Philip Banini (left) and Massalley Comney (right) share a joke in the waters off the coast of Robertsport, Liberia. The small seaside community has become popular among surfers, transforming it into an international tourist destination.
Philip Banini (left) and Massalley Comney (right) share a joke in the waters off the coast of Robertsport, Liberia. The small seaside community has become popular among surfers, transforming it into an international tourist destination.
Jason Boswell for CNN
Robertsport is also nurturing homegrown talent. Dozens of locals share the waves -- and surfboards -- every day, riding the reliable left breaks.
Robertsport is also nurturing homegrown talent. Dozens of locals share the waves -- and surfboards -- every day, riding the reliable left breaks.
Jason Boswell for CNN
Surfing was first introduced to Robertsport in 2003 by a group of American tourists, according to Banini, a surfer and local guest house owner.
Surfing was first introduced to Robertsport in 2003 by a group of American tourists, according to Banini, a surfer and local guest house owner.
Jason Boswell for CNN
Robertsport has joined both the country's capital Monrovia and Harper, close to the Ivory Coast border, as the key surfing hubs in Liberia, elevating the West African nation's status as one of the continent's most vibrant surfing communities.
Robertsport has joined both the country's capital Monrovia and Harper, close to the Ivory Coast border, as the key surfing hubs in Liberia, elevating the West African nation's status as one of the continent's most vibrant surfing communities.
Jason Boswell for CNN
Irene George is the only female surfer in Robertsport. Her skills have earned her the nickname "Butterfly," because she moves through the waves like she's flying. Her dreams for the future include opening a school to teach kids how to swim and surf.
Irene George is the only female surfer in Robertsport. Her skills have earned her the nickname "Butterfly," because she moves through the waves like she's flying. Her dreams for the future include opening a school to teach kids how to swim and surf.
Jason Boswell for CNN
Comney, 17, shows off a surfboard. Equipment including boards and wax is donated, either by departing tourists or by Swiss NGO Provide the Slide, and shared between local surfers.
Comney, 17, shows off a surfboard. Equipment including boards and wax is donated, either by departing tourists or by Swiss NGO Provide the Slide, and shared between local surfers.
Jo Munnik for CNN
Liberia's surf culture has come to the attention of Liberian American filmmaker Artina Michelle, who has spent the last four years making the documentary "This Too Is Liberia." It follows the journey of Robertsport's surfers and Liberians' relationship with the ocean.
Liberia's surf culture has come to the attention of Liberian American filmmaker Artina Michelle, who has spent the last four years making the documentary "This Too Is Liberia." It follows the journey of Robertsport's surfers and Liberians' relationship with the ocean.
Jo Munnik for CNN
Oscar Comney, Massalley's older brother and former national surf champion, poses at dusk. Despite shared boards and sometimes broken equipment, the local scene continues to grow, with an annual surf competition having taken place in Robertsport for the past eight years.
Oscar Comney, Massalley's older brother and former national surf champion, poses at dusk. Despite shared boards and sometimes broken equipment, the local scene continues to grow, with an annual surf competition having taken place in Robertsport for the past eight years.
Jason Boswell for CNN
Shown here with some of the community's youth surfers, Canadians Kent Bubbs (left) and Landis Wyatt (right) relocated to Liberia 15 years ago and have become integral to Robertsport's surf culture, setting up its annual competition and establishing surf tourism initiatives to help diversity the local economy.
Shown here with some of the community's youth surfers, Canadians Kent Bubbs (left) and Landis Wyatt (right) relocated to Liberia 15 years ago and have become integral to Robertsport's surf culture, setting up its annual competition and establishing surf tourism initiatives to help diversity the local economy.
courtesy Landis Wyatt/Kent Bubbs