FBI Special Agent Johnny Utah (Keanu Reeves) gets his big break in trying to bust a bank robbery ring when he is asked to infiltrate the suspected group undercover. They are an fringe group, surviving on the bare minimum, worshipping the waves and surfing. Their leader, Bohdi (Patrick Swayze), takes a liking to Johnny but always seems to be suspicious of him. Johnny spends hours learning how to surf to make his way into the gang, which irritates his bosses no end and makes them feel that perhaps he isn't ready for such a big assignment. When it is time for the next bank robery, will Johnny be asked to join in, or left behind for dead? Once he becomes one of them, will Johnny be able to perform his job and make the arrests he must?