Water Brother

A terrific story about a remarkable living legend documented perfectly with excellent content from start to finish. Sid - his endless kindnesses & extreme generosity are an inspiration to all. Spanning over 5 decades, this story of deep human connections, close knit and fractured families, recovery and love is not to be missed. Archival footage, interviews with family, lifelong friends and professional athletes tossed with the perfect dose of humor mixed with genuine, deep emotion perfectly captures the close knit, international community created by Sid. A must see for any surf and skate enthusiasts as well as those who value kindness in action over the entirety of one's life.

There's icons within board culture that can be and should be considered the forefathers of pushing it forward. Jake Burton to snowboarding, Stacy Peralta to skating, and now we have light being shed on the man simply known as, "The Package" who owned a crowned jewel of the culture in the Waterbrothers Board Shop. As we see big boxed retailers and online conglomerates taking over and pushing out the local man, people like Sid are the reason they're able to even do it in the first place. But what they can't do is replicate the essence of what it is to be a boarder, and that is reflected perfectly in this documentary. It's the spirit and passion of taking heavy slams while being picked up and brushed off by the ones around, and being celebrated when you lay one down just right. It's a feeling that only boarders can appreciate and understand, the beauty and creativity of individualistic expression while simultaneously being a part of a larger community, with a vivacious pulse. You feel every bit of that energy during this documentary, and this should be put next to some other great documentaries like Bones Brigade: The Autobiography or Dear Rider, that encapsulates the raw love of boarding and being a part of the unique community that it is.

Water brother is such a beautifully made film. It's funny, engaging, heartfelt, but most of all real. Surf and skate has been through a lot of different stages over the past 50 years, and one constant, Sid Abbruzzi. The shop water brothers, Sid, his wife Danielle, all the OWB, every aspect of this documentary is just perfectly done.

The Kinnane brothers did such an amazing job bringing the authenticity of water brothers and sid to the big screen. That, coupled with the archive footage and photos (Sid somehow saved for 50+ years) take you down such a fun road. If you don't know sid, you will after this movie.

Sid is a legend, a brother, husband, and most of all a friend to anyone who loves the sport. I'm so excited the world finally gets a glimpse into the world of water brothers and the core lord Sid Abbruzzi.

After seeing this film for the second time I can honestly say it is one of my favorite surf documentaries.

Anyone with an interest in surf or skate will find this documentary compelling, exciting, and at times, humorous and heartfelt. The combination of exciting surf and skate clips, excellent music choice, personal stories, and throwback footage make this film entertaining from beginning to end. The doc features many locals as well as people in the industry who have at one point or another been affected by Sid in a positive way.

Would watch this film over and over if I could, can't recommend it enough.

Sid's story *is* the story. This movie is a must-watch. I'm talking a cinematic achievement that not only captures a life but elevates it to something extraordinary. The visuals are absolutely stunning-every frame feels like it's been meticulously crafted to convey not just the physical beauty of Rhode Island and the East Coast surf scene, but the essence of its culture, its soul.

Sid is more than just a figure in the surfing world. He's an icon-a true champion of community, a person who's redefined what it means to connect with others through a shared passion. This film doesn't just tell his story; it brings it to life in a way that feels almost impossible to pull off. The filmmakers do the unthinkable: they get close to the glory Sid deserves while still keeping it grounded in the grit, heart, and raw energy that makes him such a compelling figure.

This isn't just about waves and boards-this is about legacy, connection, and a lifetime of riding the highs and lows of life and the ocean. It's a film that'll resonate with anyone who's ever tried to carve out their own path or, frankly, just felt the pull of something bigger than themselves. I can't recommend it enough. Trust me, you won't regret it.