Santa Cruz connections in "Chasing Mavericks"

Premiering in October 2012, the feature film Chasing Mavericks is making a splash in Santa Cruz and abroad. Featuring Scottish actor Gerard Butler in the lead, the film tells the true story of local surfer Jay Moriarity, one of the youngest to ever compete in big-wave surf competition Mavericks, just north of town. Jay (played by Jonny Weston) enlists the help of local surfer Frosty Hesson (Butler) to help him prepare for the competition, embarking on a journey of self-discovery along the way. Chasing Mavericks was produced by Walden Media and 20th Century Fox.

Key scenes were shot at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Steamer Lane, Pleasure Point (including Pleasure Pizza, where Jay held a part-time job) and the Pearson Arrow Surfboard Factory on the Westside.

Follow Jay's journey with Chasing Mavericks Map, a free self-guided tour brochure highlighting some of the locations from the film.

For more information and a complete listing of production credits for other movies filmed locally, click here.

Click here to watch the trailer.

Photo credits:  John P. Johnson.  TM & © Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation and Walden Media, LLC.  All rights reserved.

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