Summer surf noir – essential sizzling sunshine reading

Summertime reading (post/pre surf sesh or simply when relaxing as the rest of the clan indulge in beach fun and frolics) has been a staple part of holidays for aeons. And while there are numerous publications to choose from (and these days mediums with which to read) we thought we’d highlight a selection of our faves. Now before you groan and cry: ‘not more cheese ball surfing stories’ it’s worth considering we’re going for grit rather than corn.

Surf noir, for want of a better term, fuses fictional dark heart storytelling, framed with articulate surfing prose. So surfing is the vehicle rather than whole focus, and in doing this each author manages to create a rich backdrop for events that play out in each scenario.
Kem Nunn – Tapping the Source

If any of you are fans of Point Break (the original Kathryn Bigelow flick, not the recently updated  big budget version) then you may want to immerse yourself in Kem Nunn’s original 80s, mind  blowing Tapping the Source. The inspiration for Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves’ surfing bank  robbing movie Kem Nunn’s writing is dark, atmospheric and thoroughly engaging. It’s pretty  hard to get hold of a copy but if you can you won’t be sorry.

 

 Don Winslow – The Dawn Patrol

Featuring laid back San Diego based surfing detective Boone Daniels Don Winslow’s The Dawn  Patrol is the first of two novels featuring the fella with a plateful. A plotline chock full of canny  observations on surfing in California, dead strippers, Hawaiian gangs, trafficked Mexican girls  and dark currents of treachery, both on land and sea, The Dawn Patrol is an unforgettable read.  And if you like this why not follow it up with Winslow’s sequel: The Gentlemen’s Hour.

 

 

 Tim Winton – Breath

Set against the backdrop of a West Oz logging village Tim Winton’s Breath tells the story of  Pikelet and Loonie who egg each other on to perform dangerous stunts. Along their journey they  discover surfing and pro rider Sando who pushes them further into a world of reckless abandon.  A book ultimately about risk and sanity Winton aims to discover the line between being  extraordinary and ordinary. Dark in places Breath is as immersive as the sea itself.

 

 
 John Wagner – Chopper: Song of the Surfer

OK this isn’t a novel in a traditional sense but as far as quality reads with a surfing theme goes  you’d be hard pushed to find better writing than John Wagner’s Chopper: Song of the Surfer.  Featuring the sport of sky surfing, where riders battle it out along a treacherous aerial course,  snipers and rocket launchers vie to take down racers in violent fashion. With amazing artwork  by Colin McNeil Chopper: Song of the Surfer is a cult classic among coming fans but a graphic  novel that should be investigated by all fans of surf noir.

 

These are just a few of our favourite surf noir novels – plenty more are available if you have a search around. Let us know what yours are…