KIAMA surfer Dylan Longbottom has ridden the wave of success all the way to Hollywood, recently wrapping up filming history-making scenes as a stunt double for the Point Break remake.
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Longbottom visited Tahiti, taking to the famed Teahupoo break for six weeks to film the remake of the cult surf movie.
The 1991 original starred Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves.
The remake stars Edgar Ramirez, Ray Winstone and Delroy Lindo, with plans for a July 2015 release.
Longbottom, 40, a renowned surfer with his own boardshaping workshop in North Wollongong and who also splits his work time between Kiama and Bali, was Ramirez’s stunt double.
He filmed scenes surfing Teahupoo, among the biggest and most dangerous waves in the world; his towing partner was seriously injured on set in Tahiti.
He also produced surfboards for the film, including heavy designs for the large waves and smaller, lighter boards for more technical manoeuvres.
Longbottom also enjoyed working with big-wave surfers Bruce Irons (‘‘a bit of a legend from Hawaii who was also a stunt double’’) and Laird Hamilton, who also has a cameo in the film. ‘‘It was really good, it was pumping,’’ he said.
‘‘We got really good waves and it was a great experience to work on a Hollywood film.
‘‘We broke some new boundaries.
‘‘We used hand-held $50,000 cameras while surfing inside the barrel, which had never been done before as it’s (considered) too dangerous and too expensive.’’
Longbottom was joined by 11-year-old daughter, Summa, an extra in the film. He was impressed by the size and scope of the production.
‘‘It’s crazy to see how many people and how much goes into it,’’ he said.
‘‘Cameramen, directors, assistant directors, wardrobe, make-up; and that’s not even including the cast.
‘‘Then you’ve got boats and jet-skis, underwater filming equipment, drones, helicopters.’’
Longbottom said like many surfers he was a fan of the original.
‘‘They spent ten years preparing it (the remake),’’ he said.
He said it would be a thrill to see his boards on the big screen, and hoped to continue exploring this unexpected career opportunity in the future.
‘‘They rang me earlier in the year, out of the blue,’’ he said.
‘‘They seemed really happy with our performances; the film studio wants us to do more stunt work in the future.’’