VIDEO: Local surfers explore the beauty of their sport on film

Friday 20 October 2017

What makes surfers - even the not so experienced ones - get back in the water day in, day out? That is the main question 'Undercurrents', a film currently shooting in Jersey is trying to answer, through the story of five local female surfers.

Filmed by Bronwyn Harvey and Christina Baldwin, 'Undercurrents' aims to link the sport to our mental wellness and everyday life.

The two women met in a surf club when they both lived in landlocked London.

The idea for 'Undercurrents' came from the duo trying to understand why they kept going back in the water. Christina explains: "We both came to the realisation that we have those moments where time stands still. You don’t even realise you’re doing it but you’re catching a wave and suddenly you feel connected to everything all around you. It resets you, if you are feeling, stressed anxious. I have actually have times where I was sick and I have come out feeling revitalised and my batteries were recharged. We started wondering if it was the same experience for other people and that is how it started."

Pictured: Christina Baldwin and Bronwyn Harvey.

Bronwyn and Christina started working on 'Undercurrents' five years ago when they came to Jersey for the first time. They were put in touch with Arlene Maltman, one of the first female British surfing champions and winner of the 1984 British and European Championships, who lives in Jersey.

She introduced them to other local female surfers who became characters in the movie, including childhood friends Phoebe Gould and Kitty Brewer, who both surfed competitively, with Kitty now being in the GB Junior Surf team. Verity Thomas, a stand-up paddle boarder, as well as Natalie Fox, a surf instructor, yoga teacher and active environmentalist, also feature.

'Undercurrent' focusses on mental wellness and how the 'flow' of surfing links to other activities. Christina says: "We are focusing on surfing because it is our tool and we love it but we don’t want it to be just about surfing. It can be anything, other sports or even something creative. Everyone has had those moments, especially as children, and it is about reminding you to be playful.

"We hope it is going to reach people outside of the surfing community, we want it to be expansive. Hopefully people will watch it and think 'I need to go back to climbing or drawing.' We come from a place of being inspired ourselves and we want others to have that opportunity as well."

Video: The trailer for their film.

To explore, "what happens in your brain neurologically," as Bronwyn says, the filmmakers can count on Dr. Tamara Russell, a neuroscientist at the Mindfulness Centre of Excellence in London, who will also appear in the film. Bronwyn explain: "She jumped on board. She is trying to explain what is happening in your brain and how this addiction to surf or any sport is actually making us happy. But we don’t want it to be too sciency so the feminine aspect is quite interesting. Flow is all about intuition and creativity and those are actually in  your right brain and your right brain is known as your feminine brain, so it all kind of links organically."

After the project then remained stagnant, while the duo focused on their own surfing journey, the two have returned to Jersey for ten days of filming. They have been blessed with good weather, waves and surreal lighting, that all made for very good shots. "Hurricane Ophelia has been amazing for us," says Bronwyn.

They have also been able to count on support from locals creatives such as Robbie Dark who shot underwater images for them. The Merton Hotel and Watersplash also offered support by offering discounts and food to the filmmakers. Christina says: "It is always hard to connect with people when you are doing it from afar but since we have been here we have met a lot of great people. It has been amazing!"

Pictured: The eerie glow which puzzled islanders on Monday will appear in the movie.

To pay for specialists sets, water cameras and music for the film, the ladies are still looking for a few extra pennies. So far, they have raised 60% of their £5,130 target. If all goes well the film should be finished by next year and will then go around film festivals in California, Hawaii and Jersey.