For as long as there have been surfers, there has been an accepted standard of what was normal-finless redwood planks in the 20s, longboards in the 60s, single-fins in the 70s, thrusters in the 80s and 90s. But today, there is no standard; there is no norm. There is only a group of surfers that are going their own way. FIN is an examination of the current state of the art, a time in surfing culture when surfers are compelled to ride whatever they want in order to facilitate a style that suits them best. FIN is a study of the end of one mentality, a look at the current epoch of surfing history, and a celebration of a time in surf culture when what you ride means nothing, but how you ride it means everything.
Cinematography
Water shots that'll ruin your local beach for you forever.
Direction
Saunders lets the surfing speak, no obnoxious narrator needed.
Production
DIY ethos baked into every grainy, gorgeous frame.
Director
Todd Saunders
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This 2004 doc captures surfing's 'post-identity' moment right before social media turned every session into content—arguably the last pure era.
Director Todd Saunders was a professional surfer himself before picking up a camera; he bankrolled FIN with leftover contest winnings and sheer stubbornness.
US
