User reviews

Generally speaking, I'm not that big on documentaries but I can of course appreciate a good one and can get intrigued by a great and interesting concept. And while it's not like this movie has an incredible subject, it still manages to be a great watch.

This is not a documentary about an all important subject or world changing event, or a legendary, influential person. It's the story of a not so very ordinary man, living a not so very ordinary live, with his wife and 9 children.

It's the story of a man, giving up basically everything he had in life and had build up with other persons, to explore himself and to do just the things he wants to do. That means surfing and traveling from beach to beach, in a camper, without a steady income or responsibilities to anyone else. He's living by his own ideologies and has his very own, sometimes very peculiar, ideas about what true happiness, wisdom is and how to achieve it all and what is good for you and not. It would be fine if he lived this life on his own but having a kid and 9 children living in a small camper with you, living by the same ideologies it's of course a bit troublesome and perhaps even irresponsible.

But it's not like the documentary is picking sides with anyone or condemns anything. Actually the things I really liked about this documentary was that for its first half it showed one big, happy family, that were really living the life and everything seemed just perfect. But then suddenly the second half started to show a far more less happy side of things and suddenly everything seemed not as cool and perfect as it did before. It shines two different lights on the same subject basically, which was an admirable and a bit of an unexpected thing for this documentary to do.

It's also a documentary that is good and pleasant to watch due to its pace. Some documentaries tend to dwell on for too long because they are so love in love with their subject. This documentary doesn't do this. It doesn't put anyone on a pedestal and actually does a rather surprising good job at giving as many people as possible an equal amount of screen time. This is a documentary about a large family, consisting out of 2 parents with 9 children but everyone gets to tell their side of things- and their own personal story, without ever making the documentary feel overlong. It tells you just enough and everything you really need to know.

Just in case you hadn't figured; a great documentary to watch!

8/10

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After, "Crumb", "Capturing The Friedmans", and to a much lesser extent, "The Devil And Daniel Johnston", I assumed I had seen my fair share of dysfunctional documentary families, but the Paskowitz also known as the "First Family Of Surfing", maybe the new heavy weights.

Assume for a second you father is a Jewish Stanford educated Dr., President of the medical association for the island of Hawaii, who has a mental breakdown/breakthrough...gives up his possessions, and moves to Isreal to live off the land. Here he introduces surfing to the 'Holy Land", and is in turn, taught the finer things in life, such as the application and enjoyment of Cunnilingus (an event which Dr. P claims "completely changed his life".) Dr. P, decides to abandon the pursuit of money or financial security, live in his van with his wife, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and surf. Dr. P, has 9 children who he raises in such a Camper.

The family is something of a surfing Partriges of the 70's, and are seen as a symbol of freedom, escape, and adventure to just about everyone they meet. Of course the kids are miserable, desperate to join the real world, which there father forbids them involvement with. . They listen to their parents have loud energetic sex, every single night, separated by a bed sheet. They are forbidden to have any formal education(one actually wants to be a DR.). At one point a family photo is on screen, everyone out in the water and smiling, and one brother says, "Adams bleeding in this picture actually, he didn't want to be in it. Dad made him". Which is the movie itself in microcosm.

More on that latter....

"Surfwise" is what Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz has sought to be after he found himself--a surfer guru. A Stanford-educated doctor and observant Jew fed up with conventional life and passionate about surfing, he put two failed marriages and an ordinary medical practice behind him in 1956 and left Hawaii for Israel. He hung out with the bedouin and taught Israelis to surf, but when they wouldn't let him join the military during the Suez crisis he went to California. He and Juliette, his new wife of Mexican/Mexican heritage, first made their home in a 1950 Studebaker. Next "Doc" set them up to wander in a 24-foot camper, working part-time in clinics and focusing on family.

And I mean family. For ten years Juliette was constantly pregnant or breast-feeding and the result was nine children, eight boys and one girl, all surfers, unschooled, living on a spartan diet of no fat or sugar, sometimes down to their last quarter and crammed into the little vehicle under the iron rule of Dorian and later of David, the eldest, the "captain" who carried out his orders--but later rebelled dramatically.

