FAQ

Yes. Surf Detroit was filmed in both Detroit and Los Angeles. Detroit locations include Belle Isle, The People Mover, Van Dyke Street, downtown areas near river walk close to Spirit of Detroit and the Joe Louis Fist. The night-time driving scene shows street signs of Detroit as well as lights from the GM building in the far distance. Los Angeles locations include Santa Monica, USC Lloyd stage, Carson stage, the USC crew boathouse near San Pedro, USC dive team pool, and Monterey Park.

We filmed on the Detroit River, which is completely flat - there are no waves for surfing, plus it is too shallow for safe wipe-outs. The story Surf Detroit is about a brother and sister who want to be surfers in a world where surfing is not common. In real life, there is a great surfing community and surfing culture in Detroit. Most of these surfers travel to the great lakes, especially in winter when waves are higher, as well as travel to places such as Hawaii, California, North Carolina, South America, or wherever the surf is up! As filmmakers, we are grateful to the welcoming and supportive Detroit surfers who advised us on the river currents and surf culture of Detroit.