blew my mind. So that one is pretty high on my list.

[grinch]

I look for it occasionally but i cant find it anywhere. A friend lent me a bunch of movie discs and one was "surfing for life". A documentary interviewing all the og's. Hawaii, california etc etc. They were in their 60's ,70's and 80's(maybe just Doc Ball) at the time of the documentary. Captivating stories. All still active. Several still shredded sporting 6 packs. Great movie if you can find it. A kin to the ski bum lifestyle

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[cravenmorhead]

The storytelling in View from a Blue Moon is so-so, but the cinematography is outstanding.

[boltonoutlaw]

I look for it occasionally but i cant find it anywhere. A friend lent me a bunch of movie discs and one was "surfing for life". A documentary interviewing all the og's. Hawaii, california etc etc. They were in their 60's ,70's and 80's(maybe just Doc Ball) at the time of the documentary. Captivating stories. All still active. Several still shredded sporting 6 packs. Great movie if you can find it. A kin to the ski bum lifestyle

Surfing for Life (Trailer):

[boltonoutlaw]

The storytelling in View from a Blue Moon is so-so, but the cinematography is outstanding.

View from a Blue Moon (Full)

[boltonoutlaw]

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drewtoonz


Drew Toonz Surf Skool 4 Trailer starring Kelly Slater:

[boltonoutlaw]

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thebiglezshowofficial


BROWN TOWN SONG

[boltonoutlaw]

PLAYLIST:
Classic Tales | VANS

[dunfree]

Innermost Limits of pure fun?

Crystal Voyager?


these had I think some of the first real tube footage from memory

[Zhem]

This is an epic list and brings back so many memories, thanks.


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[boltonoutlaw]

Gtreat addition, thanks; I had never seen this!

Innermost Limits of pure fun?

Crystal Voyager?


these had I think some of the first real tube footage from memory

[TaosNH]

What a great lineup - thank you for posting! I’d add “Come Hell or High Water” - mainly because I bodysurf as often as I can, but also because it adds a great perspective to viewing the ocean/waves as recreation spaces


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[Xover]

I love "One California Day"! "Stoked and Broke" (not on the list) is also really good

[bodywhomper]

What a great lineup - thank you for posting! I’d add “Come Hell or High Water” - mainly because I bodysurf as often as I can, but also because it adds a great perspective to viewing the ocean/waves as recreation spaces


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I love bodywhomping.

I always liked this photo of Obama.



There’s a current HI senator that seems to hold bodysurfing as an important part of his life.