No school, no fat, lots of surfing. And always the little camper rig.

"Doc," now a tanned eighty-something with an arthritic limp but great vigor of mind and body who still surfs (on his knees), for five decades lived his life in the moment for the pleasures of the waves, which he passed on to the big Paskowitz brood and eventually to many others in his surfing school which several of his sons continue. He decided, as he explains in terms too frank to give here, that his previous marriages had failed because of poor sex. This time with the help of Juliette there was good sex and plenty of it-- every evening, in fact, in the confined quarters, where the kids also had to sleep. Not a very comfortable situation for the boys, whose nomadic life and lack of school made it hard for them even to meet girls.

"Doc" had become fiercely idealistic, and his example has influenced others and hasn't been rejected by his offspring. Their life was rough, artificial, and arbitrary, and not always fair to the kids. Nonetheless they were the envy of other kids who came their way. They didn't grow up ignorant because they read a lot of books--from public libraries which would like them back. "Doc" didn't condone stealing, but penurious circumstances sometimes necessitated a little lawlessness. Big risks were taken when the young ones faced the big waves. There were a couple of serious injuries. But they didn't risk being caught by truant officers because being on the go, the family lived off the books.

There is a carelessness and speed about Pray's film that's not entirely out of keeping with the material but is frustrating--right from the start. In over a decade of previous efforts like 'Hype!,' 'Scratch,' 'Red Diaper Baby,' 'Infamy,' and 'Big Rig' the filmmaker has tended toward punk, hip hop, and off-the-mainstream cultures and the Paskowitz radicalism--sort of--fits the picture, but details of the family history, which spans half a century in images and documents, are sometimes allowed to flit by too fast to take in or digest. It is stunning to see the row of boys in wet suits or shorts, perfectly graduated in height, tan and bursting with health if sometimes (by American super-sized standards) precariously lean. Those images are clear enough. "Doc" and Juliette, who're still together, living in Hawaii, and both speak a lot on camera, produced a passel of robust young people.

In an outtake son Abraham runs down the list in order of arrival on the scene. David was captain. Jonathan was the black sheep. Abraham was the "little lover," "the soft one," Israel was "the golden boy, "as talented as he was good looking." Moses was "the Macabee, the giant." Adam was "the genius." Salvador was the artist. Navah is the strongest women he's ever met. She lives a conventional life as a suburban housewife in Encino.

It's not easy growing up with a crusader, and Paskowitz was something of a dictator, though also fiercely protective. The kids weren't prepared for the outside world, for mercantilism, jobs, traffic, living in a world governed by money. "Doc" may have done OK without it, but they couldn't. And when they found friends who got sugar doughnuts for breakfast or later who used alcohol and drugs, it was hard to go back to multigrain gruel and clean living. They were human. Adam wanted more than anything to become a doctor. But when he found out at 18 that he'd need about ten years to catch up on normal preparation for college and medical school, sadly he gave up on those ambitions. He is the one now who pledges to "keep the dream alive" and "put my kids through what Dorian put us through." One brother is a professional artist, two are singers, another is in Hollywood. Izzy/Israel who has an autistic son, helps run Surfers Healing, a program of surfing for autistic kids. Two of the other sons are involved in the family surfing school. They seem all to have done well. Some have pretty strong complaints about how their special upbringing handicapped them, at least at first, but they seem to agree that the good outweighs the bad and that what their father gave them was priceless and unique.

I say "seem," because this documentary is neither cautious nor searching. There is an unfortunate slapdash feel about it. And it's not a good thing--not at all--that some of the key information seems to be in outtakes on the DVD. There are i's that need dotting and t's that need crossing. The film concludes with a family reunion staged in Hawaii. It emerges that some of the siblings hadn't seen each other or their parents for years. Details are not forthcoming.

