On most days, from the main peak at New York City’s Rockaway Beach looking east a few jetties, you’ll see Thomas Brookins walking his goofy feet to the nose of his longboard at a less occupied lefthander. Brookins is a heap of friendliness sausage-cased in a 6/5/4-mil, yet true to his Big Apple surroundings, he’s never hesitant to call out whoever last burned him. But on land, the 39-year-old Dave Grohl doppelganger in black jeans and T-shirt has a flair for conversation.

Brookins discovered the ocean as a kid living in the Philippines with his military family, but he’s called Rockaway home for over a decade. He’s watched it grow from a seedy, almost-forgotten oceanfront peppered by tenements and littered with trash to a rejuvenated — perhaps, arguably, gentrified — playground for surfers in claustrophobic New York City. All of that Rockaway history and more is what Brookins chases in his latest film, Shadows Of The Same Sun.

When it premiered in September at the New York Surf Film Festival, hoots and hollers from the sold-out hometown crowd shook the theater. And when Shadows Of The Same Sun had its Rockaway premiere on November 19th at the Knights Of Columbus on 90th St. — the iconic location of so many surf film showings in years past — the film came entirely full circle.

EasternSurf.com talked with the Brookins about being a new dad, the origins of Shadows, how making movies saved him, and what he took from the Rockaway legends captured on camera.

ESM: Where did the concept for Shadows Of The Same Sun originate?
Thomas Brookins: The parting shot of the movie was a few little girls skipping in the evening sun on the boardwalk after I had just got done shooting some surfers for my first attempt at making a movie, called “Etched In Sections.” I didn't have a clue then — hadn't studied film — and I just discovered that I liked pointing cameras at things. But when I shot those girls, it just hit me. I’ve been surfing this beach for many years, and within that time I learned about the people here. Good-hearted, strong people. They have a genuine surfing history passed down through the generations. I was shooting something that, if it was in California or Hawaii, people would just embrace as the norm. But in New York City, reactions are usually like, “What? No, not here.” Yet there [are] so many surfers in all five boroughs, and up and down this coast… it’s embraced in every beach town from Florida to the Canadian border.

Why is NYC different? You love the ocean; that’s it. The neighborhood reminds me of some of the places I grew up. There are a ton of surfers who don’t know this history. I thought, “I’d like them to tell their story before it gets paved over.” I fell in love with cameras. I studied anything I could, saved money, sold personal belongings, bought new equipment, and learned new techniques. It was difficult; many people are so spread out and private, unless they get to know you. I've been surfing with many of their [family members] for a while, so many started to open up. It was an honor to even get some of these interviews.

ESM: How did you go about digging up the history? Did you know the old-timers that you wanted to interview, or did you have to try and connect with them?
TB: After surfing and hearing some of the stories people told in local surf shops and at BBQs, it gets you thinking. There are so many different versions of these stories, depending on what part of the peninsula they were from. I wanted to talk to people who could say who the first Rockaway surfers were. There are many stories, from the Duke to Pat Reen, who is a local legend. Anyone will tell you how wild and dedicated he was. [But] there is no written document. It's all from people who passed it to their own children and the neighborhood. People like John Dana, Dennis Farrell, Louie Romas, John Kowski — the list goes on — made surfing what it is today. I asked people who had the time or seemed interested in sharing. We had no budget [or] production crew, so it was basically a bunch of people talking story. They let me bring a few friends and a camera. These were only a few of the hundreds of stories to dig through in this town.

ESM: Once you whittled down the stories that define the place, how did you go about making the film? How long did the process take you from start to finish?
TB: It took roughly three years to get it all narrowed down to who and where we would shoot interviews. Once we got the interviews down, it was a lot of planning and research.

ESM: What did you learn from Rockaway’s older guys that changed your perspective towards the neighborhood?
TB: Another lesson in respect. Many think respect is something earned through victories, showing of honors, and facing trials. These guys seemed to have won it all just living every day as themselves. As surfers in a world full of nonstop motion, change, hardship, and joys, they were so stoked. Like Zen-ed out. Surprised anyone wanted to hear about them. They were very humble and genuinely happy to tell their stories. Most of them still surf — and well. That alone is inspirational, since we all skip over inside our heads, “How old will I be when I get to that point where I can’t surf anymore?” It’s a scary thought, but they keep on going, brush it off with a chuckle. It made me jealous to hear what amazing lives they’ve lived. When was the last time you sat around someone 55, 60, almost 75 years old, chatting about the good ol’ days, and you just wanted to shut the fuck up and listen? They seem to make the best of it all, through families, friends, and surfing.

