The younger surfers on the north shore of Oahu still revere to Joe Sharkey as the once-legendary 'Shark', but his sponsors have moved on and Joe wonders what new future awaits him on the horizon. When he accidentally hits and kills a man near Waimea while drunk-driving, he fears he will never rebound. With the help of his girlfriend Olive, he throws himself into uncovering his victim's story. Renowned writer Paul Theroux captures the glory and nostalgia of looking back at a rich and adventurous past.