Introducing the first addition to the AWBF 2025 Wooden Boat Symposium, Pacific adventurers who have carried out daring journeys on wooden boats.
The Australian Wooden Boat Festival is excited to confirm the first addition to the AWBF 2025 Australian National Maritime Museum Wooden Boat Symposium line-up, with Thor F. Jensen joining festivities for 2025.
Thor Jensen; Documentary filmmaker who circumnavigated PNG in a traditional sailing vessel with local sailors and boatbuilders. Born in 1981, the Danish filmmaker is a world record holding explorer. He captured the 2016-2017 voyage, of the world’s first circumnavigation of the Island of New Guinea in a traditional sailing canoe. Called ‘Sailau‘ the documentary follows Justin John, Sanakoli John and Job Siyae on their adventure.
We recently interviewed Thor about his journey to the Pacific.
Tell us about your journey to the ocean, your upbringing and life and until now?
“I grew up in Copenhagen on a side street to Nyhavn, the old harbour in the centre of the city with the colourful houses and wooden boats that you see on all the tourist adds for Copenhagen. I spent the school holidays sailing the coastal waters with my grandparents in their 34” fibreglass monohull. In my mid twenties I spent two years as a kayak instructor in Venezuela and ended up sailing home to Europe from the Caribbean. After I had produced a couple of sea kayaking films in Denmark I was ready for a bigger challenge.“
How did you find yourself circumnavigating PNG? What inspired you to carry out the journey?
“First time I heard about New Guinea was in an old film from 1953 by Danish Adventurer Jens Bjerre. Back then I was fascinated by the diverse tribes and colourful cultures. But nowadays it still seems like PNG is seen trough a lens of colonial stereotypes. Instead I wanted to tell a contemporary story of the island in collaboration with the locals. And when I saw the beautiful sailing canoes from the Milne Bay Province, known as Sailau, I knew I had to find some sailors that could learn to sail one of those.”
How is the Pacific different to any other part of the world you’ve experienced?
“I undertook the circumnavigation with three Milne Bay master sailors, Job Siyae, and the brothers Justin and Sanakoli John. This gave me a glimpse into their way of seeing the world and their incredible seamanship. A beautiful thing is the culture of reciprocity, you go into a relationship with people by exchanging gifts. I also like that you are defined by your kinship and relations, not your job title.”
What do you look forward to about Hobart, and the AWBF?
“I’m looking forward to Hobart and the Australian Wooden Boat Festival (AWBF) for the chance to connect with fellow boat enthusiasts and adventurers. And not least the amazing lineup of Pacific Islanders that will be visiting. We will be screening our documentary SAILAU, and I’m keen to hear what the audience will think of it. And although I’ve never been to Hobart I’m sure the cold waters will make it feel like home.”
You can see Thor F. Jensen at the Australian National Maritime Museum Wooden Boat Symposium during the AWBF 2025, full line up and schedule to be announced towards the end of the year.
