In a recent story about Dakar Dream, the film made by Senegalese locals documenting their own surf scene, they asked who are some of the best surfers coming Dakar. One name kept coming up: Sidy Camara.
In case you haven’t heard of him yet, consider this an introduction, because you’ll certainly be seeing a lot more of him in the future. Following in the footsteps of Cherif Fall, the nine-time Senegalese champion who has carried Senegal onto the international stage, Sidy is on a mission. His new film, Sama Yone / My Way, just premiered at the Board Culture Exposure festival in Biarritz, and offers a new view of African power surfing.
I had the pleasure of meeting Sidy at the premiere of the SunSong film in Encinitas, and was quickly intrigued. Humble but confident, low-key but charming, built strong and with a presence that leaves a lasting impression. You don’t become the surf champion of Senegal without charging. The scene may not be the most well-known, but it’s teeming with talent and drive, and Sidy charges.
The film follows Sidy on a trip through West Africa to strike a mythical wave: a powerful left-hander that may as well be the African Pipeline. It looks beautiful, a wave worth dreaming about but that could destroy you. Hollow and fast, rising from deep water to break over a rocky bottom. Sidy says, “It will humble you, or it will wake you up. But most likely it will humble you.”
Surfing in Senegal came with challenges, like many others, Sidy had limited access to equipment growing up. He started surfing at 11 and largely taught himself. Interestingly enough, he wasn’t one of those surfers immediately noticed for natural talent. Through hard work and relentless determination, he earned his place among the best surfers on the continent and he’s not slowing down. Sidy’s ambition is to become the first Senegalese surfer to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The film comes from French photographer and filmmaker Lisa Coulaud, who has lived in Dakar for six years documenting Senegalese surfing, and co-director Josh Fritsch. Sidy also produced it with Coulaud. Their stated goal was to tell “a different story about surfing in West Africa,” a region they say is “often portrayed through the eyes of surfers from elsewhere.” Clocking in at 22 minutes, Sama Yone blends performance, exploration, and an intimate portrait of an athlete pushing the boundaries of his sport.
Related: Dakar Dream: This New Film Goes Inside Dakar’s Surf Scene, Told by the Surfers Themselves
Original Post from this site