New Women's Surf Film Gets The Hollywood Premiere It Deserves

There are surf movies that define generations and eras. The new film “Now Days,” which features world champions and Olympic athletes Caroline Marks, Caity Simmers, and Molly Picklum, alongside high-flying rising stars Erin Brooks, Sierra Kerr, and Sky Brown, is one such film. 

At a blue carpet affair in the heart of Hollywood, the new film, produced by surfing pioneer Jodie Nelson in conjunction with Red Bull Media House, made its West Coast debut on Thursday night. Nearly three years in the making, it showcases a generation of female surfers who are currently dominating the sport and elevating the culture to new heights. 

Held at the Hollywood Legion Theater, a stone’s throw from the Hollywood Bowl (where Jack Johnson will play later this year), the show opened with a live ballet number by a troupe of beautiful, young ballerinas clad in black tutus and pointe shoes—a tribute to Simmers’ part in the film.

“Surfing is a dance,” the 2024 world champ before her section in the film, which features the same ballet troupe in the same black tutus.

Shot on location in Hawaii, Tahiti, Fiiji, South Africa, California and more, “Now Days” follows a time-tested surf film format, perhaps most comparable to Taylor Steele’s early “Momentum” movies in its use of rapid-fire, high-impact surf footage, skits and casual interviews from the surfers that give you an insight into who they are, coupled with a soundtrack that doesn’t quit—from “Wild In The Streets” by the Circle Jerks to “The Air That I Breathe” by the Hollies and Cat Power’s “Sea Of Love,” the music for the film is as ecclectic as it is powerful — the playlist is made for your next trip to the beach. 

Each of the young women have their own section in the film. Twenty-four-year-old Olympic gold medalist Marks leads things off. The most senior of the women in the film, it’s wild to think about how much she’s accomplished in such a short period of time. Playing the role of veteran, it’s clear how much she’s inspired and motivated Simmers, Picklum, and Brooks. And don’t think for a second her precision surfing has slowed down a step. She was right there for the title in 2025, neck and neck with Picklum, until the South Pacific eventually wore her down. 

Kerr and Brown bring aerial innovation and progressive surfing to the equation in their respective parts. A hard-charging barrel rider who throws airs like her old man, Kerr’s potential is seemingly limitless at this point. And then there’s Brown, whose ability to jump between surfing and skating makes her a modern-day Bo Jackson for action sports.

And you can mark my words, based on what she does in “Now Days,” Brooks will contend for a world title in 2026. She’s a generational talent who’s both driven and has a humble heart of gold. Stronger, more experienced, more confident, she’s going do serious damage on tour this year. 

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That brings us to the two other world champs, Picklum and Simmers. They’re different surfers. Rivals. And deep, fast friends. Their relationship has been forged by the burning glare of the spotlight. Picklum’s barrel riding and brash, powerful, Aussie approach earned her the title in Fiji last year. And as noted above, Simmers’ surfing is akin to a flowing dance. She’s a transformative, soft-spoken, stylish figure who will inspire generations, much as Tom Curren has done. Graceful, never missing a beat, she scored the last section of the film—the same place Steele used to reserve for Kelly Slater in his films. 

It’s been a minute since surfing celebrated a surf movie premiere with a proper Hollywood kick-off, and “Now Days” was exactly the right way to bring it back. The film we be released on Red Bull TV and Red Bull Surfing YouTube on May 1, you’re going to want to have it on repeat all summer.