The surfing lifestyle conjures up images of crashing waves, lithely tanned bodies atop rapier-sharp boards and a philosophy that wouldn't trouble the Fabian Society.

In a world where there are more pressing considerations, it appears strange to think of a sect whose priorities include 'double overheads' and 'four-wave sets'.

Anne Marie (Bosworth) is a surfer trying to break into a male-dominated world by means of dashing to the beach to catch the early wave at sunrise.

Her focus is the Hawaiian Pipe Masters surf competition - but she's got some obstacles to overcome before she realises her dream.

She has been sacked as a chambermaid, money is tight and she has to look after her little sister after their absentee mother trotted off to Vegas.

Then, a tragedy of such magnitude that few situations prepare you for knocks her for six: her surfboard snaps in two.

Morosely trudging out of the water, she walks into star football quarterback Matt (Davis), who persuades her to give him surfing lessons.

She finds herself falling for him¿but at the cost of her single-minded Pipe dream and the disgust of staunch supporter Eden (Rodriguez).

The plot would appeal to the sort of people who find Baywatch an emotionally taxing drama of profound complexity.

However, it's the surfing cinematography that really impresses (which is just as well, as 40% of the action takes place in the water).

Bosworth's surfing is stunning and some of the shots - taken on a boogie board at the core of a 40ft wave - are truly astonishing.

OK, so Bosworth may not be Judi Dench...but could you see the Dame ripping out of a roller the size of a small tower block?

Adolescent feminists will love the female strike at the male bastion, and spotty teenage boys gorging on the sight of skimpy thongs will come over all uneccessary.

Perfectly pitched at its target audience, the only shame is that Stockwell couldn't recreate the emotional fireworks of the fine crazy/beautiful.

Still, for wannabe girl crystal voyagers, it's persuasive evidence that life isn't such a beach after all.

Tim Evans