25th Anniversary Edition · 1996 · 38 min
Searching for Tom Curren
Three-time world champion Tom Curren at the height of his powers, filmed by the late, great Sonny Miller. Digitally remastered in HD.
Movie of the Year1997 SURFER Poll Awards
Remastered in HD25th Anniversary, 2022
In memory ofSonny Miller, 1960–2014
About the film
The story
Santa Barbara’s three-time World Surfing Champion, Tom Curren, discovers new waves, tests the limits of board design, and shares his refreshing and thoughtful outlook on surfing and life.
Tom has influenced a generation of surfers with his humble, kind character and clean, radical approach to riding waves. He continues to play music, surf, and live life to the fullest.
Sonny Miller filmed, produced, and edited the first five Search films for Rip Curl, which helped launch the Search campaign in 1992. This film showcases the best footage of Tom Curren from those Search films, along with additional footage.
Ways to watch
Watch Searching for Tom Curren
Stream it tonight, keep it forever, or get the collector’s edition.
Press & reviews
“The finest surf film ever made”
“Searching for Tom Curren is almost certainly the finest surf film ever made. It stars our little sport’s most eccentric surfing genius at the height of his powers, and it was made by the late Sonny Miller, another of our maestros, also at his own artistic zenith.”
“Curren’s near-mythic first waves at J-Bay, his paradigm-shifting Fireball Fish session at Bawa, his famous hand-jive exit at Backdoor, all interlaced among 38 minutes of fast, powerful, and technical rail surfing that transcends time.”
“Tom Curren’s surfing has impacted every surfer in the world over the last 10 years.”
“This is one of the finest surf films ever made. Curren is an artist and a genius. His surfing is fluid, powerful, instinctive and brave.”
“I’ve watched Searching for Tom Curren like a kagillion times!”
“Curren was the spiritual leader of an eclectic band of surf gypsies, carefully selected by behind-the-scenes svengali Derek Hynd.”
“You know what held it together was Sonny’s personality. He had this way of cheering people up when they were not feeling so good. So that’s what he was able to do, look at the hilarity as opposed to looking at the hassle.”
“We were inspired by our opportunity to be given this glorious pathway, and there was no Surfline. Many times, our endeavors were rewarded by our commitment to believe, like buying a lotto ticket. We didn’t rely on guarantees.”
“Sonny was probably one of the best people I’ve ever traveled with. He had the most upbeat nature. You could be in the most diabolical situation and Sonny is all happy and ready to go.”
From the archive
On the Search, 1992–1996
Five years of chasing waves with Tom Curren and the Rip Curl crew.
1993
The Indies Trader
Greeny, Sonny, Frankie, Damien, Derek, Brock and Tom aboard the Indies Trader.
1995
Panama
Filming with Tom Curren in Panama.
Film stills & behind the scenes
From the film
Stories
All stories →Behind the film
Tom Curren Jeffreys Bay 1992
By Derek Hynd The trouble with perfect alignment of surfer, wave, and cinematographer was highlighted in May of 1992 when Tom Curren’s...
A Searching for Tom Curren Story: Hangin’ with Tom Curren in Cardiff, CA
Written by: Tim HambyFrom Tim's blog timhamby.comFebruary 22, 2022 I had one of the most surreal experiences of my life last weekend...
Magic Man song by Pico for Searching for Tom Curren
Pico was 16 when his Dad booted him out of the house with a handshake. He was still at school. I took...
The shop
All merch →Searching for Tom Curren gear
1997 SURFER Poll Movie of the Year
Watch Searching for Tom Curren tonight
Rent it for $8 or buy it for $15, bonus Search footage included.
