HAWAII WAVE SKI
Title: Hawaii Wave Ski
Running time: 7 minutes
Directed by: Mike Douglas
Produced by: Mike Douglas & John Decesare
Executive Producer: Bruno Bertrand
What started out as a dream for pro free-skiers Mike Douglas and Cody Townsend soon became a year-long project to turn it into reality. Having honed their skills on the slopes, it was time to turn their talents to the water and this short film documents the two men’s attempt to use snow skis to surf big waves. With specially modified kit and using jet skis to reach the break, they power down the huge waves as fast as they would an Alaskan steep.
Known as the Godfather of free-skiing, Douglas and Townsend headed to Maui to catch what would turn out to be the biggest swell of the year. Known as the windy island, at first the Maui weather didn’t favour conditions but when the wind suddenly dropped they could hear the distinct roar of the swell in the night. The big waves had arrived.
Hitting the beach the next day, the waves towered in front of them. With a mixture of fear and excitement – both familiar friends to the adventurer – the skiers head into some of the most powerful waters in the world. Bringing their big mountain skiing skills and tricks to the ocean, there is just one word to describe this inventive new sport – cool.
It took 4 weeks, 5 broken skis and 1 big scare to finally achieve their goal. Does it mean there is a future for skiing on waves? Watch and decide for yourself.
Did you know?
Mike Douglas is now a professional director and producer of action sports films at production company Switchback Entertainment.
Alongside free-skiing and kite-boarding, Cody Townsend is also passionate about fly-fishing.
Known as the Godfather of free-skiing, Douglas and Townsend headed to Maui to catch what would turn out to be the biggest swell of the year. Known as the windy island, at first the Maui weather didn’t favour conditions but when the wind suddenly dropped they could hear the distinct roar of the swell in the night. The big waves had arrived.
Hitting the beach the next day, the waves towered in front of them. With a mixture of fear and excitement – both familiar friends to the adventurer – the skiers head into some of the most powerful waters in the world. Bringing their big mountain skiing skills and tricks to the ocean, there is just one word to describe this inventive new sport – cool.
It took 4 weeks, 5 broken skis and 1 big scare to finally achieve their goal. Does it mean there is a future for skiing on waves? Watch and decide for yourself.
Did you know?
Mike Douglas is now a professional director and producer of action sports films at production company Switchback Entertainment.
Alongside free-skiing and kite-boarding, Cody Townsend is also passionate about fly-fishing.
