Video Review

"Montaj"

Reviewed By Sak @ Eastcoastsurfer.com

Although it has been a number of years since the release of this movie, the surfing in it is as electric and cutting edge as it has ever been. I have to say that among all the videos that I have seen, this is my absolute favorite, hands-down. If it is possible to wear out a DVD from playing it, this disk will be the first one to become a beer-coaster.

Taj’s surfing is nothing but high-energy and aggressive. Monster airs with huge rotations and grabs, savage hacks, fins free insanity, and all sorts of anti-gravity creativity are showcased in a wild but tightly-edited package. Despite all this new-school loose-and-wild stuff, Taj can and will surf with clean lines and power when conditions warrant it; while his progressive flair provides inspiration to push the envelope, his tube-riding and backand carving can also serve as a tutorial for solid traditional surfing.

The thing I most notice about this video is the way the music and footage mesh seamlessly. Bass hits and changes in tempo are reflected visually. I find it impossible not to get amped when watching and listening to this movie. Big surf, small surf, tiny surf, it does not matter; the limits of what one thinks can be done on a wave are reset and this video serves as evidence. If, after watching it, you do not want to get out there and turn your surfing up a few notches, you should probably go ahead and sell your shortboards and buy yourself a shiny new longboard (not that there is anything wrong with longboards, per se).

Video highlights: The surfing and editing during the segments featuring music by Crazytown and Lords of Acid. Taj ruling his homebreak; when it is small, he absolutely toys with it and demonstrates what can (and you thought, can’t) be done in small surf. When it is sizable and doing its absolute best to implode on itself, he still pulls in deep and, upon exiting the barrel, still goes new-school on it. Finally, Montaj provides numerous visual reminders that beaches are topless in France.

NOTE: If you are having trouble finding this DVD in local shops, www.boardfolio.com appears to still have it in stock. I have gotten really good service from boardfolio.com , which is owned by surfers, for surfers.