Former SLO Town resident turned surf impresario turned Surfer Magazine Editor turned filmmaker Sam George packed screen one of The Palm Theater last night for his newest film, Pipeline Masters. It was standing room only—literally. I know because I stood for nearly two freaking hours, but so did George, who wrote and narrated the film, as well as half a dozen other brave, strong-legged souls. It was worth the pain. The film chronicles the famed North Shore Hawaiian break from its discovery by ‘60s-era surfers who first labeled it unrideable, through its infancy as a makeable wave and then to the shortboard revolution, which finally offered the kind of equipment necessary to really perform on the barreling monster.
Like Riding Giants, a film George co-wrote that was a huge hit at last year’s SLO Film Fest, Pipeline Masters is a compelling film because of the inherent drama of surfing a deadly break mixed with the colorful personalities involved in its history. The film chronicles the annual contest that is part and parcel of the break, beginning with the 1971 inaugural event—which ironically Gerry Lopez, the best pipe rider of the era (and perhaps any era), missed. Because the surf was less than stellar, Lopez thought the event was called off. In his stead, a California surfer named Mike Armstrong, who just happened to be out surfing the break that morning, was elected to be the sixth competitor. The film doesn’t mention it, but Armstrong lives on the Central Coast; he owns an avocado ranch in Cayucos.
The film looks at the most noteworthy contests from ’71 on because, as George himself said during the Q&A after the film, even he wouldn’t want to sit through the entire 36-year history of the contest. And speaking of George, who managed the old Surf and Wear surf shop located behind Korbs Trading post in the’80s (where Downtown Centre stands now, young whippersnappers), he hasn’t aged a day. Still fit as a fiddle, with only his blond locks gone gray to hint that he’s in his 40s. George was somewhat of a controversial figure in SLO County. He and his brother Matt were shameless and adept self-promoters, wore colorful wetsuits, and while surfing swiveled their hips a bit too much for the born-and-bred locals. During the opening night party, I actually overheard one of the attendees, an aging surfer himself, tell a female guest that George wasn’t much liked around these parts. If so, you certainly couldn’t tell by the huge, appreciative crowd at the screening.
As George and company left The Palm for an after screening reception at Tortilla Flats, character actor, rock drummer, and filmmaker Mickey Jones was ushered past the waiting crowd and into the theater, where his documentary of a ‘60s-era Bob Dylan tour was to be screened. Jones was Dylan’s drummer at the time, and the film was comprised of his home movies.
As Jones came in, he stopped to chat with Palm Theater owner Jim Dee before posing for a group photo with Terry and Paul Lichtman. Terry was Jones’ former agent, and the Lichtmans were instrumental in bring Jones to the festival. For the record, Jones is a laidback, mellow guy, even though he looks like a badass biker.
The crowd loved his Dylan film as well as a short he directed of himself and Billy Bob Thornton as a couple of cowboys talking about finding their inner child. If you haven’t considered seeing some of the festival’s short films, start considering. There are some real gems out there.
Tonight is the Norman Jewison reception and the screening of his film Moonstruck, starring Cher, at the Fremont. It promises to be another great event for the SLO International Film Festival, so get out there and go to the movies!
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