Sydney Australia, - It is, of course, a story of bigwave riding – the feats of which still manage to astound no matter how many times they are witnessed.
Moreover,however, Fighting Fear, the new movie from OʼNeill big wave charger MarkMathews, documents an extraordinary story of friendship between Mark and fellow surfer and Ultimate Fighting star Ritchie Vas as they chase their dreams and combat the demons of their past.
The two friends from Maroubra, in Sydney Australia, are fearless, living life on the edge, daring each other to surf bigger waves, party harder, and take greater risks.
But when their adrenalin-seeking antics & partying turns sour, it sets in motion adramatic and life-changing series of events that threatens to derail everything they have worked so hard for.
The feature length documentary Fighting Fear gives a personal insight into these two world-class athletes in sports with deadly consequences and how their friendship has helped bring them through it.
"We have been filming this over three years," says Mark Mathews. "Itʼs been an incredible experience. Sometimes scary, sometimes crazy, but overall just amazing to be able to look back at everything myself and Richie have been through... and come through."
This winter,the movie will be making its tour through Europe along with its stars, Mark Mathews, Richie Vaculik and film director, editor, filmer, Macario De Souza .
Donʼt miss Fighting Fearʼs European movie tour.www.facebook.com/ONeill
Catch the trailer at www.youtube.com/teamoneill
Mark Mathews
When the swell forecast predicts waves over 40 feet, that's when Australian Pro- Big Wave surfer Mark Matthews starts getting excited. The 29 year old from Sydney's Maroubra has become one of the World's Best Big Wave surfers over the last five years. Mark and Richie's friendship dates back to early days in the water when Mark was scared of big waves and often had to get his mother to come and paddle him in.
Although his entire family surf, he is the only one to focus on making it his career - indeed Mark's dad is a surgeon, his mum runs a yoga retreat in New York and his sister teachers in China.
In 2007, Mark caught the wave of the day at the 2007 Monster Energy Pro at Pipeline, Hawaii, earning him global recognition, since then, Mark has been unstoppable in his quest for bigger waves, winning Big Wave Awards in 2009, 2010 and at the Oakley 2011 Big Wave Awards.
When waves are flat or between injuries Mark plays piano, the guitar, or picks up a new instrument to pass the time until he can surf again. He makes a conscious effort to keep hisenergy positive, especially in the weeks before a big swell and is known to meditate & read spiritual self-help books to help him mentally prepare for conquering impossibly high waves.
FIGHTING FEAR EUROPEAN TOUR 2011
18th NOVEMBER FRANCE BIARRITZ CINEMA
19th NOVEMBER PORTUGAL SURFCASTLEPENICHE
24th NOVEMBER GERMANY HAMBURG
25th NOVEMBER NETHERLANDS FILMHUIS DENHAAG
26th NOVEMBER BELGIUM GAND VOORRUIT
29th NOVEMBER UK LONDON
30th NOVEMBER CZECH REPUBLIC PRAGUE
7th DECEMBER SPAIN SURF FILM FESTIVALSANTANDER
8th DECEMBER FRANCE PARIS