The Ultimate Wave Tahiti

The Ultimate Wave Tahiti is an educational and thrilling 3-D film featuring nine-time world championship surfer Kelly Slater, who with his surfing buddy Raimana Van Bastolaer, look for that perfect wave in the pristine waters of beautiful Tahiti.

I have always been terrified of becoming another link in the ocean’s food chain, and so I have resisted feverously the many offers from my brother – who is a surfer – to teach me how to glide down a wave, and experience the rush. If you are like me (chicken), and you want the surf experience… sans the water, this film is a must see. OK, so maybe watching a film isn’t quite the same as actually living the real deal, but this film is pretty awesome!

The Ultimate Wave Tahiti is a cross between National Geographic documentary (for its educational content) and a family vacation film, albeit a beautifully shot family holiday flick. I compare it as such because; it has a very personal feeling, and embraces the viewer much like a personally shot video. The technology used by the filmmakers was the same as the that which was used for the box office mega hit Avatar, only in this instance the images projected are real, and not digitally created, so it allows the viewer to dream realistically about visiting the island of Tahiti.

Animation is part of the film, as it is used to illustrate how the Society Islands were formed – among them Tahiti – as well as to explain the mechanics of waves and currents. Underwater cameras were used to take the audience on a virtual ‘flight’ through the coral reef ecosystem and the vast ocean life, as well as of course to bring us as close as possible to Slater and Van Bastolaer, while they rip through the surf. The shots were breathtaking; that one has the sensation of being splashed by water, or that the surfboard has just missed hitting you my mere millimetres. The 3-D effect makes the entire experience all the more enjoyable of course; not only are you ‘swimming’ through the coral reef, but the fish come off the screen and into the cinema.

Surfing enthusiasts would really enjoy this film, but I believe that it is equally as engaging for those of us who are water shy, and especially children. The only complaint I had about The Ultimate Wave Tahiti is that it was rather short; I wanted to see more. Perhaps the intention of the producers was to eventually share it with us on the small screen in our homes, and what a treat that will be. I’m certain that you will watch the movie, and then hit the internet to plan a trip to experience it all on your own.

The Ultimate Wave Tahiti

Rated: PG