Surfing saw a massive surge in popularity in the 1970’s. While it is still up for debate, many believe that it was the 1980s when surfing really hit its stride. With the introduction of neon wetsuits and shortboards, world champion surfers like Tom Curren and Tom Carroll, and the regulatory authority of the ASP (Association of Surfing Professionals), many who grew up surfing that decade believe it to be the golden age of surfing.
While it may be true that the 80’s were a wonderful time to be a surfer, the film industry may not have been at its best, especially as far as surf movies were concerned. But that doesn’t mean that there weren’t some quality surf flicks. So, if you’re looking for some nostalgia, something to take you back to the wonderful 80’s surf scene, check out this list of the best 80’s surf movies.
1. North Shore (1987)
Synopsis:After learning how to surf by using the local wave tanks, Arizona resident Rick uses his winnings from a recent contest to fly to Hawaii and try to make a living for himself as a professional surfer.
North Shore is one of the better-known, more popular surf movies of the ’80s.It originally flopped in theaters, but it is now considered a cut classic. Following protagonist Rick through his journey from an Arizona Wave Rider Champion to a professional surfer in Hawaii, North Shore combines the right amount of comedy and drama while mixingin excellent surfing action scenes and a pure ‘80s soundtrack to embody all that was of the ‘80s surfing culture.
Genre: Adventure
Release Date: Aug. 14, 1987
Stars: Matt Adler, Gregory Harrison, Nia Peeples
Length: 96 min.
Streaming: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video
2. Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Synopsis: Stacy Hamilton is a pretty but inexperienced teen interested in dating. Given advice by her uninhibited friend, Linda Barrett, Stacy gets trapped in a love triangle with nice guy Mark Ratner and his more assured buddy, Mike Damone. Meanwhile, Stacy’s classmate, Jeff Spicoli, who lives for surfing and being stoned, faces off against Mr. Hand, a strict teacher who has no time for the slacker’s antics.
Although more of a coming-of-age story than a surf movie specifically, Fast Times at Ridgemont High does a great job of embodying the ‘80s surfing lifestyle thanks to Sean Penn’s Spicoli.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High is based on the book of the samename, written by Cameron Crowe, that is a true account of Crowe himself going undercover in a San Diego high school to chronicle the lives of its students.
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Release Date: Aug. 13, 1982
Stars: Sean Penn, Jenifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold
Length: 90 min.
Streaming: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video
3. Under the Boardwalk (1988)
Synopsis: Socially polar opposite California teens (Danielle von Zerneck, Richard Joseph Paul) fall in love at the beach, which calls for some combat surfing.
Under the Boardwalk is a 1980s take on the classic Romeo and Juliet story that sees two teens in California fall in love but are separated by both their backgrounds and their rival social groups.
At first glance, Under the Boardwalk could be considered your typical ‘80s teen romance, but the inclusion of surf culture and some excellent surfing scenes take the movie from a run-of-the-mill romance flick to a dive into the ‘80s surfing scene … at least during the first half of the movie.
Genre: Comedy/Drama/Action
Release Date: April 1989
Stars: Richard Joseph Paul, Danielle von Zerneck, Keith Coogan
Length: 103min.
Streaming: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video
4. Surf II
Synopsis: A group of California surfers and their girlfriends attempt to stop a crazy nerd chemist out to force-feed teens with bad Buzz cola.
A sequel to a movie that never existed (there was no Surf I), this over-the-top comedy sees a crazed nerd attempt revenge on a group of surfer dudes by turning them into zombies with his chemically altered cola.
In a decade that saw its share of bad comedy/horror movies, Surf II fits right in.It’salmost as if it was made this bad on purpose, as it touts itself as “the movie that gives insanity a bad name.”
While the movie bombed at the box office after dropping the idea of beign featured in 3D, it has become a cult classic over the years.
Genre: Comedy
Release Date:Jan. 13, 1984
Stars: Eddie Deezen, Linda Kerridge, Terry Kiser
Length: 91min.
Streaming: Not available to stream, rent, or purchase.
5. Hard Bodies (1984)
Synopsis: Frumpy singles Hunter, Rounder, and Ashby rent a beach house to take advantage of the surf, sun, and scores of available women. Not having what it takes, the men hire a sexy young surfer, Scotty, to help them meet girls.
Sex comedies were another popular genre in the ’80s.Despite this movie’s low review scores, if that is what you are looking for, then Hard Bodies does not disappoint.
The movie focuses on sex more than it does surfing,which is more of an afterthought than anything else.If you take this movie in the lighthearted nature that it was intended, the flick can be enjoyable, however out of date it may seem. It is a movie that should be taken with a grain of salt, though, asit isn’t for everyone.
