Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies

7 Gnarly Surfing Scenes

Features
By James White published 4 September 2009

Hang 10 with this lot as we catch a wave...

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Dudes! Dudettes! Prepare to get righteous as we look at some of the coolest surfing action committed to celluloid.

We check out the totally tubular times down at the hottest beaches of movie-dom.

So grab your board, load up on sex wax and hit the sea with us...

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Bodacious Bods: Benjamin L Willard (Martin Sheen), William "Bill Kilgore" (Robert Duvall)

Why So Cool? In one of Apocalypse Now's many iconic moments, Kilgore sends two of his troops out to surf the waves created by the downdraft of the helicopters he's using to attack a Vietcong position.

In the middle of a pic about the madness of war, Duvall's deranged Colonel love for napalm and his dedication to combat are perfectly counterpointed by the images of the men braving the shell-dotted waters en route to the beach.

Wipe Out Words: "Charlie don't surf!"

Latest Videos From

Next: Blue Crush

[PAGE-BREAK]

Blue Crush (2002)

Bodacious Bods: Anne Marie Chadwick (Kate Bosworth), Eden (Michelle Rodriguez)

Why So Cool? The likes of Bosworth and Rodriguez in bikinis? Oh, let us think.

But more than that, it's based on Susan Orlean's article about real-life surf girls and sees the pair (plus Sanoe Lake's Lena) living their oceanic dream between stints as hotel maids.

It's out in the swells that they really thrive, though - and Anne Marie gets her big moment when she enters the Rip Masters surf competition, hoping to score a sweet sponsorship deal.

Thanks to some awesome stunt doubles, the scene works, even if the rest of the movie's a little flat.

Wipe Out Words:
"These waves are for the big boys."

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Next: Fast Times At Ridgemont High

[PAGE-BREAK]

Fast Times At Ridgemont High (1982)

Bodacious Bods: Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn)

Why So Cool? Spicoli's possibly the funniest example of saltwater-addled stoner dudes in cinema history.

Played to perfection by Penn, our favourite scene is his big surfing dream, where Spicoli imagines he's won the biggest surfing competition around.

We don't get to see loads of big wave action, but the 'tude on display more than makes up for it. And the ultra-fake blue screen style makes it even better.

Wipe Out Words: "I'll tell you, surfing's not a sport, it's a way of life, you know, a hobby. It's a way of looking at that wave and saying, "Hey bud, let's party!"

Next: Big Wednesday

[PAGE-BREAK]

Big Wednesday (1978)

Bodacious Bods: Matt Johnson (Jan-Michael Vincent), Jack Barlow (William Katt), (Leroy Smith) Gary Busey

Why So Cool? Shoved through the blender of a pre- and post-Vietnam USA, it's the tale of three friends who must deal with their changing lives and aging bodies.

The best moment comes when the three aging surf dudes make it to the beach for one final celebration of their favourite sport.

With very real, huge waves, shot at a time before movie types stuck to surfing on CGI, it's a jaw-dropping celebration of male bonding out on the sea.

Wipe Out Words:
"If you leave me here, I'm gonna drown. And all you'll find is this s****y old board..."

Next: Point Break

[PAGE-BREAK]

Point Break (1991)



Bodacious Bods:
Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves), Bodhi (Patrick Swayze)

Why So Cool? The acting might be prime ham and cheese, but there's no denying director Kathryn Bigelow knows how to set up an action scene.

FBI agent Utah is sent to infiltrate Bodhi's gang, the Ex-Presidents (named for the masks of former US leaders they use as disguises during bank robberies.

Observing their wild and crazy actions out on their boards, Utah gets his clue as to their identities when one of them moons the beach. Charming.

Wipe Out Words:
"I caught my first tube today... Sir."

Next: Surf's Up

[PAGE-BREAK]

Surf's Up (2007)

Bodacious Bods: Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf), Zeke "Big Z" Topanga/Geek (Jeff Bridges)

Why So Cool?
True, it's for, you know, kids, but this surfing penguin docu-'toon is still spot-on.

When young, up-and-coming wave-jumper Cody Maverick wipes out during the Penguin World Surfing Championship, he needs to restore his confidence.

