Remembering Jack McCoy: The Man Who Made Us Love the Waves

Here on the Beaches, it’s hard to find someone who hasn’t seen and been moved by Jack McCoy’s work. His films didn’t just showcase waves; they shared the spirit of the surf, the connection we have to nature, and the deep joy that comes from being in the water and on the crest of a wave.

Jack, who passed away on May 26, 2025, wasn’t just a filmmaker. He was a storyteller, a pioneer, and a custodian of surfing’s spirit, capturing the feeling of the ocean in a way that made everyone - surfers and non-surfers alike - fall in love with it.

Over a career spanning nearly five decades, Jack made almost 30 surf films that redefined what surf cinematography could be. His works, including Storm Riders, The Green Iguana, Bunyip Dreaming, Occy: The Occumentary, and Blue Horizon, weren’t just movies about surfing; they were moving portraits of surf culture, environmental beauty, and the unspoken connection between humans and the sea.

Jack was renowned for his innovative water cinematography. Before drones and GoPros existed, Jack was out there on jet skis with custom-made underwater housings, capturing surfers from angles no one else dared to try. He brought viewers inside the barrel, letting them experience the thunderous silence and blue light that only surfers know. His willingness to experiment with technology and technique changed the way the world saw surfing and inspired a generation of filmmakers to think creatively about how stories could be told.

Born in Los Angeles in 1948, Jack grew up in Hawaii, where he developed a deep connection to the ocean. In the 1970s, he moved to the North Shore of Oahu, capturing the world’s best surfers on the planet’s most challenging waves, forming friendships and collaborations with legends like Gerry Lopez and Rabbit Bartholomew. In the 1980s, Jack moved to Australia, making the Northern Beaches his home and continuing to share stories of surfing’s evolving culture while becoming a beloved figure locally.

Jack wasn’t just about showcasing the athleticism of surfers - he focused on the art of surfing and the people behind it. He captured moments of quiet reflection, goofy beach days, and the emotional highs and lows of surf life, revealing the depth of a culture often overshadowed by its glamour. He understood that surfing was more than a sport, it was a way of life, a lens through which many people found meaning, connection, and joy.

Jack also used his platform to advocate for the ocean. Through his films and public speaking, he encouraged environmental stewardship and the protection of waves and marine environments, believing that surfers have a responsibility to care for the oceans that give them so much.

And let’s talk about feeling “stoked.” If you didn’t know (you’re not alone!), “stoked” was originally surf slang for feeling happy and excited, particularly about the ocean and the surf being “up.” Jack’s life was all about sharing that stoke. His films, his conversations, and even his social media posts radiated that infectious energy, reminding everyone to slow down, appreciate the water, and live with gratitude.

The good old surf days of the Northern Beaches. Pics courtesy of Narrabeen Reunions and the Northern Beaches 

Locally, Jack was a generous mentor to young filmmakers and surfers alike. It wasn’t uncommon to see him sharing stories over coffee at Avalon, encouraging emerging creatives, or greeting locals with a warm smile and a story from his travels. His passion for life, community, and the ocean was impossible to ignore.

Jack McCoy leaves behind a legacy that goes beyond film. He leaves behind a community inspired; an ocean loved a little deeper, and a generation of surfers, storytellers, and ocean-lovers grateful for how he showed us the world through his lens.

Now, the community has a chance to say thank you.

A Paddle Out Celebration for Jack McCoy will be held on July 5 at Avalon Beach, with a 1 PM paddle out from Avalon Surf Club followed by a 3 PM celebration at Avalon Bowling Club, featuring live music and Jack’s films on the big screen. Everyone is encouraged to wear their favourite ALOHA shirt in Jack’s honour.

The event will support the Surfrider Foundation, Surfers for Climate, and the Jack McCoy Aloha Foundation - a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the waves and to reminding us to keep the stoke alive.

Rest easy, Jack, and thank you for showing us how to love the waves, live with joy, and protect the oceans we call home.

#JackMcCoy #NorthernBeaches #SurfCulture #OceanLovers #AvalonBeach #SurfFilm #SupportLocal #KeepTheStokeAlive #SurfLegend #SurfingLife #WaveRider #SaltwaterSoul #SurfCommunity #PaddleOut #BeachLife #SydneyBeaches #AustralianSurfing #SurfPhotography #SurfMovies #AlohaSpirit #OceanTribute #SurfingAustralia #CoastalCulture #LiveByTheSea #LocalLegends #CelebrateLife #SurfersForClimate #SurfriderFoundation #YouNorthernBeaches #NorthernBeachesLife #NorthernBeachesLocal #NBCommunity #NorthernBeachesLiving #NorthernBeachesEvents #AvalonLocal #PalmBeachNSW #SydneyNorthernBeaches #SupportLocalBeaches #NorthernBeachesBusiness