Don't be fooled by the title. Surfwise is much more than a surfing movie. It chronicles the amazing journey of "Doc" Paskowitz, his nine kids and his beautiful and understanding wife Juliette. After two failed marriages, the doc packs up his "normal" life and goes Bohemian, living off the earth while teaching people how to surf. The highly religious man meets his life partner in Juliette and they immediately start having kids - one after the other. But that's where the normalcy ends. They travel around the country in a 24' cramped trailer – all eleven of them, eating healthy, the kids getting home schooled, surfing everyday, and staying below the radar from truant officers. To make money, the Paskowitz' start a surf school and "Doc" would occasionally take low-level medical positions. As was the case with "Doc," the kids became champion surfers and the family was profiled numerous times in magazine articles and television segments. Although many outsiders found this nomadic lifestyle idyllic, the kids started to rebel against "Doc." He was unyielding, he didn't offer them options, and it was either his way or "off" the highway as it were. It also didn't help that their parents were having sex just about every night in a small trailer with the nine of them watching and listening. As their hormones kicked in, they needed sexual release as well, but those needs were not met because they were constantly travelling without any chance to make their own relationships. One by one, they left the fold. Many of the kids became estranged from their parents and each other. But through it all, the kids turned out to be smart, intelligent, good parents, creative and successful in many ways. The cynicism in many would think that out of this dysfunctional upbringing would come the typical end game of suicides, failed marriages, or any other downers. But this couldn't be further from the truth.

What lingers is the fact that I really liked these people. I wanted to get to know them better and hang out with them. What "Doc" was preaching years ago is now fact – eating well, preserving the planet and loving one another is essential to survival. And although he didn't give his kids a choice and forced them to live life "his way," one can't really fault him for trying to give them the best that he thought was right.

Doug Pray makes great documentaries and I look forward to his next one.

Screened at the Starz Denver Film Festival.

This movie is not about surfing, although that is the background. It is a movie about parenting.

"Doc" Paskowitz drops out and becomes a surfer. he marries and has nine children. They all travel about the country in a 24' trailer.

Now, one can imagine the effect on the children as their brothers and sisters were being made right before their eyes in that trailer. They had sex every single night. "Doc" had his life, but what about them? No schools, no friends, just traveling from place to place so daddy can find himself.

Of course, you may accept his beliefs that "cultures (like ours) that are all f*cked up about f*cking, will decline and cause wars." And, maybe you can accept that having a bad family is better than no family.

But, you have to agree that his method of parenting had serious implications for how his children lived in the real world.

I couldn't have went back.

I found Surfwise to be a compelling watch. It's all about Dorian Paskowitz, a Stanford educated doctor who, after two failed marriages, decides to travel the world as an organic- living surf bum. With him is his wife Juliette, and their brood of nine (yes, nine) children. All boys and one girl. They travel everywhere in a camper, living poor and off the grid, going from wave to wave.

The Paskowitz family found some fame in the 70s and 80s, when their kids were young and winning surf contests. But as each child hit their late teens or early 20s, they wanted to go their own way, and this was considered treason by Dorian.

We meet each of the Paskowitz kids (now in their 30s and 40s) and Dorian "Doc" (in his 80s) and they each recount the adventures of traveling around like nomads and being the envy of normal, school-going kids wherever they went. That's the other thing. Dorian didn't send his kids to school. Whoops.

Bizarre as it may sound, this Stanford-educated guy actually rationalizes his unbelievably poor decision to not school any of his children. His attitude towards everything is self- serving. Did he never once pause and think "what if one of my children wants to become a doctor?". Maybe, but he didn't seem to care.

In fact, he rationalizes A LOT of self-serving decisions. Like trying to have sex with a 100 different women as fast as possible. Like having sex with his wife every night in the camper while his children were forced to listen.

As a result of the lifestyle they grew up with, the Paskowitz's seem fairly bitter. Like they were forced to stay on vacation for a decade. If you think about it, what would a childhood spent riding in the back of a camper with nothing but your siblings to keep you company be like? After the first few weeks, it would seem LIKE HELL!!!!!!!!!!

