First Annual Big Wave Surfing Film Festival
Presented by the Oceano Hotel and Spa, Sams Chowder House, and the Old Princeton Landing
From the spirit of Jay Moriarity, to women’s surfing, to the powerful presence of Greg Noll, surfing fans are in for a treat June 17-20 when the first annual Half Moon Bay Big-Wave Surfing Film Festival takes place at the Oceano Hotel in Princeton Harbor.
The Bull himself (Greg Noll), legendary for his pioneering performances in Hawaii, will be present on the red carpet opening Wednesday night for his film, “Search For Surf,†in which he teamed with storied filmmaker Bruce Brown to recall their experiences in California and Hawaii. “What better way to open an event like this than to have one of the sport’s most legendary and inspirational icons on hand,†said Grant Washburn, Mavericks surfer and event organizer.
The following night will be a tribute to the late Jay Moriarity, who died on a free-diving expedition off the coast of India in 2001. Moriarity was one of the best surfers ever to ride Mavericks, and is held close to the hearts of the Mavericks and Big Wave Community.
Thursday night’s featured films will be “Whipped†and “Ride On,†each produced by Eric Nelson and Curt Myers of Powerlines Productions. “We’re beyond excited to host an event that features Big Wave Surfing, the filmmakers and the surfers themselvesâ€, said Mavericks’ Matriarch Katherine Clark. “This is just the beginning of what will become a great tradition in the Big Wave off-season.†Seldom, if ever, have so many highly regarded surf films been on display over such a short time. The event will be held inside the new Harbor Villages shopping center at Princeton, in the shadow of Mavericks, and visitors are likely to see a number of big-wave superstars in attendance.
In addition to the films, a photo and surfboard gallery will be on display throughout the festival at the Oceano Hotel, inside Harbor Village. Photos include some of the best work from Frank Quirarte, Doug Acton, Don Montgomery, Ed Grant, Seth Midgall, and others who have shot Mavericks over the years.
The complete schedule:
Wednesday, June 17, at The Oceano Hotel Grand Ballroom:
6:00pm – Reception
7:00pm – Greg Noll’s “Search for Surf,†with Noll a featured speaker, highlighting the early days of big-wave riding at Waimea Bay, Pipeline, Sunset Beach and Makaha.
8:30pm – “The Perfect 10†– the story of Big Wave Africa 2008, the shocking event held at Dungeons last July which prompted Surfing Magazine’s Evan Slater to state “this is possibly the biggest paddle-in surf ever photographedâ€. Highlights include Mavericks Champions Tazzy, Flea, Greg Long and Twiggy Baker, as well as regulars Matt Ambrose, Grant Washburn and Tyler Smith challenging the South Atlantic beast. Throw them in with international icons like Carlos Burle, Paul Patterson, Jamie Sterling, Ross Clark Jones and Mark Healey, add South Africa’s best surfers and most treacherous waves. Produced by Red Bull South Africa and Fixer Films. Directed by Neil Webster and assisted by Grant Washurn.
Thursday, June 18, Harbor Villages Atrium, Princeton:
6:00pm – Reception
7:00pm – “Whipped†by Powerlines Productions, documenting Flea Virostko, Peter Mel, Grant Washburn, Jeff Clark and many others during the epic 2000-01 winter season at Mavericks, as well as footage from Cortes Bank.
8:30pm – “Ride On†– the latest film from Powerlines, featuring the November 2008 swell described as one of the best ever at Mavericks. Powerlines Productions’ owners Eric Nelson and Curt Myers have dedicated themselves to documenting the history of surf in the Half Moon Bay area for the past several decades.
Friday, June 19, Harbor Villages Atrium:
6:00pm – Reception
7:00pm – “Year of the Drag-In†– a film produced by Eric Nelson, Curt Myers and Frank Quirarte, featuring the Mavericks crew and a cast of international stars as they took the tow-in revolution to new limits in waves up to 70 feet on the face.
8:30pm – “Mavericks, the Documentary†– a film produced and narrated by Grant Washburn, written with Bruce Jenkins, chronicling the story behind what has become the legend of Mavericks.
Saturday, June 20, Harbor Villages Atrium:
6:00pm – Reception
7:00pm – “Finding Aloha†– by Hawaii-based surfer Dan Moore, a tribute to Hawaiian spirit, adventurous souls and the giant waves of Peahi (also known as “Jawsâ€) on the north shore of Maui.
8:30pm – “One Winter Story†by Frank Films. The accomplished filmmakers Sally Lundburg and Elizabeth Pepin study the inspiring life of Santa Cruz surfer Sarah Gerhardt, the first woman to ride Mavericks.
Admission is $10.00
Tickets may be purchased in advance at NorCal Surfshop in Pacifica (5460 Coast Hwy, Pedro Point, Pacifica, 650-738-9283) and the shops at Harbor Village (280 Capistrano Rd, Princeton-by-the-Sea, Half Moon Bay)