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Teton Gravity Research presents Shack Therapy, a 16mm and hi definition film documenting the surfing and lifestyles of the world’s top board-riders. The film is shot in exotic locations worldwide, featuring today’s most progressive surfing. It features world famous surf breaks, from Jaws to J-Bay, as well as the mystique of searching for undiscovered perfection. New discoveries in Microenesia, Western Australia and Norway’s Lofoten Islands highlight the realisation of a surfer’s dream. Shack Therapy also incorporates state of the art cinematography, utilising board cams, water cams, land perspectives, jet ski follow-cams, and aerial cinematography.
Opening the feature, we head south of the border (so to speak) and in to Mexico. The beautiful region of Baja is well portrayed through the exceptional filming and production. The small travelling party head cross country to a number of locations, searching for free perfect waves. The segment is a good representation of the split in surfers worldwide, with the differing perspectives of a sole surfer and the professionals. As the sole surfer continues to ride untapped waves, his best friend is forced to head back to California to ride in grovel at a qualifying event for the World Championship Tour (WCT). Thems the breaks, eh!
Next the film heads to possibly the world’s best right hander, South Africa’s J-Bay (Jefferies Bay). In addition to the footage from the Billabong Pro there is a feature interview with 3-time ASP World Champion, Andy Irons. He gives a candid interview about the lifestyle enjoyed by those on the WCT tour. It’s followed by one of the most enjoyable parts of the film, the feature on a big day at Jaws. Revolving around the story of the Walsh Family – headed by renowned big wave charger, Ian Walsh – the story depicts, start to finish, not only the story of the surfers, but the families the surfers head home to. An interesting perspective.
The journey then transcends across the vast open plains of the Western Australian outback, as a small band of surfers undertake the ultimate road trip. Their efforts don’t go unrewarded, as they lock into a barrage of clean, overhead right hander’s at Jakes Point. From the desert to the snow (well close enough anyway) it’s then off to Norway… yes, Norway of all places, for a surfing expedition with a difference. Benji Weatherly. To finish, the movie signs off with a tropical visit to the Caroline Islands. Nestled in Micronesia, the islands provide the perfect haven for a dream getaway. The warm weather, good waves and a laidback lifestyle mirror the characteristics of the surfers existence.
While quality shot, high performance surfing is the backbone of the film, there’s still a fair amount of larrikinism and out-take shots that you’ve come to expect in a surfing feature film. Unlike other surfing DVDs, which can sometimes come up short in duration, Shack Therapy contains nearly an hour and a half of footage. As a surfer personally, I’ve seen my fair share of surfing films and without doubt, Shack Therapy is definitely one of the best.
