Nasima Akter: From Abandoned Child to Bangladesh’s Pioneering Female Surfer
A young Bangladeshi gentleman’s simple declaration – “She’s the best. I cannot explain to her, but she’s the best” – encapsulates the profound impact of Nasima Akter, a woman defying expectations as Bangladesh’s first female lifeguard and a groundbreaking surfer. Her remarkable story, chronicled in the award-winning documentary “Nasima,” directed by Heather Kessinger, is a testament to resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship.
Nasima Akter’s early life was marked by abandonment. At age seven, she was effectively disowned and forced onto the streets for refusing a life of begging, a fate that likely would have led to far worse circumstances. In a country where societal obstacles are particularly acute for young girls, her future appeared bleak.
Yet, Nasima found solace and opportunity at the beach. She began by selling trinkets to survive, eventually acquiring a surfboard and discovering a passion that would reshape her life. By 14, she had already achieved a significant victory, winning a local surf contest and earning $100 – a sum exceeding most monthly salaries in Bangladesh at the time.
Now approximately 25 years old – her birthdate never officially recorded – Nasima’s journey has been far from easy. She experienced marriage, motherhood, and the trauma of an abusive relationship that forced her to relinquish her surfboard and connection to the ocean. However, she has recently returned to the waves, reigniting her passion for surfing, according to Kessinger.
The path hasn’t been without societal resistance. “Bengali people tell that I’m bad. You know?” Nasima reportedly shared, reflecting the disapproval she faces as a woman challenging traditional norms in the water. Journalist Jaimal Yogis, while reporting for AFAR magazine in 2012 on the burgeoning surf scene in Cox’s Bazar, witnessed this firsthand.
“She was the only girl surfer at the time and enduring all kinds of taunts from some conservative members of the community who believed women shouldn’t swim or surf,” Yogis recalled. “Nasima was also one of the best surfers in the club and she just had a special spark and determination about her.” Yogis’s initial reportage on Nasima ultimately caught the attention of Kessinger, sparking a creative collaboration that brought her story to the screen.
The production of “Nasima” faced numerous challenges, including the disruption of a global pandemic, but the film persevered, ultimately winning Best Documentary at the 2022 Atlanta International Documentary Film Festival. While Nasima’s life remains challenging, she maintains a hopeful outlook, particularly regarding the possibility of establishing an all-girls surf camp in Cox’s Bazar.
Fundraising screenings are currently underway to support this initiative. The film is now available for streaming on TUBI with advertisements, and for rental or purchase on Google Play and YouTube. A screening and Q&A session with the filmmakers is scheduled for August 24 in San Rafael, CA, at the Smith Rafael Film Center.
You can learn more about Nasima’s inspiring journey and explore ways to contribute to her vision by visiting the film’s official website.
