I’ve always rooted for Kolohe Andino. Even at his most competitive, USA-flag-flying focused, I still pulled for him. He was clearly engulfed by the jersey wearing segment of surfing that I no longer really believed in or put too much thought into outside of watching heats when convenient—beer in hand, fielding questions about scores and what I thought. I still love good surfing, so yes, I watched. I watch. And if Kolohe is out, he’s probably the pony I’m pulling for.

At its most simple: I love his style. An iconic California approach: balanced and clean, groomed on points with a raw and spontaneous air game honed by thousands of hours in the punchy beach breaks of OC. I love that he has a side no one really knows about too (think stickers ripped off, heater blasting on 9-hour drives north to find cold mystery slabs alone). And I’d spent enough time with him to know he was a layered and complicated dude beneath the one-track competitive mind that he’s put forward for a good decade now.

I also knew he could be a fucking brat. Hot and cold with his vision. His surfing. Never really letting his guard down, even with me, someone who’s interviewed and known him since he was 7 years old. I could even see it in his turns on the webcast sometimes. Uptight, self conscious. I always wished he’d chill out a bit, be OK with his vulnerabilities and lean into what makes his surfing so fun to watch: grom-like enthusiasm and total comfort with his Core Score. And after years of waiting, I’m happy to finally confirm he’s found the balance. Be it adulthood, his first child coming, humbling injuries, a new focus on artistic pursuits, this film project, new house, some time at home or all of the above, his surfing and headspace and attitude seem in total alignment. Finally.

A year or so ago, after returning from the trip of a lifetime, Kolohe reached out and asked for a bit of guidance on his new project. That project has become: Reckless Isolation, a film with a synopsis every surfer dreams of: Five lifelong best friends find a loophole in the paperwork that leads them on the surf trip of their lives. It’s a mission that never should have happened really. But with perseverance, luck, gamble and lots of froth — the ultimate surf trip to Indonesia became even more epic. More perfect. More isolated. More unlikely.

With nods to the past, Kolohe and his best friends Ian, Luke, Griffin and Crosby all bring that “...Lost/Biolos/Lost at Sea” spirit both underfoot with that Mayhem logo on all their boards and in their own subtle tweaks and interpretations of classic California style. The film showcases surfing in its most present tense, the shape of surfing to come, where it’s going and where it's been, all backdropped by the ultimate tropical playground...completely empty.

Today we officially announce the trailer and U.S. Premiere Tour that will be making its way up and down the coasts throughout September before finally World Premiering online for all to see on October 7 at Red Bull TV. We really hope you can make it out to a premiere. That’s the goal. All the boys are coming to all the stops and we can’t wait to see you. This film is something we can all root for.—Travis Ferré

Click here to see the complete tour and get tickets to an event in your area.

U.S. Tour Dates

-September 5 | San Clemente, CA | Stance HQ | Buy Tickets

-September 6 | Encinitas, CA | La Paloma Theatre | Buy Tickets

-September 9 | Orlando, FL | The Plaza Live | Buy Tickets

-September 10 | New Smyrna Beach, FL | Atlantic Center for the Arts | Buy Tickets

-September 11 | Jacksonville, FL | SURFER the Bar | Buy Tickets

-September 13 | Wrightsville, NC | Wrightsville Beach Park | Buy Tickets

-September 15 | Ventnor, NJ | Ventnor Square Theatre | Buy Tickets

-September 16 | Asbury, NJ | Asbury Lanes | Buy Tickets

-September 17 | Queens, NY | The Rockaway Hotel | Buy Tickets

-September 18 | Portsmouth, NH | 3S Artspace | Buy Tickets