Surfing, learning America

They would’ve tried 50 dates in 50 states, but unfortunately, these two Aussies joked that they didn’t think they had what it takes.

So they did the next best thing they could think of: They decided to surf. Yes, surf. In every state in America.

“As long as you’re standing on a surfboard with momentum, you’re surfing,” said Jonno Durrant, 27, half of the Australian pair who set out, and documented, their cross-country “surfing” adventure over eight months.

Durrant, and his traveling buddy, 21-year-old Stefan Hunt, are showing their film for the first time in America, thanks to some help from Hurley International, at the company’s headquarters in Costa Mesa on Saturday night.

Now, while you may scoff at the idea of surfing in every state, the pair’s creativity for reaching the goal was matched only by their ability to do it cheaply.

Through 50 states, the pair flipped, fell and stumbled through different kinds of “surf.” In Texas, they were pulled by horse on their surfboard. In Idaho, they stood atop a massive hill of potatoes before putting the board nose down and letting gravity do the rest. No matter where they went, the guys from Down Under found willing locals ready to help them find a way to accomplish their goal.

“I guess we learned a lot about America. And in saying that, basically, the biggest thing was not to judge a place or people until you actually go there and experience it first-hand,” said Hunt, noting Americans’ less-than-stellar reputation in some countries, including Australia.

But once on American soil, be it on the coasts of Newport Beach, Alaska or on an open plain in Nebraska, the pair found a way to get their surfboard moving, with help from residents. The guys said they did not spend a single cent staying in a hotel. In each state, someone was willing to take them in.

“We didn’t pay for accommodations once for the entire trip — we didn’t have the money to do that,” Durrant said. “We wanted to stay with real Americans and really experience the culture.”

If you’ve ever wanted to figure out how to surf, but not on the water, this is the film for you.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: “Surfing 50 States” U.S. premiere

WHERE: Hurley International headquarters, 1945 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa

WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday

COST: Free

ONLINE: www.surfing 50states.com

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.