The Granite Stoke

The Granite Stoke is a 2014 documentary that artfully and articulately presents the rich history and contemporary culture of the surfing scene in New Hampshire. The film features a brilliant cast including renowned surfers Skip Brunette and Dave Cropper among many others from the local surf community. Produced and directed by Dylan Ladds and Ryan Scura, the documentary focuses on the unique experience of cold water surfing, portraying it as a resilient lifestyle deeply rooted in a love for the challenging sea and the broader natural environment.

The film's title, The Granite Stoke, reflects New Hampshire's unofficial nickname, the Granite State, and the term 'stoke,' a slang term popular in surf culture endearingly representing the thrill and passion that surfers experience. These elements combine to create an imagery-driven narrative that brings to the forefront the essence of New Hampshire’s cold-water surfing community’s resilience, grit, and deep love for the sea.

The documentary opens with the heart-stopping and awe-inspiring beauty of New Hampshire’s ragged and challenging coastline. As the film progresses, it explores the close-knit surf community, focusing on their collective love for the adrenaline rush and the near-meditative experience of catching a wave in harsh, near freezing conditions.

Skip Brunette and Dave Cropper serve as pivotal figures in the narrative, embodying the spirit and soul of the New Hampshire surfing community. Their extensive knowledge extends beyond the technicalities of surfing to encompass the philosophy and psychology underlying this lifestyle. They provide insight into the camaraderie, spirituality, and unspoken rules that form the structure of the surf culture. Their personal stories and experiences enable viewers to comprehend how the extreme conditions and ocean waves have shaped their outlooks.

The Granite Stoke seamlessly integrates vintage film, photographs, and interviews with New Hampshire's surfing pioneers to explore intimately the historical origins and progression of surfing in this unlikely location. It maroons viewers back in time and illustrates how the local surfing scene has evolved, with the tales of the old days adding a rich context to the movie.

What is truly special about The Granite Stoke is the palpable passion that emanates from every frame of the film. Ladds and Scura capture the giddy thrill of riding a wave while concurrently illuminating the spiritual and ecological aspects of surfing. The depiction of surfers' interaction with the natural world – from vast open seas to frigid temperatures – underscores surfing as an approach to harmony with nature.

The cinematography is a dazzling treat within the documentary, with perfectly timed sequences of surfers riding the waves, exhibiting the power and unpredictability of the ocean and the skill and audacity of the surfers themselves. Breathtaking shoreline locales, expertly filmed at various times of the day, depict the raw beauty of the New Hampshire coast. This aesthetic aspect, punctuated by atmospheric lighting and angles, further enhances the character and appeal of the documentary.

Additionally, The Granite Stoke goes beyond just being a surfing documentary; it presents surfing as a community endeavor. The surfers are not captured in isolation on their board; instead, they are shown as part of a shared community spirit, reinforcing the concept of collective adventure and camaraderie.

In conclusion, The Granite Stoke is more than a narrative about a group of surfers braving the cold waters to ride the waves. It's a testament to human resilience, an exploration of a unique sub-culture, and a celebration of unity and passion. Championing the extraordinary spirit of the New Hampshire surfing community, it reflects the inclusive culture, continuity, and evolution of surfing as a lifestyle and sport against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean's whims.