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The Right Wave
You can’t control the waves. But with the right partner, you can be ready for what they bring.
HSBC uses big-wave surfing to show how the right partner can help turn changing conditions into opportunity.
HSBC has launched The Right Wave, a hero film for its global We’re There campaign. Shot in Tahiti, it follows big-wave surfer Matahi Drollet and jet ski driver Tahurai Henry as they take on 25-foot waves at Teahupoʻo. Their partnership shows how preparation, judgement and trust can help people recognise opportunities and move forward, even when conditions are uncertain.
HSBC wanted to bring its global We’re There campaign to life while supporting its ambition to become the world’s most trusted bank. As markets shift, opportunities rarely arrive with perfect timing or complete certainty. The campaign needed to show the value of a partner who understands changing conditions, helps customers see what’s possible and gives them the confidence to act despite uncertainty.
In big-wave surfing, the relationship between the surfer and the jet ski driver is built on trust. The driver reads the conditions, helps the surfer find the right position and stays close when things become difficult. This partnership offered a way to show that progress takes experience, preparation and the ability to make decisions together as circumstances change.
The cinematic hero film takes us into the high-stakes world of big-wave surfing, following Matahi Drollet and Tahurai Henry as they face 25-foot swells at Teahupoʻo, Tahiti. Tahurai reads the shifting conditions and helps Matahi get into position. Neither can control the waves; together, they use their experience and judgement to make the most of the opportunity in front of them.
Their partnership reflects the role HSBC aims to play for its customers: bringing global perspective and experience to help them understand change, weigh their options and move forward with confidence. The film shows how a trusted partner can help people act on opportunities as conditions change.
The hero film is supported by cutdowns across digital, social, streaming and inflight entertainment, with a documentary planned for later this year.
If heavy water and a volatile ocean teaches you one thing, it’s that nobody can take on giant waves alone. You need a partner who helps you navigate the conditions. That's why this was such a powerful metaphor for HSBC. With over 160 years' experience, they know what it takes to realise opportunities in an ever-changing world.
