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Sunday, September 10 2006
 Wild Birds - A Windsurf Action Documentary
DVD review by Christopher Curran
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Wild Birds, a brand new DVD by Frank Borghstijn, is a slick, entertaining, and high quality video that should be in every windsurfer’s library.
Labelled a “windsurfing documentary”, Wild Birds features recently shot footage in Maui, Bonaire, Western Australia, and Europe.
The DVD hops back and forth a bit from location to location without losing its visual appeal. This film is full of superbly well-shot action threaded with the odd voice over from Robby Naish or Peter Volwater.
In fact, some excellent archival footage at the beginning of the film shows Robby in a Surf Slalom start in Zandvoort Holland en route to victory. |
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Peter narrates this segment describing his experience as a kid watching this event; freezing and standing knee deep in water and in awe of the level of sailing in the challenging conditions.
This experience was a defining moment for Peter in deciding that he wanted to live the life of a PWA pro like his hero, Robby.
The film then cuts to Peter Volwater sailing perfect waves with Robby Naish performing the voice over and describing the style/character that Peter has developed through years on the tour.
Though this film stands very well on it’s own, Robby and Peter bring a real sense of credibility with their involvement in their narration and sailing in the film.
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Robby, one of the original PWA pros, entered the sport as a kid and won at the world level at a very young age. It’s only fitting that he introduces the new crop of young rippers such as Bjorn and Jurgen Saragoza, Kiri Thode, and others to the film.
It’s clear that Robby still has a ton of passion for the sport and appears just as stoked to see new blood coursing through the veins of windsurfing. |
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Kauli Seadi, one of the sport’s top wave, freestyle and indoor sailors, lends his voice to the indoor segment.
The editing, music choices and cinematography in this film are some of the best I’ve seen in a DVD to date. The usual predictable hardcore music that is so often played with action videos is replaced by some interesting mixed music and visually this segment is both abstractly interesting as well as exciting.
To the eye this segment is pure art. Double loops, pushloops and the latest freestyle tricks get thrown in the faces of the crowd under a spectacular light show.
The filmmakers really capture the surreal feel of the indoor events.
Though many of the pro sailors don’t take this format of competition too seriously, they see the importance of showcasing the sport under a warm, dry roof with an entertaining atmosphere.
The indoor events only seem to be getting better as each year goes by.
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The last segments include more footage from Maui, Bonaire, as well as some drool-worthy Western Australia sailing.
Stand out sailors such as Levi Siver, Jason Polakow, and especially Keith Teboul have a very small section in this film, but manage to showcase the incredible level of sailing going on at Hookipa.
Keith Teboul really should have his own longer segment in more DVDs. His fluid yet radical surfing-style is one of the most interesting to watch.
In the freestyle footage, Taty, Tonky, Kiri and other young rippers sail with such inspired enthusiasm and stoke, it makes you want to drop the remote, get on the water, and hurl yourself into that trick that’s been eluding you with new found energy. |
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Wildbirds stands out amongst many very good videos that have been released over the last year, not so much in general content but by the way it flows. It’s very difficult to edit together a mess of action footage from many sources and manage to attain a cohesive feel. Wildbirds does this with a sense of style and aesthetic not seen in many action videos.
Don’t miss seeing this DVD !
DVD info
Retail price: € 34.90
Film running time: 47 minutes.
Extras running time: 75 minutes.
Extras:
PBA Zandvoort, Holland 1986 PWA Indoor Gent 2006 leftovers / Holland action leftovers / Bonaire action leftovers / Maui action leftovers / Denmark action leftovers / Trailer ‘Wild Birds’ / Teaser ‘Wild Birds’ / Visit Maui – Rick’s Place / Visit Mauritius – Jay’s Place / Additional trailers / Sounds menu: infos on and music of the artist of the Wild Birds DVD.
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Download trailer  here
Order your copy online here
All images (C) copyright by spaako.com
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