Meet the autistic surfer who’s inspired generations of groms | Huck
Huck
Surf

Meet the autistic surfer who’s inspired generations of groms

Curt film release — Curt Harper is a SoCal surfing legend who’s never let autism come in the way of doing what he loves. Watch the full Curt documentary here.

“Everybody that surfs in Southern California knows Curt, he’s famous,” explains pro Dane Reynolds.

Curt Harper was diagnosed with autism aged just two years old. Now aged 50, he’s been surfing for four decades and has helped to nurture and inspire multiple generations of SoCal surfers, including Reynolds, Timmy Curran and Bobby Martinez.

Filmmakers Jordan Tappis and Brendan Hearne have turned his story into the brilliant short documentary, Curt.

Autism affects 1 in 42 boys, making it hard for them to communicate verbally and non-verbally, and making interacting with the world around them challenging. But Curt has never let that come in the way of his surfing, competing for Hurley and ferrying countless young groms to and from the beach near his home in Santa Monica over the years.

Curt is a powerful reminder that even the biggest challenges shouldn’t get in the way of doing what you love, supporting others and helping build community.

Find out more about the film.


You might like

Young person holding a red hibiscus flower over one eye, wearing a white graphic T-shirt, standing before a pale blue wooden door with a surfboard nearby.

London Surf / Film Festival returns this weekend

Share the stoke — Its 15th edition will take place from November 5-7 at Hammersmith’s Riverside Studios, with films from South Africa, Canada, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, USA, Sri Lanka, Ireland, France, UK and beyond.

  • Sport
  • Hannah Mildner
Members Only
Young woman on a city pavement holding a lamppost, wearing a black leather jacket, white top, and red-orange maxi skirt.

Ahilya Bamroo is Gen Z India’s authentic ambassador

Reel relatable — The influencer turned actor speaks about trolls, beauty standards and youth activism.

  • Huck 84: It Starts With Us
  • Radhika Iyengar
© Darren Vargas

The lasting community legacy of a legendary Californian boxing gym

Moretón — Since opening in the ’80s, the Coachella Valley Boxing Club has trained multiple world champions, while providing a vital hub for local youth. In his new photobook, Darren Vargas documents its tight-knit, Chicano-led community, while also weaving a deeply personal story.

  • Sport
  • Jack Dennison-Thompson

In Portugal, a DIY longboarding festival is keeping surfing’s radical roots alive

Gliding Barnacles — Set in Figueira da Foz, the five day get together was born out of the local scene’s desire to protect the local environment and their coastal breaks. Ellie Howard traces its growth and all round celebration of creativity.

  • Sport
  • Ellie Howard

Exploring girlhood and land ancestry in Sudan’s cotton fields

Cotton Queen – A new feature debut from filmmaker Suzannah Mirghani explores the legacy of colonialism and the fight for self-determination through the tender eyes of a teenage girl.

  • Culture
  • Roxana Diba

Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters joins team of new Palestinian resistance documentary

Freedom Theatre — Directed by Rishi Pelham, the film spotlights a theatre operating in the Jenin refugee camp.

  • Activism
  • Ella Glossop
You've read articles this month Thanks for reading

Join Club Huck — it's free!

Valued Huck reader, thank you for engaging with our journalism and taking an interest in our dispatches from the sharp edge of culture, sport, music and rebellion.

We want to offer you the chance to join Club Huck [it's free!] where you will receive exclusive newsletters, including personal takes on the state of pop culture and media from columnist Emma Garland, culture recommendations, interviews and dispatches straight to your inbox.

You'll also get priority access to Huck events, merch discounts, and more fun surprises.

Already part of the club? Enter your email above and we'll get you logged in.