Cirrus@Austlit

Set against a polluted summer on Sydney beaches in the late 1980s, the gleaming image of the bronzed Aussie lifesaver is stripped away to reveal the melanoma scars, sea ulcers and beer gut.

Through the eyes of gentle giant Derrick, we join the crew of the Argo as they bump through the rugged waters of surfboat rowing, encountering wild boozers, yobbo pranksters, shipwrecks, giant waves and sea monsters - all in their quest for the fabled gold medal.

Alternatively taunted and ignored by his peers, Derrick, is taken under the wing of the erratic ex-ironman, Jason. But their friendship undergoes irreversible changes as adversity and waves pound the crew; the Argo begins to crack at the seams, and our heroes find themselves sinking into a squabbling sea of physical pain, drugs and sexual obsession.