If you are one of those who have made surfing part of your life and habits, either as a fan of the sport or as a practitioner of it, you will surely be interested in the films and documentaries that have been made over time about this sport full of emotion and adrenaline.
Surfing documentaries narrate the experiences of some of the best surfers as they travel, train and practice to make surfing the ultimate surfing experience.
The best surf documentaries, according to the platform
🍿 Surf Documentaries on Netflix 🎬
Under an Artic Sky
A wonderful and unforgettable documentary, the latest work of the great photographer and film maker Chris Burkard. Together with his formidable team, Chris travels to Iceland to surf the waves of the Faroe Islands.
Surfing in Iceland is a real challenge, and this group of adventurous sportsmen and women had to deal with a winter storm, the worst Iceland has experienced in just over 25 years.
There were days of total darkness and the uncertainty of not knowing if they would achieve their goal in the Faroe Islands or if they would face worse conditions than the ones they were experiencing.
The goal was achieved, they surfed perfect and wonderful waves in the light of the Northern Lights.
Documentary Under an Artic Sky, available on the Netflix platform.
Fishpeople
A creation of the Malloy brothers together with the Patagonia brand, this documentary shows how people around the world are connected to seas and oceans.
Between ocean waters and human beings there is a natural connection that unites and connects them.
The documentary leaves us with a message about caring for the environment and a great inspiration to enjoy the ocean in a healthy way.
Resurface
This film focuses on the healing power that surfing can have on people; it features a slogan: “War, Trauma, Surfing”.
Bobby Lane, an Iraq veteran suffering from chronic depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, takes up surfing as one of his unfinished tasks and realises how the sport helps his recovery and becomes a permanent part of his life.
Documentary Resurface, available on the Netflix platform.
Given
Given is only six years old and together with his parents, the well-known surfers Daize and Aamion Goodwin, they travel around the world, without a specific direction; they follow the swell.
They go to every continent, meeting people and places, searching for the best waves and growing together as a family; it is a documentary that shows values and perspectives on life.
🥤 Surf documentaries on Amazon 🎞️
Andy Irons: Kissed By God
Surfing champion Andy Irons tells the story of how he overcame a bipolar disorder and opiate addiction to become one of the best surfers in the world.
Like him, many world-class athletes have had to go through truly difficult situations to reach the top of their specialities.
Documentary Kisses by God, available on the Amazon platform.
Masters Of Surf
It is a compilation of images from true surf masters Kelly Slater, Jamie O`Brien, Shane Dorian, Rob Machado and Dane Reynolds, set to the soundtrack of Punk Rock by Anchor of Arms.
Sofía
A documentary about the life of the surfer Sofía De Tomás, Canarian surfing champion from Tenerife.
With interviews and filming, the documentary shows the lifestyle of this girl and her beginnings in surfing.
The First Wave
A documentary that shows the beginnings of surfing in the Spain that was still living under Franco’s dictatorship; they practised on rudimentary boards, but they laid the foundations for what surfing is today in Spain.
Documentary The First Wave, available on the Amazon platform.
Cuban Wave Riders
In Cuba, surfing remains somewhat hidden, but those who practice it do it with total passion and dedication; this is what you see in this documentary.
🍫 Surf Documentaries on HBO 📼
Momentum Generation
Rated by many as the best surfing documentary in recent times, its protagonists are some of the best surfers in the world: Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Shane Dorian, Taylor Knox, Kalani Robb, Ross Williams, Taylor Steele, Pat O’Conell.
It tells the story of how, through friendship, the bonds of all those who became the best surfers of their generation in the world were consolidated.
Their beginnings, difficulties and triumphs are shown in this documentary.
Documentary Momentum Generation, available on the HBO platform.
The Future of Surfing HBO
This documentary tells the story behind the creation of Kelly Slater’s artificial wave.
🍬 Surf Documentaries on YOUTUBE 📽️
Innersection
Freestyle surfers like Kelly Slater or Joel Parkinson in their best wave tricks and manoeuvres.
Documentary Innersection, available on the HBO platform.
Listen Now, Misty Dawn
A documentary by Kai Neville; with a duration of 40 minutes to fully enjoy surfing with athletes such as Jack Freestone, Mitch Coleborn or Brendon Gibben.
Sprout
Documentary of “Oldies” and longboards for fun.
Cancer to Capricon
Famous surfers like Mick Fanning, Rob Machado and the other members of the Reef Team conquering waves.
The McNamara Surf Trip Documentary
One of the best surfers in the world showing what he can do single-handedly.
Discovering Mavericks
The magical wave in all its splendour ridden and narrated by the world’s best surfers.
