The ocean holds a very special place in the heart of many Byron locals.
For more than a few of us, it’s a place of rejuvenation and solace – a place we go to wash away the bad days and soak up the good times when they come.
If you’re one of these salty souls then chances are you’ll enjoy Surviving to Thriving, a remarkable feature documentary by local surf coach and filmmaker Karin Ochsner.
Karin lives with a rare immune condition that makes things that many of us take for granted – like living indoors, wearing normal clothes, and eating regular food – potentially life-threatening.
The healing qualities of the ocean are a big part of what keeps her well and able to lead a rich, full and fulfilling life.
Screening at 6pm on August 16 at Byron Theatre as part of the Byron Bay Surf Festival, Surviving to Thriving tracks her challenges and triumphs as she confronts her deepest fears and past traumas.
This includes having to live outdoors during the 2022 floods, having a heart-pounding interaction with a shark, and being forced to move around to cope with her condition.
It is also a story of healing, documenting Karin’s growing insight and understanding of her health challenges.
‘For me it’s my energiser, a place of cleansing… it’s a place I love so much,’ Karin says of her relationships with the ocean.
‘It’s like a living being for me. It’s cleansing, uplifting, it’s also the source of my work which I feel so grateful for.’
Since premiering in November last year, Surviving to Thriving has won a host of awards, including Best Feature Film at the Toronto Documentary Feature and Short Film Festival, and two gongs at the Impact Docs awards.
‘It was a huge surprise!’ Karin says of the awards. I was like “Really? I can’t believe this!”.
‘It really is a huge tribute to all of the people who worked on the film, like Andy Bowles who made the film with me, but also the many locals, who helped out with the film in so many ways. These awards are for them as much as me.’
Surviving to Thriving is one of a host of events happening as part of this year’s surf festival.
Running from August 15 to 18 the festival has a program packed full of gnarly goodness, including surfing competitions, film screenings, parties, workshops and Q&As.
There will also be the Surf Festival Market at Dening Park on August 17.
For more information and to get tickets, go to byronbaysurffestival.com.au.
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