A sign on the 130-year-old pier at Saltburn-by-the-Sea warns people not to jump off it. On a big surf day surfers make their way to the end of the sturdy 206 metre structure and jump like lemmings into the cold, murky North Sea. Words: Simon Palmer Photos: Ian Forsyth

James Bowden recently explored the farthest shores of the British Isles, taking nothing more than his van, good friends and good expectations. He recounts his journey through the lens...

Kye Fitzgerald recounts the tale of the unusual return of Bobby Owens' magic board. Photos: Mark Onorati, Aitionn

Richard James and his brother Andrew recently finished shooting their first film, a surf trip of 30,000 kilometres along the west cost of Africa. Words and photos: Richard James

Championed by surfers in the know for over 30 years, but largely ignored by mainstream riders; has the time finally come for the Bonzer to shine? Words: Steve Croft & Mark Sankey Photos: Alexa Poppe

...in the age of the programmable hand. San Diego's Josh Hall explains why he has chosen to tread the well-worn path of hand-shaping, in conversation with Andy Smith. Photos: Garrett Highhouse, T. Colla, Ryan Tatar

‘Searching for Michael Peterson’

August 04, 2009 | Words By: Christiaan

mp-bottom-turn-at-77-stubbies-by-peter-crawford‘Searching for Michael Peterson’ (accompanied by director Jolyon Hoff) kicks off its UK tour tonight with a screening in London, followed by dates in Brighton, Poole, St Davids, Bristol, Bude & Newquay. (Photo by Peter Crawford)

‘Searching for Michael Peterson’ by Jolyon Hoff is a documentary telling the moving story of one of Australia’s greatest surfers, whose career was cut short by mental illness.

For five glorious years MP led the Coolangatta Kids and won virtually every event he contested, including three Bells Beach Pros back-to-back. His brilliant, aggressive surfing provided the centrepiece for Alby Falzon’s ‘Morning of the Earth’ in 1972, and MP never looked back. His final tour victory, at the inaugural Stubbies Pro at Burleigh Heads in 1977, is regarded as the high point of the early professional era. Sadly, a year later, triumph turned to tragedy and Michael’s demons claimed him.??In 1983 he was locked up after a 15-car police chase across Queensland and finally diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He never surfed again.

‘Searching for Michael Peterseon’ screened to sell-out audiences across Australia. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch it in the UK. Screening dates include:

* Tues 4 August: Roxy Bar & Screen, Borough High Street, London (SE1). Doors open 7pm, screening at 8pm, £3 on the door.
* Wed 5 August: The Sallis Benney Theatre, Grand Parade, Brighton. Doors open 7.30pm, screening at 8pm, £5 on the door or in advance through Brighton Dome Box office: 01273 709 709.
* Fri 7 August: The Lighthouse, Poole. Call 0844 406 8666 for details.
* Sat 8 August: Solva Memorial Hall, Solva, Nr St Davids, Wales. Screening at 8pm, £5 on the door.
* Sun 9 August: The Cube Cinema, 4 Princess Row, Bristol. Screening at 8pm, £5 on the door.
* Tues 11 August: Bude Community Cinema, The Parkhouse Centre, Bude. Screening at 8pm, £5 on the door.
* Wed 12 August: Carnmarth Hotel, Headland Road, Newquay. Doors and bar open at 7.30pm, screening at 8pm, £5 on the door.
* See www.thesurfscreen.com for details and updates.

Searching for Michael Peterson Trailer from jolyon hoff on Vimeo.

“I loved it” Scott Hulet, The Surfer’s Journal
“Brought a tear to my eye” Alby Falzon, director of ‘Morning of the Earth’
“At last! A surf movie that gets in your face and personal!” Bob McTavish, legendary Australian surfer & shaper

     

Comment

←
→

Advertise here