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File photo. Ben Margot/AP/Press Association Images
Reel stories
Sports film of the week: Riding Giants
Every week we turn the lights down, get the popcorn on and watch one of your favourites together. Do join us.
Riding Giants
Released: 2004
Director: Stacy Peralta
Tagline: It doesn’t get any bigger than this.
Classification: For surf dudes with attitude. And everybody else really.
The plot: From the man who brought you the brilliant “Dogtown and Z-Boys”, Riding Giants takes us into the world of giant waves and the men who risk their lives to ride them.
As Perlata explores the rise of surf culture, thrilling footage is cut together with an introduction to some of the sport’s true characters — Greg “The Bull” Noll, Jeff Clark and Laird Hamilton.
Why do they do it? It’s all about the ride.
What the critics said: “It’s a fascinating window into a death-taunting mindset, but unfortunately Peralta is so concerned with glorifying his subjects that he ignores the downside of this manic obsession.” (Stella Papamichael, BBC)
YouTube credit: alessandroisback
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