Sidetracked

It’s nice when we finally spring forward.

Armed with an extra hour or daylight, I hit the surf after work yesterday. Morro Bay was kind enough to greet me with sunshine and somewhat glassy conditions, though she also threatened to clobber me with big, closed-out waves, which I managed to avoid – but just barely.

I didn’t catch a lot of waves, but it was enough for a stoke.  And now, the day after, I’m thinking about surf again as I peruse the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival’s Surf Nite lineup.

Technically, there’s only one Surf Nite movie — “Waveriders,” which we will preview in Thursday’s Ticket.  But prior to that, other surf movies will be screened. Unfortunately, they screen at the same time, so you’ll have to pick and choose which ones to see.

Here’s a look at the surf movie offerings:

“Waveriders” (7:30, Fremont)  The screening, with special guest director Joel Conroy, is the highlight of this year’s Surf Nite. The film focuses on the history of surfing in Ireland, starting with George Freeth, a first generation American (his parents came from Ireland), who helped spread the Stoke to the mainland. The film includes the Malloy brothers from Ojai and some Irish big waves.

“Boardheads” (4 p.m., Palm) Covering a variety of board sports, this movie explores how the Stoke is passed through different groups, including street kids, a Cuban exile, amputees and more. Lopez Lake is one of the many places featured.

“Runman’s Groms” (4 p.m., Palm) This 8-minute short looks at a young surfer in Hawaii. With guest appearances by Bethany Hamilton and Bruce and Andy Irons.

“Wake Unto Blue” (4 p.m., Downtown Cinemas) Shell Beach resident Anna Moore is the daughter of surf pioneer Buzzy Trent, a mainstay of early surf films. In this 35-minute film, using footage from the late Bud Browne, Moore shares classic footage with her own poetry.

“Jesse’s Story” (4 p.m., Downtown Cinemas) Many surfers first learned of Jesse Billauer in the movie “Step Into Liquid.” But while that film included Billauer in a segment, this documentary is devoted to Billauer, a once promising young surfer who was paralyzed from the neck down while surfing in Malibu at age 17. Despite his life-changing injury, Billauer still gets the Stoke. The film features appearances by Jack Johnson, Ben Harper and Christopher Reeve.

Photo: “Boardheads”

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By the way, it looks like the wind is giving us a break this week. So take advantage of the extra light.

Posted on March 16th, 2010 by Pat
Filed under: Surf stuff