The then 16-year-old Israeli would never have thought that stepping onto a board on the small lake that the inhabitants of the Tel Yosef kibbutz use for fishing would take him so far and give him so much. He now knows the big, wide world of windsurfing, but he always enjoys returning to his special hometown, which we learn more about in the film.
Even if it's hard to believe from his ambition and level on the water, Dudu's goal is not to become world champion, but to be a passionate ambassador for windsurfing and the discipline of freestyle in particular. He wants to get more people on the water in general and motivate the next generation of freestylers to take off. Is that where he is heading with this lavishly produced windsurfing documentary that is well worth watching? We had a chat with him.
FREE SPIRIT - The journey of an israeli windsurfer
Dudu, what motivated you to start such a substantial film project?
I've loved watching films my whole life. They inspire me on so many different levels - especially surf and windsurf films. I watch them before my sessions, for example, to get an extra motivational kick or to analyse techniques. It has always been my dream to release a solid windsurfing film myself. If I can motivate someone in the same way that the various films from all over the world inspired me, that would be a huge success for me.
How long did the filming take? And how did you finance the project?
In total, we spent almost a year filming at the various locations, of course always during the best wind season. The insurance company Rosens Insurance from Israel was the main sponsor of the project. A large part of the film takes place in Israel. It was important to me to capture and present the country in all its beauty on film: the nature, the windsurfing conditions, the people... focusing on the beauty, away from the evil and hardships of the daily news.
Is there a very special moment that you remember well?
During the filming in Israel, we had a legendary evening in Tel Aviv with the entire team and some local windsurfers. Unfortunately, we didn't have the camera with us that evening, but it's an evening I'll always remember. We were in the thick of it, everything went smoothly, the forecast looked good - it was just perfect.
What was your favourite location for filming?
I have to say, it was in my home town of Tel Yosef, east of Haifa, in Israel. Inviting filmmaker Julien Bru and his crew to my kibbutz and filming there was something very special. At first, the neighbours didn't even know what was going on here (laughs).
How was the premiere at the cinema?
The cinema premiere was a big goal for Julien and me. Even before we started filming, we agreed that we absolutely wanted to show the film in the cinema in front of a live audience. We simply wanted to create more than just another YouTube clip. In combination with a windsurfing event in Israel, the premiere was a complete success. It was a very special moment full of pride for us.
How would you describe the windsurfing scene in Israel?
I think Israel's windsurfing scene is unique. The feeling among windsurfers here is hard to describe. We are all so strongly connected and receive support wherever we can. For example, I have received two scholarships in recent years that have enabled me to travel to great spots and compete in the World Cup. In the film, we highlight the scene and various spots in Israel to give people an impression.
What are your plans for the future? Can we look forward to more films from you?
I had big plans for this year, but the situation in Israel has unfortunately put a spanner in the works for many of these plans, as I now have to stay in Israel for much longer before I can start travelling again.
But I've been able to draw so much energy from this project that I don't mind so much. Now that I've finished the film, I'm more motivated than ever and I'm going to keep going! I have a few unique, undiscovered spots on the schedule with film maker Adam Sims. So, stay tuned, but for now have fun with "Free Spirit". I hope you like it.
