Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Chasing Mavericks is based on the true story of how 16-year-old Jay Moriarty became a surfing legend by training to ride the massive Mavericks waves. There are a few brief scenes of violence -- mostly pushing, shoving, and huge waves battering a few surfers who aren't up to the task -- as well as a couple of disturbing moments: A young wife/mother suffers a stroke and dies, and a young man is shown moments before his death by drowning. This is an inspiring tale of perseverance and discipline, but (spoiler alert!) it ends in the sadness that Moriarty died at age 22 while doing what he loved: taking risks with the sea.
Sexual
Content
Brief kiss between married couple; one kiss between teens in love.
Violence
A young wife/mother has a stroke and dies. Huge waves crash down on unprepared surfers who get bloody and bruised. A young man is shown moments before his death by drowning. A young bully smashes a car mirror with a bat; a teen boy tackles a man to the ground for threatening his mother. Teens look like they're going to come to blows but manage to break off the antagonism before anyone gets hurt.
Language
"Oh my God," plus insults like "trash," "loser," etc.
Social
Behavior
Chasing Mavericks' overall messages are that with enough determination and discipline, you can accomplish anything. Jay accomplishes it by staying true to his course as a surfer, son, and student to Frosty. Even when things get hard, Jay never gives up and continues on his mission to ride the Mavericks.
Consumerism
Frosty drives a big Ford van, and Radio Shack is mentioned.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Jay's mom drinks a lot (he smells her drinks to confirm that there's alcohol in them and then throws them away). Teen bullies seem to be selling drugs, although it's never explicitly shown.
