Review of Surfwise (2007) by Walter M — 11 May 2009

[font=Century Gothic]"Surfwise" is an engaging, if not substantive, documentary about Dorian ' Doc' Paskowitz who graduated from Stanford University with a medical degree but fearing the good life, dropped out and took up surfing. After introducing surfing to Israel and failing to enlist in the country's paratroopers, he proceeded to get married for the second time to Jeanette. Together, they would eventually have nine children who were all raised in a 24 foot camper, traveling wherever his whims took them while basically focusing on surfing. These cramped conditions forced them to maintain a certain level of hygiene and the lack of privacy made the parents' energetic sex life a bit disturbing to everyone else. As hard as life was due to being perpetually broke, nobody starved. They eventually settled down to a degree with the establishment of a surfing camp and the children became expert surfers, winning their share of trophies.[/font].

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[font=Century Gothic]In this tale of man versus society, all good things must come to an end. And whereas I admire Dorian for finding another path, it is not for everyone which is the conclusion his kids came to as they became adults. However, his idea of an education did not prepare them for life in a structured world, most settling for life in music or on the waves. No matter how tyrannical or possibly abusive Dorian was, all nine of his children participate in the documentary but it has been ten years since they have all been together in the same place.[/font].