Joe Surf: ‘Return to Cape St. Francis’ reminds that the summer is truly endless

It turns out “The Endless Summer” is perhaps more a literal term than simply an iconic surf film.

Young surfers Robert August and Mike Hynson took off on that journey with filmmaker Bruce Brown half a century ago to make the original film. In celebration of the 50-year anniversary of the film’s release, August has returned to the place in all began.

The film, “Return to Cape St. Francis,” will make its premiere April 25 at the Newport Beach Film Festival, featuring August, a Huntington Beach High School graduate, visiting some of the legendary surf spots he helped make famous.

And it all comes full circle as August makes the trip to South Africa and Costa Rica with several current and former Huntington Beach High School surfers: Tomas King, Jacob Baker, Jeremy Guilmette, Davis Freud, Tyler Killeen, Christian Seebold, John West, Brad Monroe and Luke Young.

And if that wasn’t enough to pique your interest, consider that the 40-minute documentary is directed by Huntington Beach High surf Coach Andy Verdone.

The music is written and performed by former Huntington Beach High baseball player Justin Ratowsky, and the film is narrated by August’s son Sam, a former Fountain Valley High baseball standout who pitched professionally in the Houston Astros organization, reaching Double-A.

Australian Dylan Jeffrey is the cinematographer, editor and co-producer along with Verdone.

There have been films that followed “The Endless Summer,” like “The Endless Summer II” and “The Endless Summer Revisited.” This film, however, focuses on August and his endless journey.

August has spent his time over the years between Costa Rica and Huntington Beach. Last year, his daughter Christine was surfing for HBHS, and August was a fixture around the HBHS surf team.

“Robert is on the beach every day with his daughter, and the 50-year anniversary is happening, and everyone’s making a big deal of it,” Verdone recalled. “I’m like, ‘Robert, why don’t we go back to Cape St. Francis together and we can go with the kids? You know, you used to be one of these kids. It would be a great honor for all of us to travel together.’”

While the film recaptures August’s experiences, its making was an experience for many involved, particularly for Verdone as director.

“It was fun. I always like being in charge,” Verdone said with a laugh. “It was a lot of work. You’re keeping a lot of plates spinning while we’re trying to come up with money and how to make this whole plan work, from lodging and feeding the kids to getting good surf and capturing it.”

Verdone has seen the film, but only on a computer screen.

“I like the film, but I’m close to it,” Verdone said. “There’s a part where they cry, and there’s a part where they laugh, and there’s a part where they amaze.”

Through it all, Verdone seemed to gain even more appreciation for August, who soon will turn 71.

“We filmed it interview-style, and there are parts where we cut away to surfing,” Verdone said. “And every part that you see Robert on film, was first take. Never did it again. It’s like he’s told these stories a thousand times, and they’re ingrained, and they become lore in our surfing iconic history.

“When he was down at the beach, I’d get so excited when I saw him. It’s like having Willie Mays at a Little League practice. I’m standing on the sand, with Robert August, coaching surfing. He’d just go into stories about how he met the Duke, and about him and Miki Dora, and how he let Miki Dora live in his backyard and never left. He had one story after another; he had a Rolodex of stories that I never got tired of listening to.”

In fact, Verdone has such reverence for August, he’d love to see a statue of August at the foot of the Huntington Pier.

“It’s something our city could embrace,” Verdone said. “Just to the right of the pier, from `The Endless Summer’ poster, with the board on his head and the sunset behind it. Could you imagine how many people would travel to Huntington just to get a picture in front of that iconic image?”

Go to newportbeachfilmfest.com to purchase tickets for the film. A ticket will include the viewing of “The Biggest Board: Surf City USA’s Epic Ride.”

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Keeping up with Kanoa

Huntington Beach’s Kanoa Igarashi participated in his third World Surf League World Championship Tour event last week, the Drug Aware Margaret River Pro in western Australia.

Igarashi, at 18 the youngest surfer on the WCT, took second in his Round 1 heat, then beat Australia’s Ryan Callinan in Round 2 before world title contender Jordy Smith of South Africa eliminated Igarashi in Round 3.

Next up for Igarashi and the WCT is the Oi Rio Pro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil starting May 10.

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Court is in session

Santa Ana’s Courtney Conlogue is continuing her quest for a women’s world title, currently competing in the women’s Margaret River Pro.

Conlogue, who finished first and second in the first two WCT contests, has reached the quarterfinals, where she was scheduled to go up against Aussie Laura Enever.

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JOE HAAKENSON is a Huntington Beach-based sports writer and editor. He may be reached at joe@juvecreative.com.