As satisfying as it is terrifying.
The World Surf League, as you know, has been in a wave slump all season long. Aside from a day at Pipeline and a day or two at Margaret River, the swell quality has been terrible leaving surfers injured and surf fans sad. Of course eternal sunshine burns brightly in the spotless minds of Erik Logan, Jessi Miley-Dyer, Dave Prodan and crew but we, the proud and few, are in a terrible state.
Thankfully there are other outlets.
For Monster Energy, today, has released the award-winning documentary “Ground Swell: The Other Side of Fear.” Featuring standout big wave studs Nic Von Rupp, Makua Rothman, Torrey Meister, Bianca Valenti and Matt Bromley, the picture documents the 2022-23 big wave season which just so happened to be extremely all-time.
“It’s the best coverage ever of Nazare and really tells the story of the place and what it’s like to surf there – plus they captured my best waves ever there, and I’ve been surfing there for years,” Rupp said.
“Dare to be moved by great cinematic storytelling. Nazaré like you’ve never seen,” BeachGrit’s Chas Smith added.
Mavericks and Jaws are featured alongside Portugal’s crown jewel but the best part, maybe, is narration from the one and only Josh Brolin.
“It’s an important film. There’s something raw about it, stripped down, very human, and real. I loved being involved. It touches people’s hearts, and that’s all that matters,” the Dune star declared.
Did I already tell you about the time that my brother’s high school friend babysat for Josh Brolin and/or Minnie Driver’s child and/or children when the couple was engaged and living in Atascadero, California? I can’t recall if the youngster was theirs, or from a previous relationship, nor can I recall if it was Driver’s or Brolin’s. There’s not much more than that to the story but I find it interesting enough.
In any case, while Margaret River is off, yet again, spend some QT watching a work surf historian Matt Warsaw described as “as satisfying as it is terrifying!”