Beyond Classic

Andrew just got his driving license and bought this new cadillac. We filmed with Andrew around California a lot for this film. It was a lot of fun getting Andrew in some different waves that he was not always used to surfing. Andrew has such a unique style for his age and it is really amazing to see how he approaches a variety of different waves and conditions.

Wherever we go in the world, the Gudauskas brothers are always searching for a good time. One of the best parts about making this film has been traveling together. The brothers have this really positive energy and everywhere we go the locals always seem to take us in and show us some kind of secret surf spot, adventure, or just fun night out on the town. Nate Yeomans is like an adopted older-brother in the Gudauskas clan and is always partaking on some kind of adventure or activity with the boys on the road.

Tanner and Tyler Warren grew up together in San Clemente. Tanner had seen a photo of Tyler surfing J bay on one of his shapes and asked Tyler if he could shape him a board. Tanner has brought this board on a few film trips for the movie. The most memorable session was our trip to Australia this spring. Everyone would take turns and they all had some classic sessions on the bar of soap. Everywhere we went, people wanted to give this board a go. It always makes for an interesting session.

The boys checking the waves in Mexico. The best part about making this film has been getting everyone together. One of our goals was to make this a team project. We wanted to make a project not about the individuals, but our team as a whole. It is great traveling with guys like Joel Tudor because of his knowledge of our sport. He always has the most amazing stories to share with everyone. Even though everyone comes from very different backgrounds, we all get along really well.

Almost everyone on the Vans team enjoys playing a little music on the road. It is a great way to pass the time when the surf is subpar. The Gudauskas brothers and Dylan Graves especially love getting groovy on the guitar. One of the best times we had making the film was writing the theme song to Get-N-Classic. We did a road trip from the Gold Coast down to South Oz in an RV. One rainy day, lounging around the RV, the boys started to play some music. At this point, our movie did not have a name, so we tried to come up with a title to sum up our experiences on the road trip. This is how Get-N-Classic was born. After a few beers for inspiration, we came up with our theme song. Shortly after, the stars aligned and the rest of the trip was filled with nothing but perfect waves.

Dane, Pat and Tanner are three of the most talented surfers in the world. One of the best parts about traveling and filming together is that no matter what wave you go to in the world, the brothers will always shine. It can be in 2 foot, sloppy Snapper Rocks or heaving Shipsterns Bluff. Front hand, back hand, whatever -- the Gudauskas clan is truly amazing to watch.

I have always loved filming with Rat because he has such a great style. He can ride almost any board and make it look good. Rat is also a visionary. He was doing all the tricks kids do now 20 years ago, so we all have a lot of respect for him. It has been an honor getting to work with him over the last couple years and he is truly one of the most genuine people you will ever meet.

We had taken a couple trips to Puerto Rico for the movie. Dylan Graves is such a gracious host and always shows everyone the best time. It's always a blessing going on a film trip with local people who have considerable knowledge of the waves and surroundings of an area. The waves in Puerto Rico are great for filming because there is a lot of variety. Even though it can get windy, it's great for filming airs. Dylan has intimate knowledge of the coastline in Puerto Rico and always showed us some incredible set ups.

This shot sums up the entire trip -- Dane and a friend in Australia with matching haircuts. Everywhere we went, everyone loved Dane and his greenough-esque-hair. Dane has this amazing energy that keeps everyone on a trip positive and stoked. He translates that energy into his surfing, putting everything into his turns. It's refreshing to see how Dane approaches on a wave.

This is all of us checking the clips in Hawaii. Not sure where Reagan Ritchie is, one of the other directors of the film, but he is probably out filming. Vans has a lot of history in Hawaii, so it was really important we put a lot of emphasis on the North Shore. Hawaii and Vans is all about family and community. It's a place where everyone on the team gets together during the year

Alex has a unique approach to riding waves. Along with Joel, filming with Alex is always exciting because he can ride almost any board. He is so much fun to film and hang out with. It was important for us to showcase guys like Alex and Joel along with the rest of the team.

Nolan and the Gudauskas family on a safari in South Africa. The boys had the chance to go with their parents to J Bay last year. The Vans crew is a lot like a family. We all travel together to all year long. The Gudauskas family is one of the nicest I have ever met.

Tanner is the youngest of the Gudauskas clan. One of the best sessions we filmed with Tanner was at these beachbreaks between the Gold Coast and Sydney. Tanner is no one-trick-pony, he has such a wide variety of power and progression in his surfing.

Nathan Florence along with his brothers, are the 3 hardest charging kids in their age group. The things and places these kids will have seen by their 18th birthday will be like no other on this planet. I really enjoyed spending a lot of time with Nathan on this trip to Australia. Not many people know, but Nathan is a very talented writer. On the road he will read more books in one trip than I did my whole time in college.

1

2

3

4