BLUE CRUSH
I fell in love with Ann-Marie Chadwick the moment I met her on the page. I knew this girl. At 18 years old, I had just graduated high school (from a small town outside of Boston) and decided to relocate cross-country to Los Angeles in order to pursue my dream of becoming an actor. Though my goals differed from hers, the depth of the desire was the same. Every cell in my body recognized what Ann-Marie was experiencing as a young woman. The hopes and dreams, the fear and the doubt. Love. The complexities of friendships — and the fact that sometimes you need a best friend to believe in you, even more than you believe in yourself.
When I auditioned for the role, my affinity to the character was clear. There was only one problem. The director and the producers (understandably) felt that the skill of surfing was a prerequisite for the part. (True story, I had never touched a surfboard, much less stood up on one or caught an actual wave before the making of this film). Rather than feel undeterred, I felt inspired. I would learn to surf! And fast. I flipped through the yellow pages of the phone book and found a surf instructor in Malibu. *Yes kids, that’s what we did in the year 2001.
“Hi! I need to learn to surf. And not only surf, but pass as a professional. Can you help me?” Looking back, I am amazed at the perseverance of eighteen year old me. The naiveté didn’t hurt either. Learning to surf is one of the steepest learning curves in sport. Thankfully, the surf instructor who picked up that call answered, “sure but you’re gonna have to come down here seven days a week and for many hours each day.” NO PROBLEM DUDE. I had one goal and that was to claim this role. Whatever it took.
For three weeks I drove the long and twisty Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu and peeled on my wetsuit. At dawn, I waxed my board. Calluses formed on my hipbones. Board rash erupted all over my stomach. My back ached and my shoulders broadened. I’ll never forget the day I caught my first wave and thought, “I’m going to crush this.”
At the end of the month, I was asked to participate in a surfing audition with John Stockwell, the director of the movie and Brian Grazer, super-producer and head of Imagine Entertainment. To say I was nervous is a massive understatement. I wanted this more than anything in my life. Paddling out with a new surf instructor, I spun around to catch my first wave. Plunk. I didn’t even have time to snap up. The board bucked me off like a piece of soap. I must have fallen over a hundred times and I honestly do not recall catching one decent wave. The day was a disaster. Devastated, I thanked everyone for the opportunity and drove home, my dream in the rearview mirror, fading fast behind me.
This audition experience may not have unfolded the way I had imagined it, catching that heroic big wave like Ann-Marie at Pipe Masters, fist pumping the air. However, there was a different outcome in store for me. The surf instructor, who witnessed my epic failings, turned to the powers-that-be and stated: “I’m not sure if she can pull this off. But what I do know is that you won’t find another actress with more dedication”. Earning this part taught me one of life’s most treasured professional lessons. The grit was the fist pump. The relentless determination was the perfect wave. With the incredible coaching and support of my surf team in Oahu, I went on to paddle out at Pipeline, tow into monster waves at Avalanche, and surf many of the famous waves on the North Shore of Oahu. Anne-Marie’s dream and mine became one.
My co-stars in this film are two of the most extraordinary humans I have ever met. Sanoe Lake, our true surf girl, grew up understanding the magic of water. Her eyes sparkle with clarity and goodness. Sanoe is as deep as the ocean she loves, and as quick and clever as the wave she chases. And Michelle Rodriguez. What can I say about the brilliant Michelle other than she has a heart of gold? She is one of the most kind, caring and generous people on the planet. She would give you the shirt right off her back if you were in need. No bullshit and pure soul. Together, their laughter lights up the world. Throughout the making of the movie, the three of us lived as roommates in a house situated on Sunset Beach. In those days, I would often look at Michelle and Sanoe … surf videos playing consistently on the TV, waves crashing only a few steps away from our lawn, and I knew this moment would be one of the most special experiences of my lifetime.
Blue Crush. This picture launched my career. I received an education on the importance of committed professionalism and dedication to my job. I met two women who reside in the gentle and unfailing heartbeat of my spirit. No matter where I am in life or however many years pass, they are always with me.
And above all else — this:
If you love something … that deep-diving kind of ache … that obsessive, soul piercing and to the core kind of love. Take the risk. Feel the rush. Never give up.
May this movie continue to inspire all of you as much as it has inspired us.
Kindest,
Kate
