The story that never made it to air
The ancestral canoe Hokule’a is sailing around the world guided by the stars, with no GPS, passing through Noronha in an encounter between Polynesian memory, the Brazilian sea and the urgent call to care for our “Island Planet.” An independent production by Pistilli, Bruno Lemos and Fernanda Amorim.
The call of the series
@YouTube HomemPeixeTV
At IMUA, the Ocean is the teacher, and we are facilitators of the Sea! We dive into the science of phenomenology, into anthroposophy and into ancestral cultures — bringing archetypes, real stories, inspiration and reflection to the dilemmas of life in this modern maelstrom.
“Thirty years of water captured on film — 28 episodes, four documentaries, a whole lifetime of tides.”Canal OFF — the Fishman
Canal OFF · the Fishman series
Henrique Pistilli — the Fishman — sets out on a journey through the world of bodysurfing, reclaiming the most essential way of gliding on waves. Between Noronha, California, Hawaii, Teahupoʻo and Nazaré, the narrative blends adventure, open-water training and reflection on spirituality, presence and courage. The series was produced from 2014 to 2018 by Soul Filmes in partnership with TV Globo. Today, this archive lives on at IMUA.
watch
Pistilli presents bodysurfing as a way of life and therapy, revisits his history in water polo and gathers testimonials from coaches, athletes and partners. Between poetic scenes of Noronha and stories from Rio and Hawaii, he reveals the origin of “the Fishman.”
watch
A meeting with Tim Cunningham, Keith Malloy and Chris Ford in a deep dive into the culture of “Come Hell or High Water.” Conversations about ancestry, ecology and the future of the oceans in La Jolla.
watch
An exploration of California’s most unpredictable wave. Around a bonfire with the locals, rare footage from the ’90s, and a meeting with Fred Simpson, creator of the Viper.
watch
The tradition of the bodysurfing clubs: generations that keep the water culture alive. Sessions at Del Mar and a visit to Garage Handplanes, where boards become functional art.
watch
A return to Hawaii: surfing Pipe alongside Rob Machado and Mark Cunningham, swimming with dolphins in Waimea, and the deep, everyday and spiritual Hawaii.
watch
Meetings with Hawaiian waterpeople, a session with Sunny Garcia, and an immersion in the healing philosophy of Lomi Lomi and Hoʻoponopono.
watch
Preparation for Waimea, and the origin, legend and spirit of the break with historian Ian. An intense session at Pipeline.
watch
Arrival in Maui with the monk-bodysurfer Kailia. Conversations about philosophy and ancestry; it ends with a view of Jaws on the horizon.
watch
An immersion in the birthplace of Hawaiian bodysurfing. Rare stories from Al Santos and how these roots influenced bodyboarding, with Mike Stewart.
watch
A wide-ranging interview with Mike Stewart, the story of swim fins with Andy (DaFiN), and powerful sessions. A rich episode for anyone who loves technique and culture.
watch
One of the deepest episodes: Mark Cunningham, with stories from Tom Carroll and Kelly Slater. “We don’t belong to a country — we belong to the Ocean.”
watch
Lessons from John Clark on Hawaiian language, history and the paipo; a session at Sunset during the Pipe Masters, and the most poetic underwater footage of the season.
watch
Pistilli meets Buffalo Keaulana in Makaha — pure wisdom. He takes part in the Da Hui Backdoor Shootout and experiences traditional Hawaiian tattooing.
watch
Tradition, the historic bodysurf-versus-bodyboard rivalry, handplane craftsmen, and the essence of the sport with Don McCreddie.
watch
The surf clubs, and a striking interview with Nick Carroll about purpose, body memory and the spiritual path of surfing.
watch
The world’s only regular bodysurfing championship, family tradition, and lifeguards who use bodysurfing as training.
watch
Challenging seas, whale-rescue stories, and moments with dolphins and kangaroos.
watch
Ocean culture with Glen Casey and Joel Fitzgerald; the Aloha spirit in Australia and the role of surfing in preservation.
watch
Families surfing together, young waterwomen, Aboriginal ancestry, and a session with the elderly.
watch
Arrival in Tahiti, the first wipeouts at Teahupoʻo, and the revelation: the first person to surf Teahupoʻo was a woman.
watch
Dives with rays and sharks, a symbolic reading of the animals, and solid sessions at Teahupoʻo.
watch
Sessions with friends, brown water and a shallow bottom, and reflections on respect for the forces of nature.
watch
Teahupoʻo, 6 to 8 feet. The group enters the translucent blue wave alone; the technique of gliding underwater like dolphins.
watch
Poema, a waterwoman of Polynesian culture, and Patea, a master in his relationship with whales. Ancestry and a strong feminine presence.
watch
Nui tries bodysurfing; dancer Teriau Timata explains Tiki, dance and cultural preservation.
watch
Final sessions at Teahupoʻo, a beach clean-up, and stories about the origin of Tahitian surfing.
watch
Sessions at Sunset and Waimea, interviews with Burle and Don King. Technical and spiritual preparation for Jaws.
watch
The group joins Don McCreddie and Michael Donohoe. The spiritual human chain and the entry into Jaws — bodysurfers ride this wave for the first time in history.
A complete immersion in the adventure that led Henrique to face Jaws bodysurfing in a special wetsuit for the first time — preparation, fear, spirituality and collective courage.
ASU, one of the most remote archipelagos in Indonesia, where wild waves reveal a new stage in the relationship with the sea and tow-in bodysurfing. The island becomes a laboratory of aquacidade and courage.
A visceral record of the connection with the most intimidating wave in the world — the silence, the scale and the faith it takes to swim near liquid mountains.
“More than experiences, we connect people, leaders and talent who have chosen to live more consciously, authentically and with greater impact. Every immersion is a chance to join the school of fish for a true sea change.”
“Big waves, deep insights — every wave captured became a living memory.”Canal OFF — the Fishman
Deep 2 or 4-day experiences of peace, presence and connection — for those seeking meaningful change and wanting to dive into practices of self-knowledge through water.
Talks, workshops and experiences for teams seeking to tap into the strength of the school of fish and care for health at work.
“Ancestral wisdom, episode by episode.”Canal OFF · the Fishman
Those who have sailed with us
















Simbora?
What the series shows, the Sea School lives in the water, in Noronha. Discover the method behind the episodes — or write directly to the Fishman.