Q&A with Adaptive Surf Documentary Director Christina Yianni
Breaks, a documentary following Team England parasurfer Hannah Dines, is currently making its way around the globe on its film festival circuit. With the aim of bringing an awareness of parasurfing to a wider audience, Breaks is a truly insightful look into the competitive adaptive surf community.
Director & Producer: Christina Yianni
Do you remember your first time on a surfboard? Do you remember the first time you stood up on a surfboard?
I first tried surfing in Newquay Cornwall, and I was not a natural! But I loved the sport and kept persevering. The first time I managed to ride some waves was in Barbados and I remember for the brief time you are up there, you feel like you’re gliding, just dancing on the water. Its a strangely calming sensation and there is a sense of connecting to yourself and your environment - then you fall or wipe out and its chaos again.
This is your first documentary, have you always had a passion for filmmaking?
Yes, I made two short fiction dramas previously but I really enjoyed making a doc.
What initially got you interested in adaptive surfing?
I was studying for my Masters in Heathcare Design at RCA and I came across adaptive designers and one in particular who had designed a fit for purpose prosthetic for a lifeguard. I kept researching and came across all these parasurfers online, posting about themselves and I was fascinated with the whole community.
How did you first connect with Hannah?
We connected over zoom. Hannah was one of a number of people I had spoken to when researching and trying to find funding for a short documentary. As you’ll see from the film she has incredible energy, is very intelligent and knowledgeable and is a very professional athlete and writer in her own right.
What was the most surprising thing you learned as you got deeper into the adaptive surf community?
How collaborative adaptive surfing is and how it really puts a new lens on the sport and culture of surfing.
If your film had a blooper reel, what moment would you include?
Oh we had some amazing candid moments off camera that I wish I could have included but weren’t possible. Our youngest contributor Nathaniel Bailey had some amazing fun surf stories from back home, and Marcio Dias gave us some great insights just as my mic battery ran out.
What were some of the biggest challenges in bringing this project together?
The lack of funding really, it really is a grassroots project. Everyone involved pulled together to really make this happen.
You’ve been accepted to quite a few film festivals (congrats!), how does it feel to know your story will reach a wider audience?
I’m really pleased not just for all the collaborators involved who poured their talents into this film but also for every contributor and every platform and organisation trying to get parasurfing into the Paralympics and onto the world map.
What is the biggest takeaway you hope audiences will have after viewing the film?
That this incredible extreme disability sport exists among others and to support it and talk about it and also I feel this film highlights the best side of humanity, what can be achieved when we work together, when we persevere despite obstacles and when we celebrate diversity.
What do you think is the biggest lesson learned from this project?
To be honest what I have heard from veteran filmmakers I look up to, pursue your ideas with passion and determination and somehow get it made, never give up.