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Few storytellers capture the raw spirit of surfing quite like Arthur Bourbon’s films. Born and raised in the tropical paradise of Guadeloupe, Bourbon’s connection to the ocean was destined from the start, with both parents being avid surfers. This Caribbean upbringing laid the foundation for a life dedicated to riding waves and telling stories through the lens.
“Most of the good things that happened in my life are thanks to the Ocean,” reflects Bourbon, who later transplanted to France’s Basque Country as a teenager to pursue specialised surf training. The move proved pivotal, establishing his current home base in one of Europe’s most renowned surfing regions.
But it’s Bourbon’s unexpected journey to Liberia that perhaps best exemplifies his unique perspective on surf culture. The spark came from a single photograph shared by friend Damien Castera – a perfect left point break that would lead to an extraordinary documentary project. What they discovered was far more profound than perfect waves: they found a community of young people who had traded weapons from civil war for surfboards, finding healing through the ocean’s rhythm.
This initial voyage resulted in “Water Get No Enemy,” a documentary that cemented Bourbon’s connection with Liberian surfers and led to his involvement in local surf club initiatives. His latest film, “We The Surfers,” continues to explore these themes of community and transformation through surfing.
Bourbon recalls his first day in Robertsport, Liberia, with particular fondness. “I showed up on an empty beach with my board and five kids/young surfers just ran towards me with a couple really old broken surfboards,” he reminisces. “You know, this doesn’t really happen anywhere else nowadays, and it was amazing to witness and experience the pure stoke and generosity of an emerging surfing community.”
Of course, not every moment was picture-perfect. Bourbon laughs while recounting a nerve-wracking arrival at the old Liberian airport, where a missing yellow fever vaccination certificate led to an impromptu vaccination from a small cooler at 2 am in the shed that was serving as the airport terminal. “They’ve got a brand new airport now and I always travel with my certificate close at hand!” he adds with amusement.
Looking ahead, Bourbon is excited about an upcoming project in another West African nation, planned for the summer months. Until then, he’ll be catching waves closer to home in Europe, continuing to bridge the gap between different surfing cultures through his lens.
“We The Surfers” is currently touring with the Ocean Film Festival World Tour in 2025.
