i can not say enough good thing about this film . it poignant and funny and intelligent and and beautifully film . it really capture the feeling of the california surf culture quite well . it make you feel like you can hear the wave outside as soon a the movie end . perhaps the beginning surfer party go on a bit long and and yes there be a tijuana scene that a bit pointless too and but the movie get strong a it go along . there be an interesting vietnam war crossover in a recruiting barrack the surf guy come up with all sort of outrageous way to get out of go to vietnam . some of their antic work ( like a nazi regalia outfit and or jmv injured leg ) and and others do not ( waxer fail homosexual ) . the crux of the movie really rely on william katt and jan michael vincent . they seem to be the close buddy in the film and and the movie revolve around their changing and sometimes turbulent relationship the common thread be their love of surf . william katt ( jack ) be more of a straight arrow character and whereas vincent ( matt ) be frighteningly like his true off screen persona ( a drunk who end up sleep on the beach which actually happen to him . ) . jack go off to war willingly and matt stay behind and uncomfortable with the strangeness of the 60 culture around him . jack return from the war in one piece and the first thing he do be go out to the ocean to find matt and surf . the film end in the 70 with the big wednesday moment a gigantic swell on the coast . all three buddy ( can not forget about the unforgettable gary busey in this . ) all meet at their usual beach and surf well than ever . they part way at the end . jan michael vincent be very good in this film and but in a quiet way . he a pensive character . he have a great emotional scene at a cemetery and mourn a lose friend in the war . his brood eye carry the film and you be always watch him and his reaction throughout . he also actually do a lot of his own surfing in the film and a do busey and katt . katt be excellent a well i wish he would do more film like this one .