The Child Surfers of Liberia
In 2019 Liberia was named top tourist destination by travel company Lonely Planet, who described Liberia as ‘ nature reclaiming itself. ’ ( BBC News Africa)
Liberia is Africa’s oldest republic and West Africa's least explored state. Founded as a homeland for freed American slaves, Liberia became Africa’s first independent republic in 1847 and alongside Ethiopia, was one of only two African nations never to be colonised by European powers.
Despite the ravages of its past, its civil wars and 2014 Ebola outbreak, Liberia is officially Ebola-free according to the WHO and slowly opening its doors to the outside world.
Home to one of West Africa's best national parks, Liberia is recommended by LonelyPlanet for its "idyllic beaches, washed by some of West Africa’s best surf", and was also named ‘Most welcoming country for strangers in the world’ by the Charities Aid Foundation.
Neighboured by Sierra Leone, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia borders the Atlantic Ocean and has waves all year round.The seaside town of Robertsport, 80km northwest of Monrovia, is renowned for its surfing breaks and many regard Liberia’s left point breaks as the best in Africa.
I have gotten addicted to surfing, anytime I’m out surfing I take my mind off everything that's happened during the war, all those difficulties in the past. It's where I really found my peace, surfing.
Professional surfers Arthur Bourbon and Damien Castera travelled to Africa in 2018 to make a documentary film about Liberia, after 15 years of civil war, witnessing the history of the country’s first surfing community.
Liberia’s no more child soldiers, Liberia is child surfers right now, we have like 10 years old, 7 years old kids surfing, so now Liberia is like a home for child surfing, not child soldiers anymore.
Credits
Produced by Handstudio.fr, Directed by Arthur Bourbon and Damien Castera, Music by BCUC track "MOYA" from their album EMAKHOSINI. Colourist: Brice Auger
In collaboration with
