By Staff
NEW BUFFALO – Third Coast Surf Shop and Marina Grand Resort present the Michigan premiere of "Surfing 50 States," an independent travel documentary that chronicles two Australian filmmakers' quest to experience America by surfboard – including a stop in Harbor Country.
Although surfing all 50 states sounds like a challenge, filmmakers Jonno Durrant and Stefan Hunt adopted the motto: "As long as you're standing on a surfboard with some kind of momentum, you're surfing."
From riding icy waves in Alaska to surfing a pile of potatoes in Idaho, Durrant and Hunt explore and invent previously unimaginable ways of riding a surfboard.
The filmmakers demolish longstanding myths – not to mention surfboards and the old ice-cream truck they drive to each new destination – as they travel across the country introducing the art of surfing to astonished locals who have never seen a surfboard or a surfer in their lives.
"We really hope our movie shows young people that you can make your own fun anywhere you go, even if that fun is 'surfing' where there are no waves," says Durrant.
Slated for Saturday, Jan. 10, the festivities will begin with an open house from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Third Coast Surf Shop, located at 22 S. Smith St. in New Buffalo.
"Surfing 50 States" filmmakers will be on hand to talk with attendees, and the shop will hold an exclusive sale on apparel, accessories and select other merchandise.
At 7, the event will move to Marina Grand Resort, 600 W. Water St. in New Buffalo, for the official Michigan premiere of "Surfing 50 States." Admission to the screening is free.
Hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. Attendees will be eligible for door prizes and giveaways, and DVDs of the film, packed with bonus footage and additional features, will be available for $15.
"We met some amazing people on the Great Lakes, and we really want to share this story with them," says Hunt.
For more information about the premiere, contact Ryan Gerard at (269) 932-4575.