And Dorian's wife is eerily complicit with everything. The kids admit that they were beaten and that Dorian was basically a dictator. Did she say nothing?

I found the surfing aspect to the story fascinating as I can certainly understand Dorian's love of the sport and desire to drop out of mainstream existence. But in between his flights of poetic description in comparing surfing to "the jaguar, and the leap of the gazelle" (admittedly enticing) is his creepily propulsive swearing and messiah complex.

Frankly, Dorian just struck me overall as kind of a creepy weirdo who I wouldn't let near kids in the first place. Him and his wife. Their blank stares as they gaze at the cameras reminiscing about how they told their daughter to always thank someone for having sex with her. Bizarre.

Anyway, good surfing footage, and watch this movie for a good examples of how not to raise kids.

Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz has been riding the waves for nigh unto three-quarters of a century now. In 1956, at the age of 45, he abandoned a career as a doctor to pursue a life dedicated almost exclusively to surfing and raising a family - and he hasn't looked back since. In fact, Doc and his family have achieved a notoriety of sorts (in surfing circles, at least) for their nonconformist, iconoclastic lifestyle, which involved all eleven of them living together in a cramped 24-foot camper trailer, avoiding any kind of formal schooling, and flitting from one beach to another in search of the perfect wave. Now, in his mid 80s, Doc, along with his wife, Juliette, and their nine kids - eight of whom are named after Biblical figures - discuss their lives and upbringings in the fascinating documentary "Surfwise" by director Doug Pray. Life literally has been a beach for these people.

The thing that strikes us most about Doc is that he is no self-conscious radical trying to make an ideological point with his life; rather, he's a fairly average guy who's honest enough to admit that he never much cared for school or the money-grubbing rat race of the corporate or business world and that he is simply much healthier and happier when in the water. And it is these values that he has chosen to instill in his children, along with a devotion to their Jewish heritage and a healthy attitude towards sex (apparently, he and his wife were less than shy about showing their affection for one another in front of the children, much to the kids' consternation at times).

But there has been a definite downside to this nonconformity as well, and the movie does not shy away from depicting it - whether it be in Doc's dictatorial, even violent, methods of maintaining his authority over the kids or in the children's understandable desire to break free of their upbringing to lead a lifestyle more in accord with social norms. And, of course, there's the resentment they've come to harbor in their later years towards a father who, by willfully choosing to separate them from the outside world, rendered them ill-equipped to function in that world once they became adults (one son laments that he could never attend medical school because he was too far behind all the other applicants in basic knowledge to successfully compete with them). The movie raises the thorny issue of just how much right a parent has to deny his children the privileges and benefits that come from being socialized into the society around them. Was Doc practicing a form of child abuse - or simple providing his kids with a rare and perhaps enviable opportunity to live life as one long summer camp? (The family does actually run a camp of sorts dedicated to teaching the fine art of surfing to crowds of eager youngsters). Even the kids themselves can't agree on the answer to that question, with some feeling the need to defend their dad and the way in which he raised them and others choosing to lash out at and lambaste him for the same reason. Yet, the children could hardly be classified as dysfunctional adults, with each of them pursuing respectable careers and raising apparently stable and healthy families. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the documentary is that it leaves it up to the viewer to formulate his own assessment of Doc. We're never pushed to take sides in the conflict.

Through Doc's story, "Surfwise" provides a fascinating look at what it means to be a family, what it means to be a parent, and why it's important to find a balance between the overindulgences of the modern world and the deprivations of a simple life, not completely ignoring one at the expense of the other. The movie ends on an upbeat note with a long overdue reunion where old wounds are healed and old grudges put aside - all in the name of Family. Which is, I suppose, as it should be.

Dorian Paskowitz marches to a different drummer and he marched his wife and 9 children to that same beat. The sad theme was that "Doc" naively behaved as if his children were clones of him.

Anyone who is emotionally invested in eliminating diversity from our society will probably have a strong negative reaction to this film.

