View Poll Results: Choose your favorite surf documentary of those listed below:

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  • Bustin' Down the Door

    0 0%
  • Chasing the Lotus

    0 0%
  • Endless Summer

    0 0%
  • Five Summer Stories

    0 0%
  • Morning of the Eart

    0 0%
  • Sea of Darkness

    1 100.00%
Results 1 to 17 of 17
  1. #1
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    Superlative Surf Documentaries & Biopics

    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)

    Last edited by boltonoutlaw; 01-11-2023 at 08:18 PM.

  2. #2
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    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.

  3. #3
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    Superlative Surf Documentaries & Biopics

    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
    Last edited by danmelon; 01-10-2023 at 05:47 AM.
    27° 18°

  4. #4
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    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.

  5. #5
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    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

    Sent from my SM-A536W using TGR Forums mobile app

  6. #6
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    The storytelling in View from a Blue Moon is so-so, but the cinematography is outstanding.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by grinch View Post
    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):


  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by cravenmorhead View Post
    The storytelling in View from a Blue Moon is so-so, but the cinematography is outstanding.
    View from a Blue Moon (Full)


  9. #9
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    BEST ANIMATED SHORT: DREW TOONZ

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


    Drew Toonz Surf Skool 4 Trailer starring Kelly Slater:


  10. #10
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    BEST ANIMATED SONG: JARRAD WRIGHT


  11. #11
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    BEST ANIMATED INTERVIEWS: VANS CLASSIC TALES


  12. #12
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    Innermost Limits of pure fun?

    Crystal Voyager?


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

  13. #13
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    This is an epic list and brings back so many memories, thanks.


    Sent from my iPad using TGR Forums

  14. #14
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    Gtreat addition, thanks; I had never seen this!

    Quote Originally Posted by dunfree View Post
    Innermost Limits of pure fun?

    Crystal Voyager?


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

  15. #15
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    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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  16. #16
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    I love "One California Day"! "Stoked and Broke" (not on the list) is also really good
    "... she'll never need a doctor; 'cause I check her out all day"

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by TaosNH View Post
    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


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    I love bodywhomping.

    I always liked this photo of Obama.

    Name:  IMG_0466.JPG
Views: 175
Size:  90.4 KB

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

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