This is a "crush", as in romance or obsession, with surfing and the sea. Unlike the usual babes-in-bikinis epics, it looks at the reality behind an adrenaline-fuelled life on the ocean wave (although still with enough gloss to make it attractive). Inspired by Orchid Thief author Susan Orlean's magazine article Surf Girls of Maui, the film centres on three girls (Kate Bosworth, Michelle Rodriguez and Sanoe Lake) who work at a luxury Hawaiian resort in order to support their surf addiction. Bosworth is the favourite to win the upcoming tournament and - the ultimate dream - turn pro, but she has distractions: a kid sister to look after and a budding romance with a visiting American football player. Director John Stockwell provides the expected exciting wave action, and brilliantly shot it is, too, but he rarely loses sight of the toil and turmoil that accompanies the dream.

Nothing gets between Anne Marie and her board. Living in a beach shack with three roommates, she is up before dawn every morning to conquer the waves and count the days until the Pipe Masters competition. Having transplanted herself to Hawaii with no one's blessing but her own, Anne Marie finds all she needs in the adrenaline-charged surf scene - until pro quarterback Matt Tollman comes along...