Please select your home edition
Edition
CompareBoatInsurance Leaderboard

Robby Naish - The Longest Wave

by Red Bull 6 Aug 2021 14:38 BST
Robby Naish © Red Bull

Over the course of 40 years, professional waterman, Robby Naish, won over 150 tournament victories and became a 24-time world champion. His purpose in life every day was about competing and being an exceptional athlete.

So now in his fifties, as he figures out what to accomplish next in his life, The Longest Wave documentary sheds light on his career during transition from competing to life after professional sport, a perspective rarely documented.

From award-winning director Joe Berlinger (The Cecil Hotel, Paradise Lost, Brother's Keeper, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster and Crude) the new windsurfing documentary film, The Longest Wave, debuts worldwide on Red Bull TV, a free, On Demand streaming service on 10th August.

Berlinger departs from the true crime drama to dive into a world totally unfamiliar to him. The Longest Wave transcends the action sports category by capturing obstacles outside of the legendary athlete's professional life in an intimate, cinéma-vérité style, revealing Naish balancing the pursuit of excellence at sea with the demands of life's challenges on land, including family, injuries, getting older and the risks of continuing to participate in considerably dangerous sports.

Whilst examining a different subject genre with The Longest Wave, Berlinger does stick to type. Having created film where he delves deep into the psyche of musicians and serial killers, his most recent focus, a competitive and successful athlete, is unsurprising. Choosing interesting, and not necessarily obvious, mainstream characters for each of his documentaries, the award-winning Director manages to capture those extra moments, the deep-rooted personality traits that seem to transcend across his chosen areas of interest, adding sportsman this time to his repertoire.

Common traits across the chosen subjects chosen by Berlinger include attention to detail, a desire to succeed, the need for excitement, ability to keep a clear head and an unrivalled aptitude to manage stress* which he manages to document expertly in his latest film with Naish.

So, is Berlinger following a pattern with his chosen subjects? The documentary The Longest Wave is the next in his series of subjects that have chosen careers offering physical natural highs. Whilst musicians and sportsmen feel the high from audience reaction or participation in a competition, the serial killer's brain also enjoys the natural high when in action.**

Berlinger says, when choosing his subjects, he does so by "Remaining open to the situation that you're filming otherwise you might miss the story."

He continues "I've never worked with a sportsman, but I believe there is so much to a person than the black and white soundbites you see of someone's life, I wanted to show the multiple sides to his story through this film. It is full of raw emotion."

Robby Naish won his first windsurfing world title aged 13 and he has been at the forefront of windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding and more recently foil boarding. Berlinger exposes what happens when a 24-time world champion from Hawaii, who paved the way for new extreme sports, is told to stop. Does the clock stop ticking, and all you have worked for come to an abrupt end? Robby is far from ready for his life to lose the meaning and purpose he's always leaned upon.

The Longest Wave is a film that looks at the man behind the sports he grew, and who has reached what he is told is his last goal, his final title. The film captures the story of the man continuing his quest for brilliance by challenging himself to ride the world's longest wave, yet unexpectedly reveals his vulnerabilities as a businessman, an innovator who is constantly crafting and developing, as a mentor for upcoming talent, and as a father who's been on the road many days of his daughters' lives.

The film premieres August 10 only on Red Bull TV, a free, on demand streaming service available on the web and as an app across devices big and small. Watch the premiere here.

Related Articles

CIC Normandy Channel Race day 3
Another 6 retirements after the entire day in meaty conditions The 16th CIC Normandy Channel Race fleet has spent the entire day navigating meaty conditions. The 25-30 knots of SW'ly wind and heavy seas in the area have made it a real slog to gain access to the Wolf Rock mark. Posted today at 5:26 pm
A Fresh Take on Doublehanded Dinghy Sailing
The Melges 15 delivers high-performance sailing with unmatched accessibility The Melges 15 is redefining what sailors can expect from a modern, doublehanded dinghy. Since its launch, the boat has gained momentum across America and Europe for one simple reason — it delivers high-performance sailing with unmatched accessibility. Posted today at 4:00 pm
Chelmarsh SC visits Dovey SC
Annual weekend away to Aberdyfi Chelmarsh Sailing Club held its annual sailing weekend at Aberdyfi, hosted by Dovey Yacht Club. An event in its 27th year which has become a cherished tradition, offering both racing and camaraderie against the stunning backdrop of the Dyfi estuary. Posted today at 3:03 pm
505s at Hayling
Frankly the top reach required more rugby skills than sailing Ten intrepid teams gazed across Chichester Harbour, under the board-stiff flags flying off the Hayling clubhouse — the wind gods offering early hints of what was in store for the weekend: West-South-Westerly winds at 20-24 knots and a big, steep swell. Posted today at 2:39 pm
RORC Myth of Malham concludes
French mastery and family firepower light up the podium First held in 1958, the Myth of Malham Race has built a rich legacy for more than six decades of offshore racing. The 2025 edition proudly joins the ranks of its most memorable chapters. Posted today at 1:05 pm
Ruffian 23 Ulster Championships
Carrickfergus hosts inaugural event after local fleet resurgence The weekend of 24th - 25th May saw the Inaugural Ruffian 23 Ulster Championships hosted by Carrickfergus Sailing Club. Saturday morning started an overcast day with the wind 15 kts gusting into the late teens/early twenties. Posted today at 12:18 pm
Osprey Scottish and Northern Championship
Hosted by Coniston SC as part of the Toplex / PHG Open Regatta The Osprey Scottish & Northern Champions was hosted by Coniston SC as part of the 2025 Toplex / PHG Coniston Sailing Club Open Regatta on 24th & 25th May 2025. The Ospreys were part of the Fast Handicap fleet of 18 boats. Posted today at 12:07 pm
International sponsor 2025 WLYC 24 Hour Race
The event will take place on 13th-14th September 2025 at Southport Marine Lake West Lancashire Yacht Club (WLYC) is thrilled to announce International yacht paint as the headline sponsor for the 2025 WLYC 24 Hour Race, the UK's premier dinghy sailing endurance event. Posted today at 11:37 am
RYA Scotland's Club Chat update
Dates for the diary and ideas for funding options With lots of sailing and boating activity ramping back up for the warmer months ahead - there's lots to look forward to, including a range of opportunities to keep in mind at your club or organisation. Posted today at 11:00 am
SP80 kiteboat reaches a top speed of over 58 knots
100 km/h barrier is smashed in Leucate The SP80 kiteboat has reached a top speed of over 58 knots, or 108 km/h. This new personal best makes SP80 the second fastest sailboat ever recorded, behind Vestas Sailrocket II and its 68.01-knot top speed. Posted today at 10:04 am