Young surfers gain the spotlight in a first-of-its-kind draft event for a surf film.
Draft night is synonymous with high-stakes drama, where careers are forged in an instant. Taking inspiration from the excitement of NBA and NFL drafts, filmmaker Logan Dulien, also known as “Chucky,” is bringing a similar vibe to the surf world. As he works on Snapt5, his much-anticipated final project, Dulien has devised a fresh twist: a live “grom draft” to select rising stars for the film.
The idea took off after Dulien issued an open call on Instagram for young surfers to submit their best clips. The response was explosive, with hundreds of entries pouring in from around the globe in just two weeks. To make the announcement of selected surfers even more dynamic, Dulien partnered with The Couch Surfing Show, a popular surf-focused program, to host the live draft.
“I grew up with Joe Alani, the brainchild and host of The Couch Surfing Show,” Dulien told SURFER. “I love the show and the creative energy it brings to surfing. When Joe suggested doing an episode about the grom section, I thought it’d be cool to announce the picks live, just like the NFL or NBA draft.”
The event will be hosted by Dulien and Alani, with support from special guests including Parker Coffin, Victor Bernardo, and Levi Slawson. Set to air on Friday, November 22, at 9:00 a.m. PST, the draft will be streamed live from Newport Beach.
“The surf forecast looks promising, with three- to four-foot waves and great conditions,” Dulien shared. “The guys will be taking turns surfing and joining us on the couch to break down the selections.”
This innovative approach not only showcases the next generation of surf talent but also adds an engaging layer of excitement to the world of surf filmmaking. With the combination of live drama, stellar waves, and vibrant personalities, the Snapt5 grom draft promises to be a standout moment for the surf community.
Related topics:
- Alana Blanchard Joins Fox’s “Special Forces”
- California Approves Controversial Ocean Beach Seawall Project
- Hong Kong Maintains Surfing Ban Despite Lawmaker Pushback