The Big Swell

Among the millions of surfers in the world, only a few hundred are drawn to the power and danger of Earth's biggest waves. Waves, for example, that begin with a storm in the Gulf of Alaska and build into an enormous surge that destroys beachfront property on a distant shore. Filmmaker David Pearce's The Big Swell (which is decidedly not one of those mellow surf docs in the vein of Endless Summer) focuses on massive ocean storms, which serve as the source for colossal waves. Such storms are sought, with increasing scientific sophistication, by determined surfers who employ everything from satellite technology to government data to eyewitness reporting in order to track extreme weather and predict where a resulting big wave will hit, far away. Although the quest for big waves began on Oahu's North Shore in the 1950s, today's globe-hopping surfer hooked on a life-or-death challenge is a relatively recent phenomenon. So, what's the attraction? The surfers interviewed here talk about the thrill of being caught in a moment where they have no choice but to either ride out so much power or die surrendering to it. DVD extras include a bonus interview and a photo gallery. Offering an often fascinating look at the lengths that extreme sports enthusiasts will go to, this is recommended. Aud: P. (T. Keogh)