Surf’s up at ‘Giants’ premiere

Deirdre Newman

Young surfer Hutton McKenna looked in awe around the lobby of the

Regency Lido Theater Thursday night, absorbing all of the surfing

legends in his sights.

The surfers were on hand for thepremiere of the new documentary

surf film, “Riding Giants.”

In one section of the theater’s lobby, Laird Hamilton, a renowned

surfer from Hawaii, signed autographs for young surfing fans, with

wife Gabrielle Reece and nine-month-old daughter Reece not far from

his side.

Other stars of the film, such as Greg Noll and Sam George, were

also scattered throughout the lobby.

“It’s pretty cool to have professional, old-school surfers here,”

said Hutton, 11, of Laguna Beach.Hutton was one of many surfers,

young and older, who patiently waited in line to see the stars of the

film arrive in woodies -- classic wood-paneled cars -- and walk down

an ocean-blue carpet into the theater. The area surrounding the

theater was transformed into a surf village from the North Shore of

Oahu, with thatch huts and musicians playing surf music. The premiere

sold out, and more than 600 people were expected to see the film.

“Riding Giants,” a documentary directed by Stacey Peralta,

explores the American surf culture and the penchant for big-wave

surfing. The Lido Theater was selected as one of three official

locations in the U.S. to premiere the movie. The event benefited two

Orange County charities -- the nonprofit coastal preservation group

Surfrider Foundation and The Ocean of Hope Campaign, which raises

funds through paddle boarding events, such as the Catalina Classic,

to support people suffering from sarcoma, a type of cancer that

develops from connective tissues.

Hamilton, who grew up on Oahu’s North Shore and in Kuaui, said he

came to the premiere to support the film. He is also in the film.

“It’s important for me to be here to represent the film and say

thank you and show commitment to the project,” said Hamilton, who

said his favorite Newport Beach surfing spot is The Wedge.

Ten-year-old Jack Murrel of Newport Beach also got to meet some of

his surfing idols and asked one of them, Jeff Clark, for some tips.

“He told me to try to head across the wave -- don’t go straight

down the wave and then bottom turn,” Jack said.

Another celebrity on hand was Corey Sevier from Fox’s new series,

“North Shore.” That show is also about surfing, and Sevier, who had

never picked up a board before being cast for the show, said some of

the stars of the film are guiding him in learning how to surf.

“I’m being trained by Brian Keaulana and some of the other guys in

the film,” Sevier said. “I’ve become such a surf fan.”

“This film is destined to become a classic,” said Gregg Schwenk,

the chief executive and executive director of the Newport Beach Film

Festival, one of the event’s sponsors. “I’m excited to have the

premiere here in Newport Beach.”

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at deirdre.newman@latimes.com.