One of the better known local surf families had a very unusual history. And soon, everyone will know about it.

The new documentary “Surfwise” details the life of Dorian “Doc” Paskowitz and his nine children. Paskowitz and his wife Juliette raised all nine (David, Jonathan, Abraham, Israel, Moses, Adam, Salvador, Navah and Joshua in order) in a 24-foot camper on the beaches of Southern California, Mexico, Hawaii, and even in Israel. Each child surfed every day, adhered to a strict vegetarian diet and were home schooled.

The film, which opens locally May 23 at the Lido Cinema in Newport Beach, has already generated buzz at the Toronto Film Festival. If you don’t know the Paskowitz’, the story goes as follows: Dorian came to San Diego from Texas in 1934 and became a lifeguard at Mission Beach. He was one of the first regulars at San Onofre and though not really a competitor, Paskowitz finished runner up in the 1941 Pacific Coast Surf Riding Championships.

After graduating from Stanford medical school, he established the first surfing colony in Tel Aviv, Israel. In 1975, he transplanted the Paskowitz International Surfing School from Tel Aviv to San Onofre, where it still runs today. But back in the 1950s, he left his medical practice, went in pursuit of a nomadic surfing life, living as naturally as possible, and to the dismay of outsiders, ensured his kids did too.

“Most parents say ‘Go to school. Don’t go swimming with sharks, that’s dangerous.’ Our parents said, ‘You can go swimming with sharks, but you’re not going to school, that’s dangerous!’” Salvador says in the film. Other sons Israel and Jonathan were successful pro longboarders in the 1980s and Jonathan served as producer on the film.

To check out the trailer for “Surfwise,” click here or go to the official Website www.surfwisefilm.com/

For further information on Dorian Paskowitz, click here.  

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