I'm glad the family decided to pull together for this film. Keeping group of siblings on good terms is a challenge for any family. This family has very special reasons for harboring animosity towards each other and I think it is a testament to the power of love and discipline that they seem to have come to terms with their lot in life.

If Doc and Juliette had been abusive alcoholics living in welfare housing there would have been no movie, nothing unique and certainly no happy reunion at the end. Those families are more acceptable and less remarkable than the Paskowitz family to the American sensibilities because they do not eschew the State but are assimilated into its worst functions.

I wish the kids would have spoken out against family violence. The film doesn't sweep it under the carpet but it certainly doesn't use the opportunity to speak out against it either. Jahfre

Just as the Godfather is a movie about family not crime, so is Surfwise a movie about family not surfing. And although this movie (or the vast majority of all movies) doesn't come close to the cinematic value of the Godfather, it's still one hell of good ride.

The film follows the lives of the Paskowitz family, detailing their strange upbringing that is in equal parts inspirational, radical, and debilitating. There family is so large, personalities so varied, talents so strong that it's easy to get lost between everyone yet the film manages to tie it all wonderfully together.

Full of home video footage, mixed with interviews and some lines causing me to spew whatever I was drinking in laughter and astonishment, this documentary keeps you engaged and thinking the entire time.

It's a powerful story, a mind-boggling piece of 'what if' psychology, and easily appreciated even if you are not a fan of surfing.

Bluesdoctor said it all. He is the only one not to be mesmerized by the movie and sees the good doctor for what he is. Too bad the others are so taken by the dream of a lifetime of surfing that they cannot see how the lives of his children were ruined by his narcissism and selfishness. I never met Dr.Paskowitz. However,I am a surfer. Many of my friends and a few of my sons have met him. I have 7 children and they are all surfers also. I'm a doctor too but I have spent my life working for the poor and disadvantaged. My kids are well adjusted and happy even thought they have to work like the rest of us. We surf as much as we can but we have another life also. I guess that it's too late for Dr.Paskowitz to try it. I am surprised by some of his statements because he doesn't seem like a scientist and we doctors need to be scientists as well as healer. He should have remembered the old adage, "Physician,heal thyself."

I agreed with a lot of things this family tried/did do, some things are a bit much for me. But I have seen a few of the Director Doug Pray's doc's and agree with the families choices or not, this was another great film.

Although the father could be widely criticized for his choices on raising his children, all in all I think it was done with good intentions. I think the big picture is: live well, eat healthy, be good to your fellow man and the earth. These are great standards to live by.

This was truly a great movie. I highly recommend it to documentary lovers, and non-doc lovers alike. Glad I watched it :)

We usually don't bother to review anywhere but our own sites, but we LOVED this movie! We have already recommended it to everyone we know and watched it twice! Such a cool movie, such a cool story. It would be so cool to live this guys life, except without the millions (well 9 really, same thing!) of kids. No thanks on that. But travel around the country, barley work, stop when ever and where ever, for however long you want. FREEDOM! Too bad extreme make over didn't exist back then, I would've written in to get this family a roomier ride/home. Anyway, watch and enjoy and let us know what you think! I can't imagine anyone not liking this movie......dude :)

Surf is up, way up, in fact - two thumbs up!

Very cool story. I've never heard of any thing quite like it.

I was lead to this movie by my surfer son, and every mother should watch it. (if only to say to your kids, "see, I could've raised you in a teeny trailer, no more complaining"). But seriously it gives you a new perspective on parenthood and life in general. I think it was very bold for this family to allow cameras to document all their personal thoughts and events. Would I do it? Probably not, but I'm glad they did. I really enjoyed their story. Surfwise is one of the coolest movies I have seen in a long time. For once I'm not wishing I had my two hours back.

What a crazy story! Being a surfer I wanted to see this right away. But it's not really a surfer movie, well it is, but there's a lot more to it. My whole family liked it, and it's so rare that we ever agree on anything! Even Grandma said, "thanks for not picking another stupid movie."

