BS: Can you tell us what sparked the idea of the film and what the real meaning of it is all about and did you have to overcome any personal battles?
AP: The first time I windsurfed in Holland was in a spot no one had heard of, let alone been. It’s easy here where water and wind is everywhere. I visited some friends in their camping and grabbed my gear out of the car for a solo session. While having fun, probably in the most choppy water of Holland, I asked myself where are all the other surfers. It didn’t take to much before I found them in better locations, but still I couldn’t find the really fast guys, the ones who posted daily on www.gps-speedsurfing.com.
I realised quickly that they were looking for perfect locations, away from the crowds, to find the best wind and the flattest water. As a result the step to call them Ghosts of Speed was an easy one and the idea of the movie started to take place in my mind.

BS: You were quick to tell us that there was a team behind the film, what were the roles and how much did you have to play in it?
AP: The team was amazing to support me and to make this movie possible. They worked with me all the time, helping to get in contact with the speed team and the sponsors. A huge thank you guys, without your support this project would not have been possible. They are all listed in our website http://www.gosmovie.com/people. I’m very proud to say that all the contributors to this movie are involved or linked to the windsurf scene!

BS: You don’t seem to have one set star in the film, what are the reasons for this and what are your thoughts on the importance of having a film star?
AP: That was a choice from all of us. In Holland the speedsurfers are organised as a Speed Team and when you look at them on the beach, there are no stars. I always see friendships and sharing of skills. The choice we made was to show this reality also in the movie, because I’m sure that it’s this peculiarity which made windsurfing such a big sport here in the Nederlands. It was a big lesson also for me.

BS: The film was a great undertaking and there has been a lot of media about it, can you tell us more on the support and backing received and will we see the Ghosts of Speed return to our screens in the future?
AP: At the beginning of the project we wanted to make a short movie to post across the social media scene, 10/15 minutes maximum but with the help of Luc Salomons and Jan Hendrik de Bruin, friends and speedsurfers, we obtained a small budget. They brought together the main windsurfing brands and surfshops in Holland and then the sponsors accepted to be part of a brand independent movie, so we decided to make it bigger. The media coverage was also amazing, a lot of magazines contacted us to receive news about the movie and we want to thank all of you!
With the sponsors we barely pay the “out of pocket” cost, not really the best deal after one year of full-time work but it was a great experience and a passionate win on the marketing. All together we made it possible. Of course, now the film is for sale and we hope to receive a big support from the windsurfers.

About the next project we’ll see, there is still a lot to say about this discipline from all around the planet but the budgets required are important. The door has been opened and our passion is enormous…!