Surfing Product Reviews

Review by Mank of San Diego

“It’s not a surf movie, it’s a documentary about surf movies” claimed stand-in host Peter Townend at the premier of Ira Opper (producer) and Matt Warshaw’s (writer) Ultimate Sessions at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla.

Brad Gerlach is an incredible surfer, but I wasn’t entirely disappointed he wasn’t able to host because he wasn’t feeling well (evidently the water quality on his recent trip to El Salvador was akin to Baja Malibu after a fall rain) when I heard who was filling in. “PT” told some entertaining stories which illustrated key segments in this entertaining series of clips from classic surf films, commencing with 1969’s Cosmic Children and ending with Jack Johnson’s September Sessions.

Having only surfed for a decade, this documentary definitely helped me gain a better understanding of the history and progression of the sport since the leash and shortboard were discovered. And the viewer may develop a new respect for the pioneers of big wave surfing after examining the boards they were riding, with their ridiculous width and thickness, and lack of rocker and leash. Every session included was entirely relevant, most including cinematography that gives a peek into the style of film making of that era. No vertical snaps, airs, or flap jacks, this film has elegance that transcends decades with grace.

Perhaps the mood was set by the consistent solstice surf that’s been in place in San Diego for several days, maybe the old timers were simply enjoying the films that were the rage when they were grommets, but the stoke was alive during this screening as barrel after barrel incited cheers from the crowds unlike your average surf film premiere. Omitting gratuitous commentary, this documentary had a perfectly appropriate soundtrack that matched the mood of the session perfectly, If you’re interested in the history of surfing, or surf films, I recommend attending a showing of Ultimate Sessions. And don’t forget to enter the raffle to benefit the Surfrider Foundation because you may win a new Surftech.

“Ultimate Sessions is an anthology of the evolution of both the surf film and surfing itself,” said Opper. “I would like the audience to leave the theater experiencing the sports most incredible sessions from the shortboard revolution to the end of the 20th Century.”

www.ultimatesessions.com