The September Sessions

The September Sessions follows 6-time world champion Kelly Slater during a self-imposed break from the professional surf circuit, escaping the pressures of fame and competition in search of freedom and pure surfing. Shot in 16mm by Jack Johnson, the film captures Slater and friends like Rob Machado and Shane Dorian exploring the pristine reefs of the Mentawai Islands off Sumatra. Free from the structure of contests and sponsorship obligations, they rediscover the joy and spontaneity that first drew them to the ocean. The sessions unfold with a raw, intimate energy, pairing soulful surfing with Johnson’s original music and a relaxed, behind-the-scenes camaraderie. Equal parts travel diary, surf film, and meditation on simplicity, The September Sessions reflects a turning point for Slater and an era of surf filmmaking that prized authenticity over spectacle a timeless reminder of what surfing looks like when it’s done for nothing but the love of it.