Professional longboarder Josie Prendergast examines the intersection of local surf culture, language barriers, and a mid-length board transition in her new three-week Mexican surf film, Prenda Mia. Alongside videographer Georde Grigor and photographer Anna Maria Janssen, Prendergast showcases underground Mexican surfers Patty Ornelas in Saladita, Coral Muñoz Ricardez in Barra de la Cruz, and Linda Monroy in Salina Cruz across 15 minutes of predominantly left-hand point breaks.
Inside Prenda Mia, Josie Prendergast’s New Mexican Surf Film
Honoring Local Surfers as Cultural Anchors
The film’s title translates to "My Darling" in Spanish, reflecting the local surfers who act as cultural anchors in each coastal town. Prendergast states that she wanted to highlight regional surfers who are driving the sport forward in their home breaks.
"Each little town and girl I visited, they’re almost like their little darlings from the town, which I thought was really sweet," Prendergast explains regarding the concept.
While Prendergast previously knew Patty Ornelas through longboarding, she connected with Coral Muñoz Ricardez after watching her surf in Barra de la Cruz. Prendergast notes that Muñoz Ricardez is a young standout at a break where very few local women surf.
Overcoming Communication Hurdles on Location
Production safety and communication relied heavily on crew composition. Photographer Anna Maria Janssen, originally from the Netherlands, resides in Mexico and is fluent in Spanish.
"There was no way the rest of us could communicate with anyone," Prendergast notes, adding that Janssen’s language skills prevented potential conflicts during the three-week trip.
Communication with Patty Ornelas, who speaks limited English, relied on non-verbal connection. Prendergast describes their dynamic through shared moments of warmth, hugs, and simple encouragement in the lineup.
Embracing McTavish Mid-Lengths Over Traditional Longboards
Best known for her traditional longboarding style, Prendergast shifted toward smaller boards following encouragement from her partner, professional surfer Taj Richmond. Previously limiting her sessions to waves under four feet on a longboard, Prendergast transitioned to a McTavish mid-length during a larger swell.
"Ever since then, it was like magic to me. I realised I didn’t actually have to stay home or just chill on the beach," Prendergast says.
By the following year, Prendergast estimates that approximately 80% of her surfing took place on smaller equipment. While she maintains a connection to the grounded, calm feeling of longboarding, she describes shortboarding as exciting and humbling, ultimately improving her overall confidence and helping her pursue barrel rides in hollower waves.
Worth a look