SURF BERLIN

THE QUEST FOR THE LAST GERMAN WAVE

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Surf Berlin is the documentary film about one man’s journey to surf the last wave in Germany. What’s unique about this surf spot, besides its pancake flatness, is the beautiful wave that rolls through once a day when a giant ship passes by the shallow reef. Yet this unique point break is endangered, as the ship that’s been producing the wave for the last 30 years is getting old, and will be replaced in the summer of 2012 with a new one, that will unfortunately create no wave. With no known documentation of this wave being surfed, local Berliner, artist, and filmmaker Ira Mowen (originally from California), has set out on the quest to ride this man-made wave into the annals of surf history.

Trying to surf the wake from a giant ship is not easy. The speed of the ship affects the size and location of the wave. Then there’s the fact that the ship only makes one, and only one wave when it passes by. And with sometimes only one ship-wave a day, it’s almost impossible to catch. Yet the more failed attempts I have under my belt, the closer I’m getting to figuring this elusive wave out. (click on picture to see the close attempts)

Surf Berlin Teaser Trailer

Slowly sliding on some smaller ship surf last sunday at sunrise

With often only one wave a day it’s a difficult one to catch. (Click for more)

Mat surfing in zero degree water (-12°C air). A bit like swimming in a melted slushy.

When it’s too windy to surf I’m in my studio making hand-planes from old skateboards I’ve collected, playing with my dog, drying off my surf gear, or working on the film.

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'Morning' demo

—— By Daniel Merrill

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'Surf Berlin' demo

—— By Daniel Merrill

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I finally caught my first man-made wave! The wave was however a bit too small, and the ride short lived. But today’s small success did however served as good research. After watching the wave curl all the way to the shoreline (see video) I realized that it IS possible to ride this thing a long, long ways. My goal is to have a one minute ride with all my toys: surf-mat, hand-plane, and surfboard. The hunt for the last German wave is still on.

My surf mat made it through customs. Never thought I’d need it in Berlin!

Polaroid from my first attempt at catching the elusive man-made wave near Berlin.

After discovering the mysterious man-made wave, I had the idea to transform an old skateboard into a hand-plane board for surfing. I figured it’s the perfect surf-travel companion. And the great thing about these old boards is that 1; they are flat (perfect for surfing), and 2; the bottom rail guards have kept the original artwork completely in tact. A great way to keep that old-school skate nostalgia feeling yet giving it a new purpose. (Click on the picture to see the final product)

The day I first laid eyes on her; the man-made wave in all of her glory. It was late November, I was filming a christmas video for Coca-Cola just outside of Berlin when this wave suddenly rose up out of nowhere. The perfect barrel. The perfect form. It was almost too good to be true. Before this, I never imagined there could be surf in Germany, let alone near Berlin. I’d say the wave was around shoulder to head-high. And all from a giant boat passing by. Crazy! Funny thing is is that there is only one wave per boat. So, catching this thing could be a challenge. First things first: Find out how often this giant boat passes by and come back with my surfboard.