In Robertsport, a small fishing village on Liberia’s coast, young surfers are rewriting their futures one wave at a time. We The Surfers, a 51-minute documentary by French filmmaker and professional surfer Arthur Bourbon, follows their journey.
Many of these children are the sons and daughters of former child soldiers, carrying the weight of Liberia’s violent past. But in the water, they’ve found something different. Samon dreams of becoming one of Africa’s finest surfers. Faith is among the first young women to surf these waters, defying cultural expectations with every session. Racan, the son of a former child soldier, has found connection and purpose on the waves. Their boards—sometimes wooden, sometimes patched together—represent freedom and self-determination.
“Those young surfers from Robertsport are truly inspiring,” says Arthur Bourbon. “They have almost nothing, yet their love for surfing is immense and pure. Whether it’s on a wooden plank or a broken old board, there’s no excuse to stay on the shore. It’s amazing to see how surfing uplifts the community and how the surf club creates real opportunities for the village’s youth.”
What started as a casual visit to capture West Africa’s emerging surf scene became a five-year project built on trust and friendship. The Robertsport Surf Club, which began with a simple search for surfboards, now offers surf therapy programs for trauma, scholarships, environmental initiatives, gear rentals, and a small restaurant that serves as a community hub. NGOs like Provide The Slide and Canadian Universal Outreach support the club’s work.
“”Water Get No Enemy” inspired our first trip to Liberia and our decision to found Provide The Slide, sending boards to Robertsport and building years of partnership and friendship,” says Chris Klein, co-founder of Provide The Slide. “We’re thrilled to help share this incredible surf community’s story with the world.”
The film is rolling out worldwide: September 29 in the UK, Scandinavia, and other regions; September 30 in the US and Canada; and October 2 in France and Benelux. It’s available on Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and Google Play.
The documentary builds toward Liberia’s 10th National Surfing Competition, where local surfers compete alongside others from West Africa. The event celebrates not just athletic skill but the community’s transformation. Children watch and dream of their own futures in the water. Women see themselves reflected in Faith’s courage. Villagers now understand that the ocean offers healing and opportunity.
We The Surfers has won international recognition, including Best Cinematography at the International Surf Film Festival of Anglet, Best Film at Bilbao Surf Film Festival, Best Surf/Skate Film at San Francisco Frozen Film Festival, Best Film at Portuguese Surf Film Festival, and the USHUAÏA TV Award at FIFAV La Rochelle 2024. But its real achievement is in the details: a child catching their first wave, a young woman standing tall on her board, and a community that now sees its youth as builders of the future rather than products of conflict.
In Robertsport, surfing has become a tool for reclaiming stories and reimagining what’s possible. The waves keep coming, and so does the hope.