I think everyone should watch this movie. I liked it as much as "sicko" and "supersize me". Some documentaries important and informative for everyone to see. This is one of those. So happy watching, I hope you all enjoy it as much as we did and I'm sure you will. Nothing beats a good ol' true story :)

A pretty excellent viewing experience with some hilarious jaw-dropping moments, especially some of the comments from Doc. (Don't watch this with your kids if you're not comfortable talking about cunnilingus with them.) The movie is a little long, and it never answers the question of how you pay for gas, food, clothing, and campers without a job, but very worth watching. Excellent soundtrack, which I'm having a hard time finding (a little help anyone?). Doc's family philosophy is incredibly compelling, even if fatally flawed. Lots of moving moments, where some characters, I mean PEOPLE, come to some grave realizations about their lives, and you see how one man's whacked ideas can spread and infect the lives of others. The big question is, does Doc see what he hath wrought? You think YOUR family is screwed up...

Oh man. There really is not much about surfing in this movie. It is mainly about a large dysfunctional family headed by a narcissistic tyrant nutjob. It's painful to watch.

Considering this, I still tried to keep an open mind about the quality of the film-making itself. Whatever the true subject matter, is this a good documentary, is it well-crafted, does it flow, is it a piece of art in itself? Sadly no. Too many fast edits, too much sub-par music filling almost every minute of the move. Too much stock/filler footage. It doesn't really flow, it doesn't feel authentic, it feels schizophrenic. The moments captured on film are not allowed to "breathe" and carry the movie. They rather just seem carelessly slapped together, not skillfully woven together into a coherent whole.

Too many cooks in the kitchen? Looking at the credits I count at least 11 (!!) producers, co-producers, associate producers and executive producers...

It is unbelievable that this all really happened! You couldn't write a better story than this. Doctor turned "hippie on the road". To have 9 kids in itself is very out of the ordinary (I guess not as much back then, but still)and how they choose to raise these kids is down right unheard of! I can't get over the dialog of the wife saying that for 10 straight years she was either pregnant or breast feeding! Ten straight years! That is amazing. This family explains one mind blowing thing after another and they speak of it as if it's not strange at all. Which is of course because to them it is not strange, it is their life. I am so glad this family chose to document this amazing story of theirs.

After seeing this doc, I have Surfwise and the Paskowitz family on the brain! Their choices and their way of life is so thought provoking, maybe not 100% agreeable, but definitely thought provoking. The fact that this family is so different, and so hard to understand is what makes this story so intriguing . However, some of the points made by the parents are very important and hold a lot of weight. This man was a doctor, weighted with incurable anxiety and insomnia, he decided a new way of life would cure his ales and it seems he was right. A doctor walking away from modern medicine and turning to unproven, pipe dream cures. Very interesting, glad I watched it, this movie will give you a new out look on life.

Surfing is not the main focus of this movie. This is a documentary about a family that fed up with the normal life that we all lead, packs up and takes it all on the road. The NINE kids are home schooled and taught to eat healthy, and live well. Yes, they all surf and this is a big part of their lives, but there is so much more to be told. I am impressed with the guts of this father. Leaving his life and career behind to better himself and his family, however unconventional, still very impressive. It teaches the lesson to follow your dream, even if the rest of the world thinks your nuts! And what better to teach your children then courage and confidence to do what is right for you. Very interesting story, you have to watch it!

This story is so unique everyone must see it. I think it will appeal to surfers right away, but I think it is important to point out that this is not just a surfer movie, not at all. This is a documentary that details the upbringing of a very unique family. Once a doctor, the father decides he is ready for a major very unconventional change, and leaves his career to travel and disconnect. On the road this couple has and raises 9 children, with no schooling, no work and very unique beliefs and values. Although very a typical and easy to criticize, there is a lot to be said for this families view points and lifestyle. I took a lot away from this film, and believe that it holds a very important message, that with an open mind everyone can learn from.