Watch the clip! Those boards! The scariest!
The American cable channel TNT premiers its new show Animal Kingdom this week. Deadline calls it “Gritty but gratuitous.” Entertainment Weekly declares it is a “…surfing Sons of Anarchy.”
It follows the fortunes of a southern California crime family who surfs, drugs, etc. BeachGrit‘s Australian friends will, of course, recognize that it is an adaptation of the film with the same name that followed Melbourne’s famous Pettingill family. They did not surf, if I recall. And why would they? Bells? Burrrrrrrr!
In any case, the darker side of surf is all the rage. The Lunada Bay “Boys” and their “surf fort” strike fear into the hearts of the public. Etc.
Complex Magazine even wrote a piece about the phenomenon this morning. Let’s look!
Surfers have largely eschewed the seedy reputation that’s stuck to their land-bound alterna-sport brethren. Skateboarders hang out behind the grocery store. Dirt bikers lurk around the woods. Surfers wake up early to go to the beach; even the most wholesome mom can get behind a lifestyle like that. At worst, surfers are sometimes seen as aloof Spicoli-types, perhaps a bit too laid back for their own good.
Alas, even the sunniest beach gets a dark cloud every once in a while. Menacing “surf gangs” have long played a supporting role in surf culture. Often just a close group of friends, these groups band together to enforce the infamous “locals only” policy on their favorite break. Generally, these groups are harmless, and their enforcement methods are limited to sending bad vibes your way, with perhaps a rare verbal threat. Sometimes, though, the locals take things a bit too far, and that’s when the police come in.
Surf gangs might be intimidating, but don’t let this information keep you from heading out into the waves. Compared with the very real risks of drowning and spinal injuries, surf gangs are harmless. Even sharks—a statistic often compared to being struck by lightning or winning the lottery—are infinitely more threatening than your fellow humans. In the ocean, the real danger always comes from nature. That said, you should still probably think twice before cutting off a local.
Hmmmmmmm.
Wait…what did that say? I was too busy studying the 12 foot thrusters in this Animal Kingdom clip.
Whoa!
Maurice Cole? Matt Biolos? Is this the future? 12 foot thrusters?
It was a question; and I asked bc last time I went there it was chaos.
“The uploader has not made this video available in your country.” Thank fuck.
lets hope they go the same route with the entire show.
There really is a gang enforcing at Malibu?
Yeah – the Marshall bros!!
Haha; those guys are hilarious though.
i’m pretty sure the 12 foot thrusters were the only non-funboards that the actors could balance on during filming. i do wish they had stuck everyone on a wavestorm, though
Who wore it better, Beach Grit or Stab
That was one of the best things I’ve ever seen.
True Story! Once upon time on the surf mecca we call The North Shore. A group of guys got tattoos with “Sunset Boys” inked. Wonder if that still a genre these days. I always hung with the non surfer and became friends with group of trades journeymen living country and playing on summer softball team. The youngest of the group was Jeff from Utah. I don’t know if he was over 21. Visualize Burt Reynolds with mustache, five o’clock shadow, black curly hair, and a mullet. Early bloomer all the way. I Swear! I swear Chas you won’t believe me. But its true, he drove a black T’top Trans Am with gold eagle on the hood. Insane! He would get in that thing roar Cam Highway cranking Molly Hatchet and AC DC. If you don’t take my word. He and part of the group rented a house next to Bushman or close enough. After a night softball game a group of us headed to the Sugar Mill. Sitting shot gun was a new face Jeff’s friend from home with three of us shoulder to shoulder in back seat. The new guy had been in some trouble and he would not stop talking so I leaned back listening to the Firebird gain momentum heading to Kahuku. The Sugar Mill had a pretty big parking lot so we parked away from the crowd. To be cont.
Molly Hatchet? God, I thought only people in Jacksonville had to endure that…glad you’re ok
Molly Hatchet? I thought only people in Jacksonville had to endure that. Glad you’re ok
Not perfect but ok..
You write in complete sentences that make sense.. Good luck finding that here in J-ville
Will there ever be a surf movie/tv show where the surfer doesn’t change his direction 10+ times on the same wave? the world may never know.
Do they seriously not give a crap about realism? Cuz I mean, why not just go whole hog over-the-top – would be a lot more fun. This jank-ass half-assedness really frosts me.
the original point break made me so crosseyed.
such an intriguing storyline. How will it end?
Hahahaha, San O regulars now have to deal with actor kooks and film crew. Every inch of those “Big Guy Tri’s” are needed for that mush. Love to see these clown show up at Black’s during a decent swell.
the hilarity of kooks taking over the peak.
At the beach? Maybe in the parking lot. The only I really hang out at the beach is when I can’t decide which shitty beachbreak will be less bad or when I’m with people that don’t surf.
This somehow gave me a boost of self esteem.
The San Onofre SUP gang in that clip is rather terrifying. The attitude, the hair, the rippage… at such a difficult non-“rookie” break? Man, they’re cool and hard af. You’d fit right in, Chas.
I can only dream. My boards run a measly 5’9 – 6’1
Same as my bds! Fuck, I feel like a dork…
My two best boards are 5’8″ and 6’1″. We got a club!
5’9…..fuck, are you an umpa lumpa?
No, he’s Beaker from the Muppets.
Chas “Meep Meep” Smith
Ha!
Ellen Degeneres from the Ellen show
Bolt the two together if you really want it
12″ thruster…so word is out about my new 12′ Thruster , 36″ wide and 5″ thick, inboard jet motor , lounge chair , with a monted 50Cal with rubber bullets and am currently adapting the hoverboard technology , so as I can hover from home to the beach and back , and as these are very limited edition boards for surfers too old to compete in the lineup , but who can now wreak havoc from…above!
Chas is always Haole Punching down at Barney’s
…the springsuits…
Who the fuck wears a springsuit right? Maybe I’m missing something but I don’t understand them as a wetsuit at all.