one winter story - video on demand

Sarah Gerhardt

One Winter Story depicts the life of Sarah Gerhardt, the first woman to conquer huge waves at Mavericks in Northern California.

This documentary is not just about surfing, but about what drives someone to reach beyond a hard childhood, unstable family life and constant challenges to reach their dreams. It’s mostly narrated by Sarah herself as well as friends and surfing compatriots. It has a nostalgic quality to it and lots of black and white, slowed up footage — this isn’t your average adrenaline-fuelled big wave showcase, rather an atmospheric and thoughtful way to portray a unique surfing personality.

What strikes you about Sarah is how upbeat and determined she is, always smiling yet quiet and humble. She seems like she still can’t quite believe how one photograph made her so famous around the world.

Sarah began surfing as a release from family problems. Her mother was in a wheelchair and her father didn’t deal well with her illness, leaving the family to fend for themselves most of Sarah’s childhood. They were dirt poor until Sarah’s mother found a job and turned things around. Sarah’s grades went up and she got into surfing.

While at college she travelled to Hawaii as often as she could to seek out the big waves she felt drawn to. She had a relationship with big wave surfer Ken Bradshaw, who took her under his wing, got her boards and took her surfing on the North Shore. The relationship didn’t work out, and when Sarah’s mother died of cancer she was lost to surfing and life for a while. Slowly she regained her focus on life, got a PhD in physical chemistry and met her husband Mike. They moved to California and surfed Mavericks, and Sarah was photographed on a huge wave. She became famous and was widely interviewed.

This is an absorbing story which will bring a tear to the eye but also determination to the heart of anyone who has goals they are really passionate about. Sarah made mistakes, choosing to surf when she shouldn’t have (for the first two sessions at Maverick’s she didn’t catch any waves), but ultimately her fire and self-belief won through and she has now achieved much to be proud of. A story of an ordinary woman with an extraordinary spirit and life.

Buy this on DVD for £19.99 or watch it on the CARVE Video On Demand service for just 3.99 Euros. It’s worth all the registering, we promise! Click here to see trailer.