Surfing has taken on a mystique of its own in the past five or six decades. Whenever we think of a free-spirited, devil-may-care sort of person who is also a fun-lover, our minds converge on the image of someone surfing a wave with a gigantic smile plastered on their face. Well, maybe you don't. But you should. Anyway, one of the great things about this image is that it lends an endless amount of possibilities to filmmakers who want to make a surfing film. And there are actually quite a few good ones out there, as well as documentaries.
One of the most well-known surfing films (possibly the most well-known) is The Endless Summer, from 1966. This film chronicles the adventures of surf fanatics Mike Hynson and Robert August as they tour the world, searching for the best surf spots therein. The movie depicts the pair's journey in a style rather more like a journal than a film – in actuality, the film is more of a documentary. Whether you are a surfing aficionado or not, there is no denying the beauty of the cinematography and scenery. After all, these two are travelling to some of the most remote beaches on Earth in search of the “perfect wave”. You'd expect the locations to be pristine and magnificent, and they most certainly are.
If you're looking for a movie that is focused (sort of) on surfing and is yet a whole lot of fun, you could also watch Surf's Up. This animated film – yes, animated film; they aren't just for kids – is in a mockumentary/regular film mash-up style, and is sufficiently eccentric to be appealing to an audience not exclusively comprised of children. Ah yes; the movie also stars penguins and different avian folk as the main protagonists. This delightful blend of enchanting animation and goofiness is a charming one, and is definitely worth a watch by anyone with an hour and a half to spend on a light, entertaining film.