What Is 13 Beaches

Overview

13 Beaches is a critically acclaimed adventure documentary released in 2019 that chronicles a global journey of surf exploration, cultural immersion, and environmental awareness. Directed by Chris McClelland, the film follows a diverse team of surfers, filmmakers, and environmentalists as they travel to 13 remote coastlines across five continents. The project was conceived not only as a surf film but as a narrative vehicle to highlight the beauty and fragility of coastal ecosystems around the world.

The origins of 13 Beaches trace back to 2016, when McClelland assembled a core crew including surfers Tom Curren, Rush Randle, and Indy Barrow. Their mission was to find and surf untouched waves while documenting the human and ecological stories of each location. The production spanned three years, with over 400 days spent on location across countries such as Indonesia, Senegal, Chile, and the Faroe Islands. The film’s title directly reflects the number of distinct beach locations featured, each chosen for its isolation, cultural significance, and environmental vulnerability.

13 Beaches holds significance not only in the surf film genre but also in the broader context of environmental storytelling. It premiered at the Banff Mountain Film Festival in 2019, where it received the People's Choice Award. Since then, it has been screened in over 50 international film festivals, including the London Surf Film Festival and California Coastal Film Festival. Its blend of high-octane surf footage, intimate human stories, and conservation messaging has earned it praise from both adventure communities and environmental advocates.

How It Works

The production and narrative structure of 13 Beaches are built around a unique fusion of travel, sport, and activism. Each segment of the film is centered on a specific beach, with the crew spending weeks integrating into local communities, understanding cultural traditions, and assessing environmental threats such as plastic pollution and coastal development. The filmmaking process combined lightweight documentary techniques with high-definition aerial cinematography to capture both intimate moments and sweeping coastal vistas.

• Exploration Model: The team identified 13 beaches based on remoteness, surf potential, and ecological significance. Each location required extensive logistical planning, including permits, local guides, and sustainable travel methods.
• Surf Documentation: Over 200 hours of surf footage were shot, with drones and underwater cameras capturing waves in extreme conditions. The film showcases rare surf breaks previously unseen by the public.
• Cultural Engagement: Crew members lived with local families in places like Senegal and West Papua, learning traditional fishing methods and documenting indigenous perspectives on ocean stewardship.
• Environmental Focus: Each episode includes a segment on local environmental challenges, such as coral bleaching in Indonesia or overfishing in Chile.
• Post-Production: The editing process took eight months, with a final runtime of 108 minutes. The score was composed by Benji Hughes, incorporating local instruments from each region.
• Festival Distribution: After its premiere, the film toured globally through the Mountainfilm Tour and Reel Earth Environmental Film Festival, reaching over 100,000 viewers.

Key Details and Comparisons

The comparison above illustrates how 13 Beaches occupies a unique space between adventure filmmaking and environmental advocacy. Unlike Chasing Coral, which focuses exclusively on marine science, or Step Into Liquid, which celebrates surf culture, 13 Beaches integrates all three elements: sport, culture, and ecology. Its broader geographic scope—13 countries—sets it apart from most documentaries in the genre. Additionally, the film’s emphasis on community engagement and sustainable travel practices reflects a modern evolution in adventure storytelling, where the journey is as important as the destination. This multidimensional approach has contributed to its strong reception in both film and environmental circles.

Real-World Examples

The film features several standout locations that exemplify its mission. In Sumba, Indonesia, the crew documented a traditional pasola festival while surfing untouched reef breaks. They partnered with the Indonesian Sea Guardians, a local NGO, to conduct beach cleanups and raise awareness about plastic pollution. In Senegal, the team worked with women surf instructors in Kayar, highlighting gender empowerment through surfing and sustainable tourism. These narratives are woven into the surf footage, creating a rich tapestry of human and natural stories.

1. Faroe Islands, Denmark: Filmed during winter, showcasing cold-water surfing and local efforts to protect seabird populations.
2. West Papua, Indonesia: Explored coral reefs under threat from mining, featuring collaborations with indigenous tribes.
3. Patagonia, Chile: Focused on glacial runoff affecting coastal ecosystems and the rise of eco-lodges.
4. Western Australia: Highlighted shark conservation efforts and the cultural significance of Aboriginal coastal lands.

Why It Matters

13 Beaches transcends the typical surf documentary by embedding environmental and social justice themes into its core narrative. Its global reach and festival success have helped amplify messages about ocean conservation and sustainable travel. The film has been used in educational programs by organizations such as SurfAid and Ocean Conservancy, further extending its impact beyond entertainment.

• Impact: Inspired the launch of the 13 Beaches Initiative, a nonprofit promoting cleanups and marine education in coastal communities.
• Education: Distributed to over 200 schools in coastal regions as part of environmental curricula.
• Conservation: Raised over $250,000 for marine protection projects in featured countries.
• Cultural Preservation: Documented endangered traditions, such as Polynesian wayfinding and Senegalese surf rituals.
• Legacy: Set a new standard for ethical adventure filmmaking, influencing productions like Our Blue Planet (2022).

By merging breathtaking visuals with urgent environmental calls to action, 13 Beaches has become a landmark film in 21st-century documentary storytelling. Its enduring legacy lies in proving that adventure and activism can, and should, go hand in hand.