If there’s any DVD that’s difficult to review, theBOX may be it. It’s not because it’s long, not because it isn’t totally comprised of professionals or familiar locations, but because this DVD isn’t just about the skimboarding that occurred during the making of it. The movie is more about the experience of being a skimboarder. Traveling, making new friends, riding unique waves, and probably running across some risky situations here and there. But to really absorb all of that, you’ll just have to watch it. Plain and simple. As far as the skimboarding goes, I can review that.
The introduction to the movie contains clip after clip of what I would describe as culture shock. Different places, different people, different lifestyles, all captured in a series of scenery shots. Hayward gives some background on the story of the DVD through voice over. Similes and metaphors but if you’re actually listening they’re clear as day. Oh, and you won’t hear anything MGMT or Passion Pit here. The music selection is spot on and unique, as with the rest of the DVD.
So, we get our first section of skimboarding in the form of your favorites in your favorite locations. Just to get you comfortable in your seat. And this will be your first glimpse of what I think is the greatest part of this DVD, which is the amount of good footage collected. Adam would never rush this film and he didn’t. Some of the most progressive skimboarding can be seen in this DVD. A lot of people said they wanted to see the bail clips from the Exile movies to see the things Domke and Grady and such were trying. Well in this DVD, you’ll see that. And much more of course.
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Then, we head to Florida. The local skimboarders sink their teeth into some juicy, clean waves. After that it’s Chile, with the local skimboarders of that area finding some quality waves as well. You know local boy Danny Diaz is in it and owning the rarely seen beaches. All including a radical liner and sider spot. Then more Laguna. Then off to the location we’ve all been waiting for, Brazil. More specifically, Sununga. Call it the elephant in the room when talking about theBOX. This is what you and I’ve been waiting for, and it does NOT disappoint. So, let’s just say, if for some dumb reason you’re not satisfied with what you got so far, just skip to 57:25 in and that’s all you need. That one clip could be the whole reason you bought this film. But it won’t be.
Then, back to Florida. Kind of funny when you think about it, but Florida ain’t so bad when you’re watching the best in the area go at it. We go back to Laguna, on a picture perfect day at 10th Street. And a not so perfect day at West Street, but Brad Domke and friends make it look perfect. Then, off to Dominican Republic. Hidden gems of shorebreak and siders littered about, with the likes of Woody Harris and friends to sample it. Now, back to Laguna for the last time. We wind things down with an amazing day at West Street and pain-inducing Wedge. During this time you’ll also witness Woody Harris’ crazy clip, deemed the bat turn.
Adam Hayward wraps it up with the moral of the story (DVD). The soundtrack is so perfect. Especially with the natural flow of the editing. I don’t know how to rate it, but if you forced me to I’d just say 10/10 because it’s just what I expected/wanted/needed. There’s no doubt that this is a much needed addition to your skimboarding video collection, but most importantly it’s a much needed video for the sport of skimboarding. Exploring new beaches, exposing new skimboarders, breaking outside of theBOX. Yeah, I did that. It’s probably not the actual meaning but it makes sense. Enjoy, my friends. And thanks to Adam Hayward for getting it all done.
Available for purchase in the Skim Invasion Depot