ESM: As for the actual surfing, do you see some of their style from when the sport was just starting in the way people surf today?
TB: These guys were aggressive. They didn’t have the media — it’s not like surfing was an everyday idea. They learned from being stationed in the military in places like California and Hawaii, and brought boards back with them. They had to teach themselves and develop a style; looking at some of the old footage, you can clearly see it. Also, when you see the guys that came from parents who surfed from the late ‘60s and ‘70s there's an attitude that was handed down I think. Pete Egan, Dylan and Sundance Farrell, and the entire Reen family all have a super aggressive style. It’s clear that they represent a Rockaway pride in the water. Any wave, they’ll charge it. They’re humble, but they are tough cookies. That’s something embedded in New Yorkers.

ESM: What kind of response has Shadows received from the community? Has there been any push back from those who’d prefer that lips stay sealed about surfing in New York?
TB: Yes, there has been one person [like that]. Everyone else has been supportive. It’s normal for locals to be protective and passionate about their spots. Surfers are changing this area from one of the worst in all of New York City to an amazing community again. You can bust on the beginners and newcomers all you want, but I’d rather have them fixing up the houses, planting trees, getting involved with local government to try and get this amazing peninsula looking like a beach town again rather than the thugs, slumlords, and prostitutes breaking into my car and trashing the community. To quote Steve O’Sullivan in the movie: “Maybe I don’t like the crowds in the lineup, but I like my neighbors who bought the houses when no one else cared about Rockaway. I love the people who are coming here.” And this is from a guy who was known as a very vocal local. Rock is blown up — everyone knows it. I don’t care what the guy [who opposed the project] thinks, but he is part of the history here, too. Despite his shitty attitude, I do respect where he’s coming from. He doesn’t understand I didn’t do this for the money — I did it for this town. The place I call home.

ESM: What did you hope making Shadows would accomplish, either for you, the community, or both?
TB: I love this place. I’ve surfed many places and have known so many great people all because of surfing. I come from a strange background. I left home very young and have always worked my butt off, but I never really went to school. I grew up in impoverished neighborhoods and I feel like this place [is] somewhere between the two things I know best. If you knew me 20 years ago, you’d probably steer clear of me. But to find something I love doing here in New York City in the middle of a surfing community is priceless. It’s given me a new life. The friends I have here, the city, and surfing [are] like a movie I’m living. I’ve accomplished more then I ever imagined, and in doing so hope that I showcase the people that should be considered surfing legends in boroughs beneath the concrete jungle so far away from the tropical beaches that we’re used to seeing in the magazines and films. [The] “Beast Coast” seems to be gaining a lot of attention lately due to the determination of its surf culture. I can only hope everyone is as proud as I am to be a part of it.

ESM: What other film projects do you have in the works?
TB: Right now, the release of a non-surfing documentary about the Virginia Tech massacre, “Living For 32,” [which has] been shortlisted for an Academy Award. But my amazing wife Jessica, baby Takoda Ray, and surfing [make up] my life. Since Shadows, I’ve been doing commercial work as well as other movie work. Some good friends of mine had an idea. They are photographers so it was really unique. I flipped on the concept. Based on the conversation we had and our equal love for the city, I saw the first five minutes of the opening play out in my head — and boom, the next project was born. It would be along the lines of an artistic action sports movie mixed with a documentary about real New York City pro-level surfers, but I can’t really discuss the details at the moment. We are in talks and looking for funding and sponsorship. I cannot wait to start shooting.

ESM: Finally, is Shadows Of The Same Sun available on DVD so the rest of the surfing world can get hip to just what New York City has to offer?
TB: Yes, at Boarders Surf Shop in Rockaway Beach, Long Beach Surf Shop, Mollusk [in Brooklyn], and Saturdays Surf in Manhattan. You can get it by visiting www.NYNJSurf.com, as well. I’m extremely proud of it — if I could, I’d have a drink with everyone who got it!