Posted on: Thursday, August 1, 2002

Local girl catches wave into Hollywood spotlight

By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Sanoe Lake, a third-generation surfer from Kaua'i, co-stars in "Blue Crush," opening Aug. 16. Universal Pictures

For Sanoe Lake, co-star of the surf movie "Blue Crush," paddling into 30-foot waves wasn't scary. Hearing director John Stockwell yell "action" for the first time was.

"It's the first scene ever in my life. He yells 'action,' and anxiety and adrenaline are just running through my body," recalls Lake, a third-generation surfer from Kaua'i.

"The words are coming out of my mouth, but I can't even hear what I'm saying. After that, though, it was a done deal and I was alright the rest of the way."

In "Blue Crush," Lake plays Lena, a free-spirited, North Shore-dwelling surfer girl who supports friend Anne Marie (Kate Bosworth) in her quest to conquer Pipeline. It's the first acting role for the 23-year-old amateur surfer and former model.

As a model, Lake has been in Sports Illustrated, Elle and Seventeen. She's also done spot work hosting on MTV and surf shows.

Last week, Lake took part in a publicity junket to publicize "Blue Crush," meeting with a throng of reporters from across the country to talk about the movie. She also took time to talk about her life as a surfer and actress.

• On her character, Lena:

"Originally, Michelle Rodrigues and I were both up for the part of Eden. They wanted a 'name' actress for that role, so it went to Michelle. But they also liked me enough to cast me as Lena. The part didn't have many lines at first, but it kept growing. John Stockwell didn't give me that much direction — he just told me to do my thing.

"Lena is the part of me that wants to be free and have fun. She's also a lot like my best friend — just really funny in her movements and the things that come out of her mouth.

"In the movie, the friends are family to each other. Eden is the coach who pushes Anne Marie. I'm kind of just there loving them, hanging out like, 'Hey, whatever, don't worry.'

"I'm just kind of rolling with life — kind of goofy and upbeat and cracking jokes. I think girls who come see this will be able to identify with one of us."

• On the movie's depiction of North Shore life:

"I thought they did a great job capturing the culture and lifestyle of the North Shore. What you get is real surfers and real surfing. It's such a unique lifestyle out there. There are a lot of people who nickel and dime it just to stay near the ocean. There are some surfers who do well financially, but there are others who don't. You can be a doctor or a lawyer, or you can be unemployed, but out there in the ocean, you're all the same and you have to face the same risks and dangers. That's the beauty of it."

• On being a surfer:

"I moved over from Kaua'i to O'ahu when I was 13. I surfed the North Shore and Waikiki. Wherever the waves were, you'd find me out there.

"I thank God so much that I'm a surfer. I'll be in L.A., watching people coming and going and rushing around, and I can go in the ocean and leave everything behind — just get lost out there, and not worry about all the things that have been plaguing my mind. I am beyond blessed to be a surfer."

• On modeling versus acting:

"I actually stopped modeling several months before I went up for this film because it just wasn't doing it for me. I will still do shoots for Billabong (her sponsor), but as far as modeling, it's really an unfulfilling thing.

"In modeling, your whole value is in what you look like, and it's so external and shallow. As far as what that did to me as a human being, it just didn't make me feel good. I felt like, 'You know, this takes no talent. This is so stupid. I can't do this anymore.'

"I'm really happy I got into (acting). This is fulfilling. You actually have to do something. I'd love to do more acting, but I'm not the kind of girl who will take any project that lands on my desk. I have to really want to do it.

"I haven't taken any acting lessons, but I probably will end up working with a coach if I do another movie. Lena for me was very easy because she's just cracking jokes and being funny, and that's easy for me. If I had to go a little deeper into myself, I may want to work with a coach on drawing those emotions."