Back in 1987, square in the halcyon days of neon boardshorts and VHS tapes, Quiksilver released the classic surf film “Mad Wax.” In it, Ross Clarke-Jones invents a triangular bar of wax with the power to transport surfers to their dream destination with a few rubs. Hokey as the plot may sound, these were the days when surf and skate films weren’t just a collection of banger clips neatly stitched together. They had a plot and a storyline – even if that plot was really just an elaborate excuse to show athletes doing their thing. It’s no wonder the classic skate film, “The Search for Animal Chin” also came out in ’87.
Given the 80s are particularly en vogue these days, not least of which due to the success of shows like Stranger Things, the folks at Quiksilver chose to do a short little “Mad Wax” re-boot – or, rather, a continuation. RCJ’s got one bar (er, three) of his magical wax left and decides to share it with Quik team riders Caroline Marks, Kanoa Igarashi, and Leo Fioravanti. Ironically, the three leave the North Shore and travel to California, Portugal, and France, respectively. Not the other way around. On the whole, surfers collective acting ability hasn’t improved much since the 1980s. But kudos to Quiksilver for keeping things fun with this one, and uploading the original “Mad Wax” to Youtube.
