Rebellious Randy Dobson (Eric Christian Olsen) and his sensitive younger brother, Skeet (Jeremy Sumpter), spend most of their summer vacation surfing at the beach while their widowed mother, Jessica (Stacy Edwards), works long hours to support the family. Randy grows close with a girl named Samantha (Shelby Fenner) but lands in trouble with a jealous gang leader (Chaka Forman). Jessica's new boyfriend (Mark Harmon) gradually becomes a source of comfort for Randy – and distress for Skeet.