Sarah Lamotte is one of the girls that has been charging the waves of French Polynesia, and she recently directed a 30-minute film about women’s bodyboarding, featuring 9 riders with diverse backgrounds and levels. The project will be released pretty soon, but meanwhile we’ve chat with her about this unique project that has the goal of promoting women’s bodyboarding and highlighting the strength and diversity of the female scene.

Action photos by Kim Mean, Bogus & Lilou Valero 

For those who have never heard of you, please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

Sarah Lamotte: I was born and raised in France, and I’m 32 years old. I moved to Tahiti in 2017 with my twin sister, who was already surfing shortboard. She encouraged me to try bodyboarding, and I immediately fell in love with it, especially with riding barrels. I was quickly drawn to big waves.

I’ve been bodyboarding for about seven years now. I started competing two years ago, and I became Tahiti Champion in 2025. I’m passionate about big wave riding, and sometimes I surf at Teahupo’o during solid swells.

I had a serious accident in August 2024, so since then I’ve become more cautious in the water. I’m now focusing more on improving my maneuvers, even though riding barrels remains my favorite part of the sport.

“I’m passionate about big wave riding, and sometimes I surf at Teahupo’o during solid swells”

What’s the bodyboarding vibe like in Tahiti?

SL: Bodyboarding is very popular and highly respected in Tahiti. There are many world-class waves that are perfectly suited for the sport.

However, there are still not many women in the water. That’s one of the reasons why I’m trying to promote the discipline among women on the island.

You’ve been working on a new girls-only project as the movie director. How would you describe this new project?

The idea for the film came when I invited several international riders to Tahiti for a competition. At first, I thought about making a film about their trip. But then I realized that while there are many bodyboarding videos on YouTube, there are very few films that truly focus on women. I wanted to highlight female riders, their commitment, their courage, and their ability to take on heavy waves.

This project is really about putting women in the spotlight and showing that we belong in powerful surf, too.

“I wanted to highlight female riders, their commitment, their courage, and their ability to take on heavy waves”

 

The movie not only showcases women bodyboarding action, but also captures the essence of 9 different bodyboarders. Who are these women?

SL: The film features short portraits of nine bodyboarders from different backgrounds and skill levels. It explores what bodyboarding means to each of them.

For some, it’s about connecting with nature and themselves. For others, it’s about pushing limits, competing, or improving technically. It was important for me to show a diversity of profiles, to highlight that bodyboarding is accessible to everyone.

  • Chia, from Argentina, now living in Puerto Escondido, is a big wave rider.
  • Vivi, from Chile, is a versatile rider who surfs all types of waves and is focused on improving her technique.
  • Sophie, winner of the Shark Island Challenge 2025, is driven by pushing her limits.
  • Usa, who has been living in Tahiti for a year, is discovering Polynesian waves and developing her big wave surfing.
  • Elodie and Romana surf mainly for enjoyment; for them, bodyboarding is part of their balance and personal fulfillment.
  • Claire has been bodyboarding for two years and is focused on competition and performance.
  • Noéline is a local rider and one of the pioneers of women’s bodyboarding in Tahiti.

“It was important for me to show a diversity of profiles, to highlight that bodyboarding is accessible to everyone”

In your opinion, what is the most tense and exciting part of the movie?

SL: Two parts stand out for me. The first is Usa’s surf trip in the islands, where she explains how, after multiple wipeouts on the reef, she managed to adapt to the wave and ended up riding some of the best barrels of her life.

The second is the section about my accident. It was the hardest part for me to create, and I struggled with it for months during the editing process. But finishing it felt very therapeutic, it helped me close an important chapter of my life.

“(…) sharing real sessions, exploring the island, and experiencing the Polynesian lifestyle together made it unique”

Tahitian waves seem to be the connecting point of the whole project. How important is that for you?

SL: The fact that we all came together in Polynesia was truly special. We already knew each other through social media, but sharing real sessions, exploring the island, and experiencing the Polynesian lifestyle together made it unique.

Showcasing Tahiti, the beauty of its islands, its culture of sharing, and its respect was very important to me. I also want to thank the local community, who have always been welcoming and supportive. All the riders felt genuinely accepted in the water.

“Showcasing Tahiti, the beauty of its islands, its culture of sharing, and its respect was very important to me”

How long did it take you to compile the images, edit them, and get everything ready for release?

SL: This film is my first project, and I had no background in filmmaking, I learned everything on my own. It took me about a year to build the storyline. I also had to adapt to the different periods when the girls were in Tahiti, which explains why some have more footage than others. Overall, the project took about a year to complete.

“I had no background in filmmaking, I learned everything on my own. It took me about a year to build the storyline”

Do you have a release date? Any premieres planned, or will it be released online?

SL: We already held a premiere during an event organized by the Tahiti Bodyboard Association, which was recently created and where I serve as secretary.

I’ve submitted the film to several festivals, and after that, I plan to release it on YouTube. So, stay tuned for more details.

“This project is really about putting women in the spotlight and showing that we belong in powerful surf, too”

Any other future projects you’d like to share?

SL: Well, I would love to organize a women’s bodyboarding competition in Tahiti one day, to give riders from all over the world the opportunity to come together here.

Let’s make it happen, people!