"Born to Windsurf": Dunkerbeck documentary celebrates premiere on Sylt

Tobias Frauen

· 21.09.2023

Cracking the 100 km/h mark is initially the central motif of "Born to WIndsurf"

But the film shows Björn Dunkerbeck's entire career, and companions such as Robby Naish also have their say.

A special aspect is the family - which was of course also present at the premiere

Afterwards, Björn was surrounded by autograph hunters.

4 Images

Photo: Tobi Frauen

Two hours of breathtaking windsurfing action and insights into the life of a windsurfing legend. At the premiere of "Born to Windsurf", the audience was overwhelmed by the magnificent images and the life story of Björn Dunkerbeck.

100 km/h - that's Björn Dunkerbeck's big goal, and it's the central theme of "Born to Windsurf", the major cinema documentary about the most successful athlete in the sporting world. At the premiere of the film by director Gerald Salmina in Westerland, the audience celebrated the leading actor, who had come with his whole family, before and after the film.

Lüderitz in Namibia plays a special role in the film: On the one hand, the speed canal is the setting for Dunki's pursuit of the record, and on the other, viewers are given insights and perspectives that are otherwise rarely seen. The idyll of the village itself, the barrenness and dreariness of the canal's surroundings - and the merciless conditions captured by Gerald Salmina's team with spectacular drone and slow-motion shots. Anyone who has ever dismissed speed surfing as dull, straightforward riding will have to revise their opinion after watching this film.

Gripping father-son story

But the suspenseful arc of the preparations and working towards the goal of the magical 100 mark is wonderfully complemented in "Born to Windsurf" by the father-son story between Björn and Liam Dunkerbeck. What was originally intended to be a speed documentary is given an exciting, forward-looking twist. "Due to the pandemic, the film was finished two years later, so we had the chance to show Liam's development even further," said Björn after the acclaimed premiere.

The documentary not only shows Björn's career - of course with all the highlights such as the first world championship title, winning the Aloha Classic as the first European, the duel with Robby Naish and many other milestones. No, there is also plenty of footage from Björn's childhood and youth, as well as from Liam's earlier days.

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Old companions have their say

"For me, he is first and foremost my father, and not the windsurfing legend," says Liam. At the same time, Björn tries to pass on his immense experience and help Liam on his way to becoming a windsurfing pro - "he doesn't have to make my mistakes again." A typical father-son story that comes across as warm-hearted as the whole family.

But there are also plenty of companions to talk to, from Robby Naish, Bernd Flessner and Josh Angulo (whose son is good friends with Liam) to Björn's parents and the doctors and therapists who got Björn back in top shape after his hip operation.

So if you can, you should take the opportunity to see "Born to Windsurf" for yourself. Not only because of Björn Dunkerbeck's impressive career, but also because of the outstanding footage from Lüderitz and Pozo and of course the original pictures from Björn's career. A piece of windsurfing history!

Competition: Win tickets for Dunkerbeck documentary!

Together with the distributor Panorama Entertainment, we are giving away 3x2 tickets for a screening of your choice as part of the big cinema tour with Björn Dunkerbeck!