It’s pretty hard to believe that Point Break, the 1991 epic from director Kathryn Bigelow, will be 35 years old in 2026. I actually re-watched the iconic film with my young ones a few weeks ago and facts are facts: Point Break has lost none of its luster. From the on-point surfing scenes to the famous street chase where Keanu Reeves pursues Patrick Swayze through the streets and neighborhoods of Los Angeles, the movie still hits all the right buttons. And it’s still my favorite of the surfing cult classics.
I know it continues to hit the right notes because even after all these years, readers still like to learn more about the movie. They want as much insight as they can get; whatever nugget might come along that we can publish about the film. That’s why I can’t quite understand why I’ve never heard San Clemente, California legend Matt Archbold talk about his role in the film.
Archbold, one of the most natural of natural talents in surfing’s history, was asked to work on the film as a stunt double and ended up organizing all the surfers. In this interview with Morelli Alexandre that appears on Outra Cultura, Alexandre’s YouTube page, Archbold talks about working with Swayze, who he doubled for. Archbold’s layback tube at the start of the film is stuff of legend and started the movie off with just the right tone.
He also discusses his respect for Bigelow, filming in Hawaii while wearing a full suit, and working with Brian Keaulana on a Jet Ski before tow surfing really became a thing. “I was helping coordinate all the surfers, and teaching people how to surf, like Anthony (Kiedis) from the Chili Peppers, and Keanu (Reeves),” he said. “We started filming at Lowers but we only filmed there for like a week and for some reason they didn’t like it. They got the whole crew and we flew to Hawaii.”
The interview is short, but definitely sweet. Have a listen.
