“True Adventure: Surf Riders of Hawaii” (c.1960) is a black-and-white documentary TV episode highlighting the sport of surfing in Hawaii. This film is part of a greater 60s-era TV series called True Adventure which was hosted by Bill Burrud. In this particular installment, host Bill Burrud introduces the film alongside famed surfer and videographer Bruce Brown. Bruce was known for his short films that shed light on the culture and sport of surfing and was best known for his film “Barefoot Adventure.” The film touches on the most dangerous parts of the sport, where the best surf is, as well as the surfers’ pass times during the off season. Thought to have Polynesian origins dating back to the 12th century, surfing rose in popularity across the world during the early 20th century thanks to stars of the sport, George Freeth and Duke Kahanamoku. American interest in the sport grew once more during World War II as servicemen turned to surfing while stationed in Hawaii.

Opening sequence and credits for Bill Burrud’s True Adventure series: avalanche, deep sea diver, mountain climber (0:08). Bill Burrud speaks to audience, opening words introducing segment on surfing in Hawaii (0:28). Montage surfers ride large waves, view down barrel, young man jumps from rocky cliff into water (0:51). Bill Burrud sits beside famous surfer and filmmaker, Bruce Brown (1:23). Scene of waves rolling in towards shore framed by tree and rocks (2:13). Aerial view from plane window of Hawaii (2:23). Young men in Hawaiian outrigger boat row towards sandy, palm tree-lined beach (2:26). Polynesian hula dancer stares up at waterfall (2:37). Bill Burrud continues interview Bruce Brown about sport of surfing in Hawaii as montage of surfers riding tall, rough waves; some scenes of surfers wiping out plays (2:40). Perhaps 1950s Plymouth Deluxe drives through flood on local road with surfboards strapped to roof, guys help manually push the car through water (4:46). The Plymouth drives along winding coastal road, young man sits on one of the headlights as car is in motion (5:07). Scenes of young guys playing around in shallow water, sliding on rocks, jumping from cliffs with surfboard into the surf (5:20). Montage of big waves caused by storms in North Pacific in Bering Sea near Alaska (6:55). Group of guys ride on desolate sandy shore with “sand sailor,” structure made from aluminum tubing with a sail, camera shakes emulating feeling of riding around on the sand sailor (8:30). Three banged up perhaps 1950s Plymouth Deluxes drive recklessly on muddy road, surfers get out and walk barefoot through fresh mud (9:29). Waimea Falls, guys jump from cliffs into water below (9:55). Newly arrived surfers park car at scenic lookout, looking out onto north side of Oahu from Palais Cliff (11:20). Bruce Brown and friend drive down steep, winding road; car appears to have no brakes (12:10). Montage of guys “body surfing” in large waves (13:36). Surfers stand shoulder-to-shoulder wearing t-shirts, sweaters on shore and watch the surf (15:43). Feet playfully sticking out of sand, surfers Del Cannon and Carrie Nielsen “foot wrestle,” others join in on toe wrestling activities (16:02). “Big Surf season,” surfers catch big waves that break close to shore (17:22). Coral reef, colorful fish swimming below the surf, fins of surf boards gliding through the water (18:49). Footage of surfers riding “big surf” waves like those at Makaha Beach, Waimea Bay (19:19). Back to Bill Burrud and Bruce Brown sitting together at TV studio offering closing words, the pair promote Bruce Brown’s film “Barefoot Adventure” (1960) with musical score by Bud Shank (22:26). Closing credits (25:23).

Bruce Alan Brown (1937 – 2017) was an American documentary film director, known as an early pioneer of the surf film. He is best known for 1964’s “The Endless Summer” which is considered among the most influential surf films ever made.

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com