Rob Machado’s The Drifter Returns to La Paloma for 15th Anniversary
Fifteen years after its original release, The Drifter—the influential film by Rob Machado and Taylor Steele—is returning to the big screen. Considered a landmark in the evolution of modern free surfing, the film will be shown at La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas on Friday, July 25, with more dates expected to be announced.
The Drifter captured a turning point in Machado’s life and career, documenting his time in Indonesia after stepping away from competitive surfing. Set in a pre-smartphone era of Bali—less developed and more remote than today—the film offers a deeply personal look at Machado’s transformation from tour competitor to soulful surf wanderer. His hair hadn’t yet reached its iconic mane status, but the journey it documented helped redefine what surfing could mean beyond competition.
The screening event will include live music and storytelling from Machado and Jon Swift. Alongside the film’s return, the Drifter Surf Shop—previously exclusive to Bali—is opening its first location outside of Indonesia, in Encinitas.
Though his post-tour lifestyle may appear carefree, Machado revealed that his exit from the pro circuit was anything but smooth. He learned he’d been dropped from the tour while in Hawaii, missing a key injury wildcard meeting because he was attending the birth of his daughter. That moment hit hard, especially since he had built his life around competitive surfing.
Adding to the difficulty, his longtime sponsor Gotcha folded shortly afterward. It was a time of personal upheaval and uncertainty. However, the tide began to turn when Bob Hurley signed him and encouraged him to simply “go surf.” That new freedom led him to Bali, where filmmaker Taylor Steele invited him to stay—and where The Drifter was ultimately born.
Now, 15 years later, the film returns as a symbol of personal growth, creative freedom, and the soulful core of surfing.