Genre: Sex Comedy
Release Date: May 4, 1984
Stars: Grant Cramer, Teal Roberts, Gary Wood
Length: 88min.
Streaming: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video
6. Puberty Blues (1981)
Synopsis: Two Australian teenage girls try to join the cool surfing crowd, seeking experience and acceptance.
Puberty Blues is a slightly less dark take on the 1979 novel of the same name in which two young girls attempt to enhance their social status by joining an Australian surf gang, which features a culture that revolves around a careless attitude toward casual sex, alcohol, and hard drugs.
While the movie may not paint surfers in the best light by today’s standards, a lot of what was portrayed was indicative of the Australian surf scene at the time.
Movies like this that show a very specific culture can sometimes be hard for anyone not familiar with itto watch, so this is another film that may not be for everyone.
Genre:Comedy/Drama
Release Date: Dec. 10, 1981
Stars: Nell Schofield, JadCapelja, Jeffery Rhoe
Length:87 min.
Streaming: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video
7. Blazing Boards (1985)
Synopsis:The original surf flick featuring Hawaii, Australia, California, Mexico, and Exotic Isles that captures the very essence of what riding waves is all about.
Flying well under the radar today, Blazing Boards was an essential documentary when it came to surfing in the 1980s.
Following professional surfers Tom Carroll and Tom Curren, Blazing Boards does an outstanding job of capturing the surf culture of the ’80s.It covers so much of that surfing lifestyle to the point where many consider the film relevant today.
Whether you’re just getting into surfing or you’re a seasoned veteran looking for a classic documentary that portrays the surf culture of the 1980s, Blazing Boards is a must-watch.
Genre: Documentary
Release Date:1985
Stars: Tom Carroll, Tom Curren, Gary Elkerton
Length: 95 min.
Streaming: Not available to stream
8. Tales of The Seven Seas (1981)
Synopsis: Tales of The Seven Seas is the most spectacular surfing adventure ever filmed.It’s beautiful and exotic with footage from the ’80s,which includesCalifornia’s big January swell, Tom Curren at Rincon, Indonesia, the Caribbean, Hawaii’s Outer Islands, Huge Pipeline, and Waimea Bay, plus the discovery of perfect surfing paradises in many distant lands.
While claiming to be the most spectacular surfing adventure ever filmed may seem like an extremely high standard to live up to, Tales of The Seven Seas is just that. With incredible surf footage from around the world, this movie is a must-watch, whether you are thinking about getting into surfing, have been a part of the culture for many years, or just love watching exciting and exotic surf footage.
Genre: Documentary
Release Date: 1981
Stars: J Riddle, Wayne Bartholomew, Larry Bertlemann
Length: 80min.
Streaming: Surf Network
9. Amazing Surf Stories (1986)
Synopsis:A landmark film by Scott Dittrich and his network of cameramen around the world, Amazing Surf Stories features six action-packed adventures, each exploring a different aspect of the total surfing experience.
There isn’t a lot that can be said about Amazing Surf Stories that wasn’t already summed up in the movie’s synopsis. If surfing is your passion, then Amazing Surf Stories is a must-watch, and one of the best all-around surf flicks on this list.
Genre: Sports Documentary
Release Date: 1986
Stars: Mike Parsons, Vetea David, Shaun Tomson
Length: 77min.
Streaming: Surf Network
10. Surf Nazis Must Die (1987)
Synopsis: When the son of a gun-wielding woman is murdered by neo-Nazi surfers in a post-apocalyptic future, his mother hunts them down to exact her bloodthirsty revenge.
What would a list of movies from the 1980s be without a cheesy horror film?Even better, it is a surf movie, too.
After an earthquake off the California coast leaves the local beaches in ruins, a group of neo-Nazi surfers battles rival gangs to take control of those beaches. After her son Leroy is killed by the group while jogging along the beach, Leroy’s mother vows revenge, breaking out of her nursing home and arming herself with guns and grenades to hunt down her son’s murderers.
Sounds over the top, right? That’s because it is. But that’s exactly what many‘80s horror flicksdo, go over the top.
If you’re into B-rated horror movies and surfing (an odd combination, we know), then you should check out Surf Nazis Must Die, even if for nothing more than a good laugh at the expense of 1980s culture.
Genre: Horror/Comedy
Release Date: July 3, 1987
Stars: Gail Neely, Robert Harden, Barry Brenner
Length: 83min.
Streaming: YouTube, Amazon Prime Video