So, you’re probably here because you just caught a rerun of Blue Crush 2 or stumbled upon it while scrolling through a streaming library. Maybe you remember the original 2002 Kate Bosworth flick and were surprised to see a sequel set in South Africa with an entirely different crew. One of the biggest questions fans usually have is: who is the lead Blue Crush 2 actress, and where did she go?
The movie stars Sasha Jackson as Dana, a California girl who ditches her wealthy life to trek across South Africa and fulfill her late mother's dream of surfing Jeffrey’s Bay. But if you look at the credits, it’s not just about Sasha. You’ve also got Elizabeth Mathis (often called Lizzy Mathis) and the high-energy Sharni Vinson.
Honestly, the "sequel" label is a bit of a stretch. It’s more of a spiritual successor. There’s no Pipe Masters, no Maui, and zero connection to the original characters. Still, the cast had to deal with some pretty intense reality checks while filming.
The Sasha Jackson Era: More Than Just a "Rich Girl" Trope
Sasha Jackson had big shoes to fill. She wasn't just playing a surfer; she was playing a girl trying to outrun a stifling home life. Most people don't realize that Sasha is actually British. Born in Windsor, Berkshire, she had to pull off a convincing American accent while simultaneously convincing the audience she could handle massive swells.
She did her own stunts? Well, mostly.
The production sent the lead cast through a brutal three-week surf "boot camp" before filming even started. We're talking yoga, breathing exercises, and hours in the water every single day. While she had pro-surfer doubles for the really gnarly stuff, Sasha was actually out there in the South African water.
If you’re wondering what happened to her after the film, Sasha has been working steadily. You might have spotted her in Jarhead 3: The Siege or guest-starring on CSI and One Tree Hill. She’s also a competitive swimmer, which probably explains why she didn't look like a total fish out of water during those J-Bay scenes.
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Why Elizabeth Mathis Stole the Show as Pushy
While Dana was the lead, Elizabeth Mathis (who plays Pushy) brought the heart. Pushy is the local South African surfer who befriends Dana and helps her navigate the local scene. For Elizabeth, this was a massive career jump. Before this, she was mostly doing "Hot Girl #2" or "Siren" roles in big-budget movies like Tron: Legacy and Unstoppable.
Elizabeth’s journey for the film was arguably tougher than Sasha’s. She had zero surfing experience before landing the role. None. She had to learn the dialect, the culture, and the board skills all at once.
"I had no surfing skills. They were nonexistent," Elizabeth once admitted in an interview.
She basically lived at the beach for three months. Today, you might know her better as Lizzy Mathis. She’s pivoted quite a bit from acting into the lifestyle and home renovation space. She recently hosted and executive produced Honest Renovations alongside Jessica Alba. It’s a far cry from the shantytowns and surfboards of Blue Crush 2, but she’s clearly found her niche in the "mompreneur" world.
The Rivalry: Sharni Vinson as the Alpha
You can't talk about the Blue Crush 2 actress lineup without mentioning Sharni Vinson. She played Tara, the "villain" or alpha-female of the surf group. If Sharni looked familiar to you in 2011, it’s because she had just come off the lead role in Step Up 3D.
Sharni is an Australian powerhouse. Unlike some of her co-stars, she already had an athletic background that made the physical demands of the role look easy. She’s one of those actresses who is constantly working but often flies under the radar. After Blue Crush 2, she became a bit of a "Scream Queen" in the horror community, specifically for her incredible performance in the cult-hit home invasion movie You're Next. If you haven't seen that one, go watch it—it’s a wild ride and shows a totally different side of her than the beach-bound Tara.
Real Pro Surfers on Set
One thing the movie gets right is the cameos. They didn't just hire actors; they brought in real legends. Keep an eye out for:
- Sally Fitzgibbons: A pro surfing icon.
- Bianca Buitendag: A local South African hero.
- Rosy Hodge: Who actually had a small acting role as Catherine.
Having these women on set changed the vibe. It wasn't just a Hollywood set; it felt like a real surf camp. The actresses often mentioned that the crew would grab boards and hit the waves during lunch breaks. It was that kind of environment.
The Harsh Reality of a Direct-to-Video Sequel
Look, we have to be honest here. Blue Crush 2 didn't exactly win any Oscars. Critics were pretty brutal about the "ugly American" tropes and the somewhat cheesy dialogue. But for a certain generation of girls, these actresses represented something cool: independence, travel, and a sport that—at the time—was still very much a "boys' club" in the media.
The movie was filmed during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The energy in the country was electric, and you can actually see that in some of the background shots. The cast lived in a bubble of surf culture for months, and even if the script was a bit "color-by-numbers," the bond between the women was real.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re a fan of the cast and want to see where they ended up, here’s the best way to catch up with them:
- Watch You’re Next (2011): This is the best way to see Sharni Vinson’s range. She is a legitimate action star in this.
- Check out Honest Renovations: If you want to see what Elizabeth (Lizzy) Mathis is doing now, her show with Jessica Alba on Roku is surprisingly great.
- Follow Sasha Jackson's Indie Work: She’s still active in the indie film circuit and often shares updates on her projects like Shifter.
Instead of just re-watching the movie, look into the pro surfers who appeared in it. Following Sally Fitzgibbons or Rosy Hodge on social media gives you a much better look at what "Blue Crush" life is actually like in the 2020s. The movie might be a bit dated, but the athletes it featured are still dominating the sport.