This week the independent surf film Beyond the Surface will make its Australian debut at the Byron Bay Surf Festival. I love that the movie profiles India’s first female professional surfer, Ishita Malaviya. She has catapulted to surfing fame, and is the only Indian surfer to be appointed an ambassador by Roxy.
Malaviya began surfing in 2007, and she heads up the Shaka Surf Club and Camp Namaloha in Karnataka, India, where they provide surf lessons to locals and visitors and help spread the positive vibes of surf culture. At Camp Namaloha, you can set up a tent and enjoy an after surf bonfire in this beautiful, remote location.
Beyond the Surface is a documentary directed by Crystal Thornburg-Homcy and filmed by award winning cinematographer, Dave Homcy. It chronicles the travels of Ishita Malaviya and her surfing friends (Liz Clark, Lauren Hill, Emi Koch, and Kate Baldwin) as they travel through Southern India. As a group, the women are on a mission to document the surf culture in India–how it has affected and continues to affect the lives there.
Malaviya has said her goal in life is to highlight the Southern Indian coast as a premier surfing destination, and she definitely showcases the area in the film. She is very passionate about getting other women and locals to enjoy the awesome surf that Southern India has to offer. Many Indians are frightened of the ocean (there are many drownings every year); Ishita would like to share her love of the ocean and get more of her fellow citizens into the water. Other subjects highlighted in the film are ecotourism in India and youth and women’s empowerment, particularly in India.
Beyond the Surface won Best Feature, Best Cinematography, Emerging Filmmakers, and Spirit of the Fest at the San Diego Surf Film Festival this past summer.
Below, you will find a trailer for this fab film!
