From the spirit of Jay Moriarity to women’s surfing to the powerful presence of Greg Noll, surfing fans are in for a treat June 17-20 when the first annual Half Moon Bay Big-Wave Surfing Film Festival takes place at the Oceano Hotel in Princeton Harbor. Just a stone’s throw away from the Big Wave Surfing Mecca known as Maverick’s. The Bull (Greg Noll), the legendary big-wave pioneer, will be on the red carpet Wednesday night and introducing his film, “Search For Surf,” Greg teamed up with storied filmmaker Bruce Brown to document their experiences in California and Hawaii during the early years of the sport.

“What a great way to open an event like this, with one of the sport's most legendary and inspirational icons. Greg is everyone's hero, and a classic character,” said Grant Washburn, Maverick's Surfer and Event Organizer.

The following night will be a tribute to the late Jay Moriarity, who died on a free-diving expedition off the coast of India in 2001. Moriarity was one of the best surfers ever to ride Maverick’s, and is held close to the hearts of the surfing community. The featured films that Thursday night will be “Whipped” and “Ride On,” each produced by Eric Nelson and Curt Myers of Powerlines Productions.

“We’re beyond excited to host an event that features Big-Wave Surfing, the filmmakers and the surfers themselves”, said Katherine Clark, Event Organizer. “This is just the beginning of what will become a great tradition in the Big-Wave off season.”

Seldom, if ever, have so many highly regarded surf films been on display over such a short time. The event will be held inside the new Harbor Villages shopping center at Princeton, in the shadow of Maverick’s, and visitors are likely to see a number of big-wave superstars in attendance.
In addition to the films, a photo-and-surfboard gallery will be on display throughout the festival at the Oceano Hotel, inside Harbor Village. Photos include some of the best work from Frank Quirarte, Doug Acton, Don Montgomery, Ed Grant, Seth Midgall, and others who have shot Maverick’s over the years.The complete schedule:Wednesday, June 17, at ballroom of the Oceano Hotel:

Reception at 6 p.m, followed by 7 p.m. Greg Noll’s “Search for Surf,” with Noll a featured speaker, highlighting the early days of big-wave riding at Waimea Bay, Pipeline, Sunset Beach and Makaha.

8:30 p.m. “The Perfect 10” The Story of Big Wave Africa 2008. The shocking event held at Dungeons last July prompted Surfing Magazine's Evan Slater to state "this is possibly the biggest paddle-in surf ever photographed.” Highlights include Maverick's Champions Tazzy, Flea, Greg Long and Twiggy Baker, as well as regulars Matt Ambrose, Grant Washburn and Tyler Smith challenging the South Atlantic beast. International icons like Carlos Burle, Paul Patterson, Jamie Sterling, Ross Clark Jones and Mark Healey also join the fray, as do South Africa's best surfers and most treacherous waves. Produced by Red Bull South Africa and Fixer Films.
Directed by Neil Webster and assisted by Grant Washburn.
Thursday, June 18, Harbor Villages Atrium, Princeton:
Reception at 6 p.m, followed by 7 p.m. “Whipped,” by Powerlines Productions, documenting Flea Virostko, Peter Mel, Grant Washburn, Jeff Clark and many others during the epic 2000-01 winter season at Maverick’s, as well as footage from Cortes Bank.

8:30 p.m. “Ride On,” the latest film from Powerlines, featuring the November 2008 swell described as one of the best ever at Maverick’s. Powerlines Productions, Eric Nelson and Curt Myers, has dedicated themselves to documenting the history of surf in the Half Moon Bay area for the past several decades.

Friday, June 19, Harbor Villages Atrium,
Reception at 6 p.m., followed by (1) 7 p.m. “Year of the Drag-In,” a film produced by Eric Nelson, Curt Myers and Frank Quirarte, featuring the Maverick’s crew and a cast of international stars as they took the tow-in revolution to new limits in waves up to 70 feet on the face.

8:30 p.m. “Maverick's, the Documentary” a film produced and narrated by Grant Washburn, written with Bruce Jenkins, chronicles the story behind what has become the legend of Maverick's.

Saturday, June 20, Harbor Villages Atrium: Reception at 6 p.m,
Followed by 7 p.m. “One Winter Story”. By Frank Films. The accomplished filmmakers Sally Lundburg and Elizabeth Pepin study the inspiring life of Santa Cruz surfer Sarah Gerhardt, the first woman to ride Maverick’s

SOURCE: Big Wave Surf Film Fest