Surf Nation

In Hainan, China’s southernmost province, hundreds of athletes as young as 9-years-old train as part of the Chinese National Surf team. The young recruits, who have left their families, feel the pressure of failure. Over the course of two years, the film follows two of the country's top surfers, Alex, 17, and Lolo, 22, as they train, compete, and discover what they want their lives to be.

In Hainan, China’s southernmost province, hundreds of athletes as young as 9-years-old train as part of the Chinese National Surf team. The young recruits, who have left their families, feel the pressure of failure. Over the course of two years, the film follows two of the country's top surfers, Alex, 17, and Lolo, 22, as they train, compete, and discover what they want their lives to be.

In less than a decade, surfing has become a sport in China for both recreation and profession. The country now has a national team and hosts competitions all with its eyes set on the Olympics. How did the Chinese government and a group of international coaches create a program of impressive young athletes in such a short time? Head coach Grant Thomas and assistant coach Matt Clark explain.

Daisy Dong Keying is one of the surfers on China's National Team and she knows that she's in a unique position. The rigorous and competitive program offers opportunities to the members and their families but the physical and mental pressure weighs on them daily as expectations run high and other young Chinese athletes are waiting to take their place.

Head coach Grant Thomas explains what China wants to achieve with its National Surf Team. Through the country's Chinese National Competitions, they seek the best of the best athletes so that China and their surfers can reach the global stage at the World Surf League Championship Tour and International Surfing Association with the ultimate goal being the Olympics.

Deputy coach Moyu Huang of China's National Team talks about young Chinese surfer Dong Wu Shidong. Huang sees Dong as an athlete with potential for championships but also knows of the pressure of making the medal stand. For athletes like Dong, sports is a mental game and winning can become an obstacle.

Lolo Luo Ling opens up about her mental health as an athlete and as a woman. She knows all too well about the pressures; the surfer is one of the more senior members of China's National Team and as a young Chinese woman, Lolo is expected to follow social rules and fulfill familial roles.