Montara State Beach and the parking lots flanking La Costanera restaurant on Highway 1 have been a buzz of activity throughout the day as crews prepare to film a night scene for the about big wave Mavericks surfer and Santa Cruz native Jay Moriarity.
Though Moriarity is well-known and respected among big wave surfers from Pacifica, Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz for his skill taking on the world-famous surf break just outside Half Moon Bay as just a teen, his greatest legacy seems to be the effect he had on the surfing comunity itself for his infectious positive spirit.
"Jay is what surfing is all about ... he had a smile on his face and he was super stoked," reigning Mavericks surf contest champion Chris Bertish said at the on Mavericks Beach last November.
Moriarity died in a diving accident in 2001 at the age of 22.
The production team is planning to shoot a bonfire scene at the south end of the beach throughout the night to Saturday morning, according to an unnamed source familiar with the film.
Earlier today, a half-dozen trucks filled with equipment were being unloaded up in the La Costanera parking lot, while production crews drove carts back and forth along the beach. A few lights were already set up by mid-afternoon.
Starring Gerard Butler as Moriarity's mentor Rick Hesson and Jonny Weston as Moriarity himself, the film has been shooting at various locations in , , and .
Tonight's scene shooting at Montara State Beach is reportedly supposed to include Jonny Weston playing the young Moriarity, according to the unnamed source.
Whether Gerard Butler will be featured in tonight's scene is unknown.
In December, the film plans to shoot scenes on the coastal blufftops at Mavericks just outside Half Moon Bay to coincide with the big wave surfing season.
To receive news feeds about Half Moon Bay and the unincorporated Coastside between Montara and Pescadero, visit Half Moon Bay Patch on Facebook and "like" us here. Follow us on Twitter here.
