Making a great surf documentary is not easy. Just ask anyone who has tried their hand at capturing surfing on film—and that’s before we even begin coming up with a compelling narrative arc, considering the characters, scouting the right locations and (hopefully) scoring some decent waves for the shoot.
It is when all these elements align that surf filmmaking can dazzle, creating the types of films that will leave a lasting impact for generations.
There is a reason why The Endless Summer is lauded as one of the greatest surf documentaries of all time. Bruce Brown’s quintessential surf flick puts you in the shoes (flip-flops?) of the film’s protagonists, allowing you to follow their stories intimately. The film has a candid and raw quality, giving you the feeling of actually being there, hearing the whisper in your ear: “This is what surfing’s really like.” These movies mean something.
With that in mind, here’s a list of the best surf documentaries of all time. I’d argue that some of them are among the most compelling documentaries on any subject you can watch today.
The Endless Summer (1966)
There’s not much debate that The Endless Summer is the most impactful surf documentary of all time. Packed with camaraderie, great waves and a compelling story, this movie stands out across generations as one of the best in-the-moment surf films ever created.
Directed by Bruce Brown and released in 1966, the film resonated with a post-war desire for escapism and freedom—and what better way to satisfy that wish than to follow a group of frothed-out surfers seeking the perfect wave.
Initial reactions to the movie were mixed. But as a cult following slowly grew, the documentary gained momentum, largely thanks to a positive test screening in Wichita, Kansas, followed by a year-long run in New York. To this day, audiences resonate with The Endless Summer, and it remains a timeless example of great surf storytelling.
Related: Must Watch: The Shocking Truth Behind “The Endless Summer”
Bustin’ Down the Door (2008)
Professional surfing during the ’70s was a different beast. Some of the most famous surfers of that time are a mix of South African and Australian royalty—including Shaun Tomson, Rabbit, Ian Cairns, Mark Richards, Peter Townend and Michael Tomson—all of whom star in Bustin’ Down the Door.
This is a story about their relocation to Hawaii and the troubles they ran into as they attempted to revolutionize the sport across the winter of 1975. Though the story takes place 50 years ago, the film was only released in 2008 due to director Jeremy Gosch facing some incredible hurdles trying to track down archival footage of the film’s protagonists. But what made this film truly memorable is that it sat at the precipice of a new era of high-performance surfing. A must-watch.
Andy Irons: Kissed by God (2018)
One of the most hotly anticipated documentaries of all time, Andy Irons: Kissed by God promised an unfiltered, all-access look into the life of the late AI. And for the most part, it delivered on that promise.
For the first time, we see Andy’s brother Bruce in a full, in-depth, emotional interview. This documentary plucks at the heartstrings while building up to Andy’s eventual death. Interviews with Andy’s greatest rival, Kelly Slater, are raw and powerful. Parko, Sunny Garcia and Nathan Fletcher add depth to the documentary as it builds a picture of the industry as a whole.
The film is an eye-opening look into the rise—and tragic fall—of one of the greats of the surfing world.
Related: Why Surfing Was Everything For Andy Irons And His Pursuit For Inner Peace
Momentum Generation (2018)
What is the “momentum generation”? This is the talented group of 1990s new-school surf stars who hung out on the North Shore of Hawaii, including Kelly Slater, Shane Dorian, Rob Machado, Kalani Robb, Pat O’Connell, Taylor Knox, Benji Weatherley, Ross Williams, Kalani Robb, Todd Chesser and Taylor Steele.
It’s a who’s who of modern surf core lords, along with one of the greatest surf filmmakers in Taylor Steele. In fact, the title of this film was taken from Steele’s 1992 groundbreaking documentary Momentum, featuring many of the same surfers. Steele released a second installment the following year, appropriately called Momentum II.
Momentum Generation, released in 2018 and directed by brothers Michael and Jeff Zimbalist, focused on the stories behind this tight-knit group of friends. There are deeply personal stories here, and despite some of the tragedies that unfold, this is a feel-good documentary at its heart, one that is cherished the world over.
Related: Hollywood’s Top 5 Most Famous Surf Characters
“Code Red” (2011)
On August 27, 2011, the Billabong Pro Tahiti was put on hold as a gigantic swell began to fill in. It was so big, the Tahitian Coast Guard issued a warning to stay out of the water—hence the swell began to be called “Code Red.”
When the swell arrived, it was like nothing the surf world had seen before. The waves at Teahupo’o were so heavy and terrifying, they looked like they were out of a cartoon.
“Code Red” is a short documentary that follows the stories of Laurie Towner and Dylan Longbottom as they huck into some of the biggest, heaviest waves seen—all captured in slow motion with Phantom cameras. It is a mind-boggingly crazy session, the likes of which haven’t unloaded on Teahupo’o’s famous reef since. Even Code Red II (2022) couldn’t hold a candle to the original.
Sea of Darkness (2008)
Sea of Darkness is director Michael Oblowitz’s documentary on how G-Land was discovered. Focusing on the drug-smuggling culture in the ’70s, which helped build the modern surf industry, the film was lauded as one of the most impactful documentaries ever, winning awards at nearly every festival it was entered into.
Then, it vanished.
And when something of this magnitude vanishes from the surf world, people start to talk. One rumor was that the big bad surf industry bought the rights to the film and attempted to quash its release. This rumor was never confirmed. What does seem to be known, however, is that a major studio picked up the film for distribution but then had questions around some of the footage that was used and the associated licensing agreements. There was also a call to tone down some of the major release’s content from its festival tour.
Still, if you can find an opportunity to watch it (it’s still out there), Sea of Darkness is a hauntingly brilliant documentary.
Related: Surfing Gangs: Culture, Violence, and Impact on Surfing
Morning of the Earth (1972)
Alby Falzon’s Morning of the Earth was originally released in 1972 and received a stunning 4k remaster in 2021, solidifying its position as a documentary great.
The film was originally released on the cusp of a seismic shift in the surfing world: the moment when longer boards were being ditched to make way for the shortboard revolution. Set against the backdrop of 1970s Bali, Morning of the Earth was also one of the first films to show surfing in Bali, with its two protagonists, Stephen Cooney and Rusty Miller, becoming the first ever to surf Uluwatu.
Riding Giants (2004)
Stacy Peralta‘s Riding Giants tells the story of how big wave surfing evolved over the course of half a century. Greg Noll features throughout, and his fearless, dogged pursuit of surfing Waimea is a central narrative element. The film also features a more modern collective, showing Laird Hamilton and the strapped crew.
At its core, Riding Giants is a timeless story about pushing limits, making sacrifices and nurturing a death-defying mentality. Though it falls short of really getting to the spiritual heart of its incredible cast, it makes up for it with stunning cinematography and jaw-dropping moments. It’s a detailed look into big wave surfing, sometimes funny, flecked with a few emotional gut punches. Worthy viewing.
Related: The History of Surf Music in 20 Tracks You Have To Hear