EXT. HUNTINGTON BEACH - MORNING
It's the Huntington Beach Open, competitions of the year. Major
fans, and lots of photographers mid-20's, paddles out into massive waves.
ANNOUNCER
(O.S. Played as if it's almost in Tyler's head)
Next up, we have a late entry into the competition. I am sure everyone remembers Tyler Byrd. If you don't, you should pay attention. The once so called 'Golden Boy' of surfing is back today on his home surf.
DANIEL CRONE, late 20's, in fit, pro-surfer shape, drys off from his previous heat. He looks to the water in surprise.
Tyler gets past the break and sits on his board waiting for a wave. He looks back at the beach, contemplating the crowd.
ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
Everyone expected huge things from this young talent four years ago. Son of the great Howie Byrd, this kid was bred to become a legend.
We see old vibrant 16mm footage of HOWIE BYRD (20's), surfing large waves on an old school surf board. He is the perfect image of a surfer; tall, lean and tan, hair bleached by the sun. In another clip, Howie surfs a BOB'S LONGBOARDS board with a very young Tyler on the nose. Tyler shouts with glee.
ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
But after his father's tragic death in San Onofre in 2009, he disappeared from the sport. We haven't seen him at a major event until today.
Daniel pulls ZOESCH, late 20's, muscular frat boy type, and LUCAS, mid-20's, a handsome red-head, away from a group of girls. They both start to protest, but Daniel silences them with a point to the ocean.
Tyler spots a perfect wave and paddles to meet it. He drops in, glides right and pops up on the board. He rides down the face gaining massive speed, carving and thrashing.
The guys watch with excited anticipation. Zoesch shakes Lucas.
ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
And Tyler has caught a beautiful wave.
Tyler zips up the face of the wave and launches off, huge amplitude, rocketing high above the top and in slow motion we see his trick progress. He goes fully inverted and spins a full 720, and rights himself. He sets himself up for a landing, but hasn't quite lined up properly. He smashes down, the with water enveloping him.
The guys react with dismay and exhilaration. He was so close!
We intercut with flashes of Howie, wiping out, then getting swallowed by the waves. He disappears in the whitewash.
ANNOUNCER (CONT'D)
I have literally never seen anything like that. Easily one of the most amazing attempts of the Open, but he came up just a bit short.
Tyler, still under the water, looks up into the sun's rays through the waves. He composes himself and slowly swims to the surface.
CUT TO:
EXT. MANHATTAN BEACH - EARLY MORNING - TITLE CARD '3 MONTHS LATER'
YOU ARE READING
The Breaks - Pilot
HumorSporty and Sexy. "The Breaks" is focused on a group of athletes rising through the ranks of the professional surfing world. They struggle with relationships, personal injuries and rival competition as well as the competitive nature of sponsored surf...
