Chasing Mavericks is a 2012 American biographical drama film about the life of American surfer Jay Moriarity (portrayed by Jonny Weston). The film is directed by Curtis Hanson and Michael Apted, and co-stars Gerard Butler, Elisabeth Shue, Abigail Spencer, and Leven Rambin.
Filming took place in October 2011. While Hanson began production, Apted was brought in to finish the final 15 days of shooting and post due to Hanson’s failing health. It was the final film directed by Hanson before his death in 2016, and the second-last film directed by Apted before his death in 2021. Chasing Mavericks was released in the United States on October 26, 2012.
In 1987, an 8-year-old boy in Santa Cruz, California named Jay Moriarity is saved from drowning by his next door neighbor, surfer Frosty Hesson (Gerard Butler). This ignites his passion for the sport.
One morning, Jay (Jonny Weston), now 15, sees Frosty leaving early and hitches a ride on his van. He sees Frosty and three of his friends riding a gigantic swell known as Mavericks which, with El Niño coming in, will be at its height in three months’ time.
Reluctantly, Frosty agrees to teach Jay how to surf Mavericks, but insists that he learn about the “foundation pillars of surfing”. This involves learning to paddle board 36 miles across Monterey Bay (from Santa Cruz to Monterey), treading water for 40 minutes and being able to hold his breath for four minutes.