The surf world is mourning the loss of one of its most cherished and visionary storytellers. Jack McCoy, legendary surf filmmaker and creative force behind some of the sport’s most iconic movies, passed away at the age of 76.
Revered not only for his visual artistry but also for the emotional depth he brought to surf cinema, Jack leaves behind a legacy that has profoundly shaped generations of surfers and filmmakers alike.
Born in Los Angeles in 1948, Jack was introduced to media early as the son of a radio and television host. But it was the ocean that truly captured his imagination.
After moving to Hawaii with his family in the 1950s, Jack developed a passion for surfing that would become a lifelong calling. His journey behind the lens began in earnest after relocating to Australia in 1970, where he first embraced photography before evolving into cinematography.
In 1976, McCoy teamed up with Dick Hoole to produce Tubular Swells, his first surf film and a project that helped lay the groundwork for an entirely new approach to surf storytelling. Over the next four decades, he would become one of the most respected and influential surf filmmakers in history. His extensive body of work includes The Green Iguana, The Billabong Challenge, The Occumentary, and Blue Horizon — films that not only chronicled the evolution of the sport but elevated it to an art form.
Jack’s films are remembered not just for their stunning cinematography, but for their deep humanity. He had an extraordinary ability to capture surfing’s spiritual and emotional essence — portraying not only the surfers and waves but the connection between people and the sea. His work often went beyond the ride, exploring identity, culture, and the quest for meaning that drives surfers to the water time and again.
Despite battling health issues in recent years, Jack remained committed to his craft. He remastered and toured his classic films, including Blue Horizon, often attending screenings and sharing behind-the-scenes stories with the same enthusiasm and warmth that defined his career. In one of his final interviews, McCoy reflected on his passion for storytelling: “I was always looking for those golden moments, unique happenings and conversations which capture a particular moment in time and tell the story unlike anything else.”
His collaborators and fans remember him as a larger-than-life figure — generous, curious, and endlessly passionate. Surf historian Matt Warshaw remarked, “Jack McCoy’s work existed on a different artistic plane altogether.” It’s a sentiment echoed across the surf world, where tributes have flooded in, remembering Jack not just as a filmmaker, but as a mentor, a friend, and an eternal grom at heart.
Jack McCoy was the kind of person who made time for everyone. Whether it was sharing a quiet cup of tea, swapping stories on a beach, or discussing the nuances of surf culture, he made you feel seen, heard, and connected. His love for surfing was matched only by his love for the people within it.
Today, the surf world has lost one of its greats. But through his films — and the countless lives he touched — Jack McCoy’s spirit will continue to glide effortlessly through the waves, reminding us all to see the ocean not just as a playground, but as a place of wonder, healing, and timeless stories.
Our hearts go out to Jack’s family, friends, and the entire global surf community. Thank you, Jack, for everything.
