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The Way

Name: The Way
Director: Luke Cameron
Released: 2018
Duration: 73 min

Representation Score

2.4/10

Limited

2018

TV-14

Director

Luke Cameron

Runtime

73 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The documentary focuses on the historical legacy of surfing and the professional achievements of athletes. It prioritizes the preservation of historical mentorship and the personal struggles of surfers over broader social commentary. While the film includes female athletes and a multi-ethnic perspective, it remains tied to traditional sporting hierarchies and values. The narrative structure centers on individual merit and the celebration of a specific cultural lifestyle.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Way have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The documentary focuses on the historical legacy of Peter Way and the professional trajectories of surfers. There is no evidence of LGBTQ+ characters or narratives addressing non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth identities.

How does The Way portray gender?

Fair

The film highlights the professional journeys of female surfers like Paige Hareb, providing meaningful insights into their roles despite the historical focus remaining on male figures.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Way?

Fair

Ricardo Christie adds racial diversity to the professional surfing community, but the narrative centers on the specific Kiwi surfing identity and national champion legacy.

How does The Way represent religion and culture?

Limited

The documentary emphasizes Western sporting values such as individual perseverance and honoring legends, celebrating a specific cultural lifestyle without challenging traditional structures.

Does The Way include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters or subjects navigating visible or invisible disabilities, neurodivergence, or chronic illness within the film.

Present on Screen

Includes female professional surfers like Paige Hareb to provide insight into the industry.
Features a multi-ethnic view of the professional circuit through figures like Ricardo Christie.
Highlights the personal adversity and professional trajectories of diverse athletes.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of LGBTQ+ identities or non-assuming gender matches what was assigned at birth gender narratives.
Does not include subjects navigating disabilities or neurodivergence.
Maintains a conventional focus on patriarchal lineage and Western sporting values.

Official Synopsis

The Way is an inspirational story of the adversity and challenge professional surfers go through while trying to make it. The film starts with the discovery of an old surfboard washed ashore in Nelson, New Zealand. The board is refurbished and it turns out it was shaped by legendary charger Peter Way, New Zealand’s first ever national champion in 1963. Peter was known for his antics in and out of the water, but it was his mark on surfboard shaping, competitive surfing and surf lifestyle that has influenced the lives of generations of surfers who have come after him. Current pros Paige Hareb, Billy Stairmand and Ricardo Christie weigh in on what has driven them to success and also hard times. Maz Quinn takes us through becoming the first ever Kiwi to make the world tour of surfing and we’re taken on a journey through the north island of New Zealand to return the old board to the man who made it, Peter Way.

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