Gerard Butler is recovering after a surfing accident that took place Sunday afternoon on the set of the upcoming Fox 2000 movie “Of Men and Mavericks,” according to multiple reports.

The actor was filming a scene for his role as Jay Moriarty, a surfer who died in a free-diving accident at age 23.

Butler was hospitalized after being dragged over rocks and held underwater by two waves at Mavericks, a popular surfing destination in Northern California that was frequented by Moriarty.

Butler was rescued by coastal patrolmen and taken to Stanford Medical Center, where he was later released.

Butler, 42, was shaken up but not seriously injured.

Representatives at Alan Siegel Entertainment and CAA, which represent Butler, did not return TheWrap’s requests for comment by press time.

Representatives for Fox 2000 did not immediately return TheWrap’s requests for comment.

Butler had been surfing with pro surfers Peter Mel, Zach Wormhoudt and Greg Long, who are consulting on “Of Men and Mavericks.”

In January, a rookie surfer named Jacob Trette nearly died after being involved in a similar surfing accident at Mavericks. In 1994, Mark Foo, a veteran surfer, died while surfing there.

Jonny Weston and Elisabeth Shue also star “Of Men and Mavericks.” The movie is directed by Curtis Hanson (“The River Wild,” “8 Mile”).

“Of Men and Mavericks” is due in theaters October 26.

story via reuters.com

Garrett McNamara wasn’t planning to surf on 1 November. “I just didn’t really feel it,” he says. He agreed, however, that he would tow his British friend and fellow big wave surfer, Andrew Cotton, on his jetski.

What happened during that session has already entered surfing lore. Persuaded to take a wave, McNamara, 44, found himself on a freak mountain of water 90ft (30m) high, surfing one of the biggest waves ever ridden, probably the largest in Europe and the biggest recorded on film.

The video and photographs of Mc-Namara’s ride have been viewed by hundreds of thousands on the internet. They depict a tiny figure dropping down against a huge blue, hurtling backdrop.

It is all the more extraordinary because of the hazardous nature of the break, an hour north of Lisbon, where some of the world’s biggest waves collapse almost on the shoreline.

read more at guardian.co.uk

Surfers in Santa Cruz County generally don’t need much in the way of persuasion to get into the water. But next week, the producers of an upcoming film are counting on surfers to come out to Pleasure Point in big numbers.

Walden Media, which is producing a film based on the life of the late Santa Cruz surfing icon Jay Moriarity, is planning to shoot a key scene in the film Oct. 13 and 14 at Pleasure Point. It is a re-enactment of the paddle-out that took place as a memorial to Moriarity shortly after he died during a free-diving accident in the summer of 2001.

The film’s producers need about 1,000 extras to come out with wetsuits and surfboards to re-create the paddle-out. The scene will be shot from both the air and the ground.

The producers are asking each participant to commit to eight hours on the set both days, in the interests of continuity, with a check-in time of around 6:30 a.m. No stand-up paddle boards will be allowed to be part of the shoot.

Extras will not be paid, but lunch will be served and there will be several raffle prizes given away to those who participate.

The yet-to-be-titled film will star Gerard Butler and Jonny Weston and will be directed by Curtis Hanson for a late 2012 release. It will tell the story of the relationship between Moriarity and his mentor Frosty Hesson, as well as Moriarity’s efforts at becoming the youngest surfer to ever tackle Mavericks.

Anyone interested in taking part in the paddle-out should contact the extras producer at 831management@gmail.com.

JAY MORIARITY MOVIE PADDLE-OUT
WHAT: Walden Media, producer of a film based on the life of the late Santa Cruz surfing icon Jay Moriarity, seeks 1,000 surfers for a key scene.
WHEN: Oct. 13 and 14 at Pleasure Point.
WHY: To re-enact the paddle-out that took place as a memorial to Moriarity shortly after he died in 2001.
INFORMATION: 1,000 extras with wetsuits and surfboards to re-create the paddle-out.
PERKS: Expect eight hours on the set both days with a check-in time of 6:30 a.m. Extras will not be paid, but lunch will be served and there will be raffle prizes.
CONTACT: 831management@gmail.com.

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