Chasing Mavericks (2012)

Chasing Mavericks is a true-story, coming-of-age sports drama about teen surfing prodigy Jay Moriarity and the unlikely mentor who prepares him to ride one of the biggest waves on Earth. When 15-year-old Jay discovers the legendary Mavericks break just miles from his Santa Cruz home, he persuades local surfing icon Frosty Hesson to train him. What begins as a daring athletic goal becomes a deep friendship and a personal journey in which discipline, courage and respect for the ocean are as important as technique. Watching the film you’ll get swept up in both the quiet, everyday life of a driven teenager and the adrenaline of big-wave surfing. Expect sweeping ocean cinematography, tense and spectacular surf sequences, and quieter, character-driven scenes as Frosty teaches Jay how to read waves, manage fear, and stay focused under pressure. The film balances thrilling action with emotional moments—mentor-and-student bonding, family dynamics, and the bittersweet side of pursuing an extreme dream. Overall, the movie delivers an uplifting, inspirational experience: exciting and visually impressive for sport fans, emotionally resonant for viewers who appreciate well-drawn relationships, and rooted in the real-life story of a young athlete pushing his limits.

Actors: Jonny Weston, Gerard Butler, Elisabeth Shue

Directors: Michael Apted, Curtis Hanson

Runtime: 116 min

Genres: Biography, Drama, Sport

5.9 /10 45 /100 7.1 /10 5.8 /10