Josh Pomer’s “Discovering Mavericks”

Reviewed by Sandra Doyle. Viewed at The Lobero Theatre. As a Santa Cruz local I felt obligated to go see how Josh Pomer’s latest work from this eclectic surf town turned out at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. “Discovering Mavericks” seeks the truth of how this legendary big wave surf spot came to be an annual location for professional contests and a rush waiting for experienced thrill seekers. It focuses more on the camaraderie and friendships forged throughout its discovery and popularization. Located north of Santa Cruz and nearby Half Moon Bay, Mavericks has swells that can reach thirty feet due to an underwater canyon just off the coast. For years waves of this monstrosity were thought to only exist in Hawaii, but surfer and Santa Cruz native, Jeff Clark, had been surfing them for years until he finally convinced some buddies to come join him out on the water. They had never believed him when he spoke of this epic spot at the time untouched and unnoticed by surfers, but after some convincing and finally witnessing it for themselves his friends began to become regulars as well. The size of these waves was too great to be kept a secret amongst this close knit group of surfers and eventually the word got out and more and more Santa Cruz locals drove up the coast to come see what all the fuss was about. The allure of such a rare natural phenomenon beckoned to many and not all have survived. Pro Hawaiian surfer Mark Foo was used to riding giants waves off the Hawaiian Islands and yet succumbed to the powerful swell in California, drowning in 1994 at Mavericks. A clear example that for even the most experienced surfers out there, Mavericks is a dangerous beast to wrestle with. With waves so large tow surfing developed with the use of jet skies. Surfers were taken out past the break and given enough speed to drop into the wave with ease. However this useful method was soon outlawed at Mavericks because it is located in a Marine sanctuary where jet skiing is prohibited. The film also told the story of Jay Moriarty, a young man who grew up surfing in Santa Cruz and became the youngest person ever to surf Mavericks at age 16 where his infamous wipeout made the cover of Surfer magazine. Jay was a local prodigy and hero due to his integrity, sportsmanship, and inspiring kindness. He tragically died at age 22 in a free diving accident in the Maldives, but his legend lives on and was recently adapted into a feature film “Chasing Mavericks.” This big wave surf spot has gained attention with Hollywood lately, yet leave it to a true local filmmaker like Josh Pomer to give it the acclaim it deserves. Heartfelt, inspiring and breathtaking, “Discovering Mavericks” gives a unique insight into the down to earth lifestyle and spirit of the men who were the first to feel the rush one can only get from riding a thirty foot wave. Being born and raised in Santa Cruz and immersed in surf culture since my childhood I found Pomer’s film to be an honest depiction of the unique culture created in this special part of the Northern California coastline that surfers and noobs alike can enjoy and appreciate.