North Shore

Eighteen-year-old Rick Kane uses his winnings from a wave-tank surfing contest to fund a summer abroad. He leaves Arizona to fly to Hawaii, hoping to kick off a professional surfing career before starting college.

Rick lands in Honolulu and reconnects with two pro surfers, Alex and Mark. They invite him to stay at the home of Lance Burkhart while he gets his bearings on the North Shore.

Rick surfs with Alex and Mark and discovers that ocean surfing is very different from training in a wave tank. He struggles with technique and persistence as he makes his way toward the lineup at Sunset Beach.

While trying to paddle out at Sunset Beach, Rick disrupts the local group led by Vince Moaloka, triggering a confrontation. His belongings are stolen by a member of The Hui, and he is chased off the beach.

Rick runs into Turtle and meets Kiani, Vince's cousin. He and Kiani fall in love, and she helps him acclimate to local culture and customs on the North Shore.

Chandler, a surfboard shaper and soul surfer, introduces Rick to a more spiritual approach to riding waves. He is impressed by Rick's artistic talent, and they collaborate on a new graphic for Rick’s board.

The film's antagonist Lance Burkhart embodies a materialistic, win-at-all-costs mindset. His clash with Chandler’s soul-surfing philosophy creates a growing tension on the beach and in Rick's circle.

Under Chandler’s guidance, Rick begins to master soul surfing, learning to ride waves with an emphasis on presence and appreciation rather than mere victory. He applies the lessons to his own style and mindset on the water.

A prestigious surf contest at the Banzai Pipeline becomes the arena where Rick and Lance showdown. The duel tests both technical skill and their diverging beliefs about surfing.

In the final round, Lance cheats by pulling Rick’s leash, causing a wipeout that challenges Rick's resolve and spurs Chandler’s anger over the integrity of competition. The moment tests whether Rick will stay true to the sport's spirit or be drawn into winning at any cost.

Rick reminds Chandler that surfing is about going the distance, not merely winning. The moment reframes the contest as a test of character as well as skill.

Lance is disqualified for cheating, and Rick’s stance is vindicated. He thanks Chandler for his friendship, and prepares to leave for college in New York, bidding goodbye to Turtle and Kiani.

Before departing for New York, Rick shares a goodbye kiss with Kiani as Turtle shows him a newspaper clipping about Lance’s disqualification. Rick promises to return to the North Shore.