A white squall is a sudden, violent windstorm at sea. It is most dangerous because the dark clouds prevalent in squalls do not appear, so there is almost no warning except for a line of broken water, or white-capped waves. In the early 1960’s, Dr. Christopher B. Sheldon (Jeff Bridges) played ‘skipper’ to a group of eight teenage boys on a summer school sailing trip aboard his ship, “The Albatross”. His wife, Dr. Alice Sheldon (Caroline Goodall) also set sail with them to act as the cook. For eight months, the boys learned how to sail and how to work together, as well as discipline and camaraderie. They enjoy the good times, and struggle through the hard times, but they must band together when a mysterious freak storm appears and threatens their journey; the elusive white squall.