Thank goodness, then, that he's got oddball Geek (Bridges, channelling The Dude with ease) to mentor him - since he also happens to be Cody's favourite legendary board-walker known as Big Z.

It's a CG 'toon, but the montage of Cody learning to respect the ocean and trust in himself is a great surf moment.

Wipe Out Words: "You let the wave do the work. You don't fight the wave. You can't fight these big waves."

Next: Riding Giants

[PAGE-BREAK]

Riding Giants (2004)

Bodacious Bods: Laird John Hamilton, Jeff Clark, Buzzy Kerbox

Why So Cool? Stacy Peralta's surfing doc feels so real because Peralta himself was a former skater and wave-rider himself.

Hitting up some of the legends of the culture to explore its origins and highlight its heroes, Peralta shows off some incredible footage.

While some of it is recreated, it's the archived adventures of Laird Hamilton that really impress. Gliding through a gigantic wall of water, he makes it look like he was born to do - which he was, when you consider his dad was a surfer...

Wipe Out Words:
"Not only were you riding down this mountain, but the mountain is chasing after you and you need to figure out how to escape it., but also use it."

Like This? Then try...

  • 7 Most Unexpected Death Scenes
  • 10 Dangerous Documentaries
  • 10 Movie Lessons Tested

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter here .

Follow us on Twitter here .

James White
Freelance Journalist

James White is a freelance journalist who has been covering film and TV for over two decades. In that time, James has written for a wide variety of publications including Total Film and SFX. He has also worked for BAFTA and on ODEON's in-cinema magazine. 

Latest in Movies
Shadow (Keanu Reeves) in Sonic 3
Live Action Movies Sonic the Hedgehog 4 director calls it the "best Sonic movie yet" as filming officially wraps
 
 
Bob Odenkirk as Ulysses in Normal
Action Movies Bob Odenkirk and John Wick creator's new movie isn't just an action flick – it also has a surprising amount of heart
 
 
Grogu uses the Force in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies What to watch before The Mandalorian and Grogu: 4 Star Wars movies and 5 shows to prepare
 
 
Vision
Marvel Movies Marvel is so secretive, Paul Bettany didn't even know he died in Avengers: Infinity War until the day it happened
 
 
Daniel Craig in No Time to Die
James Bond Movies The search for the next James Bond kicks off with Game of Thrones casting director at the helm
 
 
Doctor Strange wearing cape
Marvel Movies Marvel fans convinced Avengers: Secret Wars is getting delayed amid new filming date reports
 
 
Latest in Features
A destroyer from Marathon looking head-on, with a pale blue sky behind
FPS Games Killing Marathon would be self-sabotage for Sony
 
 
Bob Odenkirk as Ulysses in Normal
Action Movies Bob Odenkirk and John Wick creator's new movie isn't just an action flick – it also has a surprising amount of heart
 
 
Cities of Sigmar Cogfort box on a wooden surface
Tabletop Gaming If you miss weird old Warhammer, the new Cities of Sigmar models are for you
 
 
Image of a collection of Kojima game character merch on a light green GamesRadar+ background.
Toys & Collectibles This Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding merch is enough to unite all Hideo Kojima fans
 
 
Hand holding Scuf Omega PS5 controller
Gaming Controllers The Scuf Omega costs $220, but my favorite feature can be found in controllers at a fraction of that price
 
 
Grogu uses the Force in The Mandalorian and Grogu
Star Wars Movies What to watch before The Mandalorian and Grogu: 4 Star Wars movies and 5 shows to prepare
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Grogu uses the Force in The Mandalorian and Grogu
    1
    What to watch before The Mandalorian and Grogu: 4 Star Wars movies and 5 shows to prepare
  2. 2
    Eiji Aonuma tried to "graduate" from Zelda after Wind Waker, but Shigeru Miyamoto said otherwise
  3. 3
    10 Games like World of Warcraft that'll take over your time next
  4. 4
    Sonic the Hedgehog 4 director calls it the "best Sonic movie yet" as filming officially wraps
  5. 5
    Crimson Desert Kliff actor says video game acting wasn't treated as "proper acting" by peers

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...