Billabong Trilogy premiere

Firstly let me say, I am not Barney Miller*. Thankfully the guy on the door at the premiere of Billabong’s latest surf flick, Trilogy, didn’t know this (and if he did know Barney I would’ve been out on my arse), and so it was that I found myself downing free Corona’s with the surf stars in the VIP section at Circle on Cavill.

Trilogy would have to be the most hyped surf movie since, well, anything! Perhaps even more hyped than Transformers , but unlike that steaming pile of crap, Trilogy actually delivered. Featuring Billabong stable-mates Joel Parkinson (QLD, pictured right with some annoying mutant fan-boy), Taj Burrow (WA) and Andy Irons (Hawaii), and whole lot of passport stamping, the movie briefly showcases the lads at their respective home breaks, then goes on to throw them into various jaw-dropping breaks around the world including Hawaii, Bali, Mexico, Morocco and more.

Highlights for me were Andy surfing the rifling pits of Mundaka, and this was proper Mundaka, not the 3′ slop that has haunted the WCT competition since the famous lefthander rose from the dead. Funny to see the local Spaniards trying their best to snake the Hawaiian blow-in, but failing miserably and having to watch Andy get shacked off his nut. But probably the best aspect of this movie is the distinct lack of airs. Sure, there is some absolutey stinkin’ aerial surfing in amongst it, but on the whole it is just three of the best surfers in the world gorging themselves on perfect barrels and throwing buckets galore when the opportunity arises. For me it’s a welcome change from the usual bombardment of above the lip surfing, which just depresses me since I’m yet to throw my 110kg frame more than one foot above the lip whilst still connected to my board.

On the whole this is definitely a movie that will be living in my DVD player for a while (especially if Billabong send me a free copy! nudge), even if just to play back the bangin’ soundtrack! I’m one of those people who recognises the songs, but has absolutely no idea of the band’s names, but I’m told it includes Angels and Airwaves, Placebo, TV on the Radio, Mickey Avalon, the Sounds, Brazil and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Check out www.trilogymovie.com for trailers, downloads, and release info. The DVD is supposed to be available before the festive season…

* Many thanks to Barney for not showing up, and to all-over-it Gold Coast socialite Stringer for clueing me in to his absence! Barney is well known on the Gold Coast, mainly for the annual Barney Miller Classic surf competition and the work he does with the Disabled Surfers Association. Find out more about this bloody worth cause at www.disabledsurfers.org.  Stringer is just a legend who had to learn the hard way that I’m not a person to be lending your board to…