Good Friends & Great Adventures

The Int. OCEAN FILM TOUR Stories Podcast

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Dive into the most exciting stories about the sea. Host Max von Nitzsch meets extraordinary people who live their passion for the oceans: surfers, ice swimmers, sailors, boat lifers, and those who have made protecting our seas their personal mission. Hear about their adventures, dreams, and love for the water—up close and inspiring.

Let these GOOD FRIENDS take you on their GREAT ADVENTURES!

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All episodes

#8 What do you think of when you see 103.67 km/h on a surfboard, Björn Dunkerbeck?

(Episode in German)

When the most successful windsurfer of all time gets his second new hip in his mid-50s... it's definitely time to break his own world speed record once again. In this episode, Björn Dunkerbeck talks about his beginnings in windsurfing, the development of the sport and his personal journey. He talks about how important the support of his family was and still is for him. A story about an impressively straightforward path to the top. And straightforward is important, because as he himself says: if you wobble on the first few meters, you fly fast.

#7 Cleaning rivers, protecting oceans — how everwave is preventing marine pollution

(episode in German)

Some Ocean Lovers already know our guest Clemens Feigl as a presenter on our stages. Today, he is co-founder and CEO of Everwave, a company that develops innovative waste collection boats to clean heavily polluted rivers and recycle the collected waste. In this way, Everwave combats marine pollution at source - before it can even occur. But that's not all: Everwave creates visibility and awareness for the global waste problem, which begins far before the rivers and affects us all.

#6 Around the world on a boat in your early 20s — Learning by Sailing with Blue Horizon

(episode in german)

Mast breakage, orca encounters, untouched Caribbean islands...In this episode, Leonie and Thilo tell how they bought a boat without much sailing experience and set off on a trip around the world. They share emotions ranging from “You never want to live any other way” to “When will it finally stop rocking”. After four and a half years at sea, they look back on incredible adventures. They talk about how they have grown in the face of challenges and why - despite all the adversity - they have no intention of giving up the sails even after selling the boat.

#5 Embracing the cold — Melissa Kegler's ice cold journey to Self-Love

(episode in english)

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Melissa Kegler, who stunned us with her film "Ice Mermaid" in the Int. Ocean Film Tour Vol. 10. Melissa shares her remarkable journey of learning to love her body through the intense yet liberating practice of ice swimming. From overcoming insecurities to finding inner strength, Melissa opens up about how the cold water taught her resilience, acceptance, and self-compassion.

Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of finding our true passion—something that not only brings us joy but also empowers us to accept ourselves exactly as we are. Melissa’s journey encourages us to block out external opinions and find strength in the things we love most.

#4 Turning necessity into sustainability — How Bracenet upcycles a global problem

(episode in german)

In this episode, we talk to Madeleine von Hohenthal, the founder of Bracenet, which uses ghost nets to make sustainable products such as jewelry, dog leashes and even parts for airplane seats. It all started more than 9 years ago, with a simple idea during a vacation on the coast of Zanzibar, when Madeleine and her husband Benjamin discovered a ghost net that had caught countless sea creatures. From this idea, developed at night at the kitchen table alongside their day jobs, a business was born with an important and groundbreaking impact, showing how much individuals can achieve through passion and determination.

The episode encourages and inspires people to take action themselves - to protect our oceans and create a more sustainable future.

#3 Why is the ocean protection personal for you, Peter Hammarstedt?

(episode in english)

In this episode, we're excited to speak with Peter Hammarstedt, Sea Shepherd’s Captain and Director of Campaigns. With over two decades of hands-on experience in marine conservation, Peter opens up about why protecting marine life and tackling illegal fishing are deeply personal missions for him. Now a new father, he reflects on how parenthood has intensified his sense of responsibility for the planet’s future, bringing even more urgency to his efforts. He explains that safeguarding our oceans requires a two-pronged approach: being on the front lines and collaborating with governments to enforce existing laws.

#2 At Home on the Boat — Luca Fröhlingsdorf on life amidst the waves

(episode in german)

Luca Fröhlingsdorf has given up his Berlin apartment for a not-so-permanent residence and now lives on a boat with his dog. Between the minimalist life on deck and big fashion gigs as a photographer in New York, Luca shares how he balances freedom and creativity, how to get into boat life, what it costs to enter the game, and why he finds himself 'repairing from port to port!'

#1 Blind Surfing — What does the wave sound like, Ben Neumann?

(episode in german)

We spoke with Ben about how waves feel and how to push the self-imposed limits in your mind in order to live your dreams—or in Ben's case: to surf. Ben was part of the Int. OCEAN FILM TOUR VOL. 9 with his film NO LIMITS. The fact that he lost his sight at the age of 6 due to a genetic defect hasn’t stopped him from learning how to surf.

Meet Max!

Max von Nitzsch is not just your podcast host but, above all, an ocean lover and passionate surfer himself. Together with his small family, he has fulfilled his dream and moved to the coast of France. From there, he dives into the sea daily and immerses himself in the most exciting stories about water and inspiring people from the International OCEAN FILM TOUR universe.

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Join us on tour!

Do you enjoy the adventures of the GOOD FRIENDS of the Int. OCEAN FILM TOUR? Then you’re sure to love the tour as well!

The Int. OCEAN FILM TOUR is the film event for everyone who loves the sea! 5-7 short films take you on a journey across the world’s oceans, showcasing their beauty, their vital importance to our lives, and the urgent need to protect them.

Each year, new films go on tour to offer you a unique cinema experience. Check it out and get your tickets!

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