Suffering from the effects of a hangover, the Optimist (Enn Reitel) watches a windsurfing documentary on television and starts to dream he’s part of the exotic scene. In his fantasy, he meets a beautiful Girl (Sharron Davies) as well as a Rival (David Fletcher) for her affections.
During his misadventures on the beach, in the nightclub and on the surfing board, the Optimist falls in love with the Girl and faces a surfing challenge from his Rival. The outcome is quite a surprise.
ENN REITEL
the optimist
the optimist
SHARRON DAVIES
the girl
the girl
DAVID FLETCHER
the rival
the rival
LEXIE NEAL
the coach
the coach
LIZ WEAVER
SARAH RICHARDS
GARY VAUGHAN McMILLEN
MARK A BROWN
JENNY OKUN
windsurfers
SARAH RICHARDS
GARY VAUGHAN McMILLEN
MARK A BROWN
JENNY OKUN
windsurfers
director
PETER ELLIS
producer
ROBERT SIDAWAY
written by
RICHARD SPARKS
additional material
ENN REITEL
PETER ELLIS
ROBERT SIDAWAY
director of photography
PETER APPLETON
music composed by
DAVID SPEAR
edited by
PETER APPLETON
JOHN DANIELS
executive producer
JOHN BRITTANY
associate producers
FRANCISCO KING
PAUL MADIGAN
assistant camera
STUART ABJORNSEN
technical assistant
ASHLEY SIDAWAY
2nd unit director
RODGER PARKER
2nd unit cameraman
TOM EVANS
2nd unit assistant cameraman
GARY FINLAN
assistant editors
PAUL LYNN
ASHLEY SIDAWAY
make-up
SALLY CHILDS
visual consultant
MICHAEL MINAS
production assistants
CLAIRE APPLETON
MELISSA SCHLEGEL
assistants to producer
EMMA DAWSON
CYRILL BELL
New Century Films production
with Charisma Films
for Channel 4
filmed on location in
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
August 1981
our thanks to
Mistral Windsurfing A.G.
Mazda Cars and Frank Usher
Solmar Hotel and Louis Bulmes