Museum of Science and Industry

SURF THE OCEAN WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY, CHICAGO’S LATEST OMNIMAX® ADDITION, ULTIMATE WAVE TAHITI

World Champion Surfer Kelly Slater gives viewers the ride of their life in a large-scale documentary film, now playing at MSI

Chicago (March 19, 2010)—The only opportunity to catch a wave in Chicago is now at the Museum of Science and Industry.  Ultimate Wave Tahiti, recently added to the line up at the MSI’s Omnimax^®—the city’s only five-story, domed, wrap-around theater—immerses Museum guests inside the power and speed of surfing and gives viewers the sensation of riding some of nature’s most extreme ocean waves in a visually stimulating experience for all ages.

The film features Kelly Slater, nine-time world surfing champion, and Raimana Van Bastolaer, a Tahitian surfing legend.  In a quest to ride the most commanding waves in Tahiti’s famed surf site, Teahupo’o, the two surfing prodigies demonstrate not only their natural athleticism but also the science behind the sport—educating the viewer on the forces of nature that create these tremendous ocean breakers. 

In a series of multiple angles and views, witness the raw force of such surfing conditions.  Generated by storm cells intruding upon the shallow reef, discover the speed, structure, volume and mass behind the creation of one of nature’s most powerful forces as millions of pounds of Pacific rumble past.  The power from these ocean storms becomes further concentrated at the sea bottom; resulting in the creation of the very waves Slater and Bastolaer hope to catch. 

Tahiti, an island located in the South Pacific, is more than just a beautiful setting for the film but the perfect classroom environment for understanding the specifics of a wave’s development and energy.  Only eight hours from the West Coast, and in the same time zone as Hawaii, Tahiti enthralls the audience not only through oceanic images but also with commanding views of picturesque landscapes and unique Polynesian customs.

Director Stephen Low has created some of the most popular and critically acclaimed large format documentary films.  Through advance IMAX® film technology, Low and his production crew capture the breathtaking beauty of Tahiti’s pristine coastline using real animated waves and advance computer animation.  In all, Low has directed 15 large-format films. The Ultimate Wave Tahiti is the latest collaboration between the Stephen Low Company and K2 Communications, Inc. and is presented by American Suzuki Motor Corporation with supporting partnerships from Tahiti Tourisme North America and Quiksilver. 

After the film, Museum guests can experiment directly with force and energy by releasing their own waves in a 30-foot wave tank developed specifically for MSI’s recently added permanent exhibit, Science Storms.  Choose the type of wave to create, either a regular ocean wave or tsunami, adjust the wave’s length, height and amplitude, and then release the wave in the tank.  Cameras personalize each guest’s creation by recording and saving images of the triggered wave and the wave’s effect on the shoreline. 

Omnimax^® films are not included in Museum general admission and require an additional timed ticket.  Ultimate Wave Tahiti plays several times daily at MSI through Nov. 4, 2010.  General admission tickets, with the addition of an Omnimax film ticket, are: $23 for adults, $21 for seniors and $16 for kids 3-11.  City of Chicago residents receive a discount as follows: $21 for adults, $19 for seniors and $15 for kids 3-11. Additional ticket and show time information is available at msichicago.org.

Press Materials

• Ultimate Wave Tahiti Press Release (PDF)

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