Storm Surfers (3D) (Justin McMillian, Christopher Nelius, 2012): Australia

Reviewed by Sasha Miljkovic. Viewed at Santa Barbara Film Festival 2013.

Ever heard of a tidal wave? A wave so big that it eats and destroys everything in its path? Pushing cars at a steady pace, eating away houses; twisting and annihilating people and trains? Well Storm Surfers 3D roughly grasps the concept of these enormous waves but throws them a little farther out in the ocean, a little farther away from humanity.

Justin McMillian and Christopher Nelius’ Storm Surfers 3D is an action packed, adventure structured documentary film about two friends, Tom Carroll and Ross Clark-Jones, who surfed together for many years. Tom Carroll, a middle aged father, became a world tour pipe master in 1979, finishing 24th. It wasn’t until 1983 he became the first goofy foot world champion. Ross Clark-Jones is a late mid aged who loves big wave surf. In 1998 he and Tony Ray rode some of the biggest waves ever, scaling from 50- 80 foot. Ross joins big wave competitions all the time, he really just enjoys big wave surf in general.

Tom and Ross, both great surfers that surf together all the time, both got over what surfing was becoming as they aged. It went from long boarding massive 25 foot waves, getting barreled for their style and skill; to short boards, with cut backs, aerials and spins. They got so over it that they just kept big wave surfing. Exploring the whole Australian shore, just trying to find the biggest out there.

Ben Matson, a ten year big wave surfer, is the  third on the team. His only job is to watch storms and tides coming from Antarctica to Australia. Ben is able to “usually” track out the biggest waves around Australia. Up to 75 km out, from shore, Tom and Ross are toed into massive waves that could kill you if you made a mistake.

Ahh the 3d was a bonus. It made the overall quality of the film better (it just looked crisp), plus everyone in the audience wants to know what it feel like to be in one of these giant tubes. The 3d makes you feel like your in the water. I’m not usually a fan of 3d, but it looked great. Overall fantastic film  that just takes you on the hunt for the biggest waves ever known.. or unknown..