Sunday, February 8, 2009

Surfwise.


Surfwise, directed by Doug Pray, is an interesting look inside the life and philosophies of Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz, a Standford-educated doctor who rejected a "traditional" life in favor of traveling the world surfing with his wife and family of 9 kids living in a 24-foot camper. The perspective changes from present day interviews to flashbacks of stills and home movies as you hear their story. At times, it seems like Doc has a lot of insight, and his approach to life progressive.

I was surprised at the crossover between some of the notions described in 2012 and the way he lived and raised his children. He believes in the importance of family, self-sufficiency, promoting good health, feeling a part of the universe, and rejecting the modern world's excess, which he describes as spinning out of control. But you also see the other side of this radical lifestyle, and the negative effects of this upbringing as the children became adults and eventually left the "nest".

One thing is evident: this is a man who tried something different with the life he was given, something he was compelled to explore. In some ways it worked out as a blissful existance with the one thing that mattered most – his family – but it came at a price. At any rate, this is an exceptional group of people with an interesting story. Take a look at this documentary if any of this peaks your interests.

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