Co-blogging (surfjoint.dk):

About a year ago SURFACT stormed the city gates of the sleepy surfing town of Klitmøller an otherwise quiet Wednesday evening and unleashed a ground shaking party machine that lasted all the way until Sunday evening and have kept people talking ever since.

SURFACT is a true Rock Band in its purest and most dedicated form, and their kick-ass performance last year has already earned them a loads of fans within the Danish Surfing Community and was subsequently asked to provide the soundtrack for an upcoming Danish surf movie production.

Just a little while before SURFACT busts down the door of Surfjoint 08, we caught up with the band for a few words, while we all wait in anticipation for their return.

1) First of all a question that is on everyone’s mind: Your debut album “Terrific Downfall” was an overwhelming success placing #1 on MTV’s viewer music chart for 4 weeks in a row, so not surprisingly we are all dying to hear more about your upcoming album. Any hints on what we can to look forward to and when is it planned to be released?

Our new album is set to be released in January 2009 and the first single will hit danish radio stations in october 2008. Our sound has changed a lot since ‘Terrific Downfall’, but it’s still obvious that you are listening to Surfact. The guitar riffs are better, the drums are heavier, and the bass lines are more agressive than ever! And on top of that Jesper’s vocals seem to be on another level! We believe that we’ve found the right sound for Surfact on this album.

2) The music video to your single “Divine” features some great surfing and the lyrics contains passages many surfers can easily relate to. Could you tell us a bit about the background for writing this song and if it in fact is about surfing in a physical sense such as the video could suggest?

Divine is one of our oldest songs, and i think it was written on an interrail trip back in 2003-or 4. The lyrics aren’t intended to be about surfing, but, as in any other song we’ve written, the lyrics are free of interpretation.. The song is about love. If it’s love for a girl, a surfboard or a beer – you decide.

3) During Surfjoint 07 you kicked off the party already 3 days before the event was set to begin and started out with going surfing at 22.00 in almost total darkness only 2 hours and a few crates of beer after your arrival in Klitmøller (you truly won our hearts for that one). Do we dare to ask what we can look forward to from your visit during Surfjoint 08?

Don’t know if we are going surfing again? It was definately one of the toughest things we’ve ever done! Especially when you’re pissed! But if we can borrow some of them rubber suits again – we’re ready! Otherwise we’ll just drink our brains out, and have fun with all the ‘dudes’ after we’ve played.

4) What other delicate treats are on your event calendar for 2008?

For the rest of 2008, we’ll be locked up in our studio! We have a deadline for the album which says Dec. 1st 2008, so we’re kind of in a hurry. We still need to write 2 songs, but we’ve always been best under pressure, so there’s no stress. We can also rely on our producer and partner in crime, Søren Balsner from Carpark North!

5) Finally, do you have some props to the many fans that are waiting with anticipation for your notorious return to Klitten during Surfjoint 08?

Hope you guys are ready for a unique show at Klitten this year! We are psyked, and ready to get out of the studio. we’ll play 7 new tunes for you, so you don’t wanna miss it! Can’t wait to see all you surfers in action as well! Good luck to you!

Co-blogging (surfjoint.dk)

1) Hi King-T. On Thursday you will be flipping vinyl at Surfjoint 08 making sure that crowd is well lead into the reggae groove before Nazarenes take the stage later same evening. Any hints on what you will have in store for us?

My passion for reggae lies primary with the genre of New Roots. New Roots I see as a evolution of Roots Reggae however more up-beat compared to Roots. Some of my favorites include Turbulence, Richie Spice, Chuck Fender, Capleton and Anthony B.

2) At Surfjoint in 05, reggae and dancehall was immediately embraced by the crowd and the genre has been an inseparable part of Surfjoint ever since. What is your opinion on why surfing and reggae seems to mix so well together?

I think reggae and surf goes well together. They are both small movements which defend their rights to be different and free and devote themselves to their passion. The statement of freedom in the music and the act of sliding over the water surfaces on a surfboard I also think is much related to each other.

3: What are you own expectations to Surfjoint 2008?

I have never participated in the event before. But I have been visiting Klitmøller a lot through my childhood. I definitely think that this is the perfect place for a surf festival. The place is laid back and not very touristy which I feel connect well with reggae and surfing.

It is a bit of a dream to be able to perform in Klitmøller, a place that have meant much to be through my childhood.

Thanks for your time mate. We’ll be looking forward for your performance

Co-blogging (surfjoint.dk)

Everyone has to eat and surfers are by far any exception. To make sure that everyone attending Surfjoint 08 are well fed in between long days of wave action, we’ve prepared a delicate consecutive series of Open-Air BBQ sessions to prepare everyone for the long nights of intensive partying.

Wednesday:

Menu: Grilled Mackerel, Sausages, Pasta Salad, Garlic Bread and Home Made Cake

When: 19.00

Where: NASA Clubhouse

Thursday:

Menu: Grilled marinated Flank Steak, Pasta Salad and Home Baked Bread

When: 18.00

Where: Splittergab

Friday

Menu: Flame Grilled Burgers on Home Baked Bread.

When: 17.00-21.00

Where: Café Natsværmeren

Saturday

Menu: Guava Glazzed BBQ Ribs, Teriyaki Chicken, Turkey Burgers, Beef Burgers, Sausages, Tandori Salmon, Potato Salad

When: 18.00

Where: Splittergab

Join the Party – check out surfjoint.dk for the final program …

Co-blogging (surfjoint.dk)

Surfjoint 08 is an international event. Surfers from all over northern Europe are during these days preparing to set course for Klitmøller to join the party and after the event, a large proportion of the earnings from Surfjoint will be donated to Medicines sans Frontiers to assist people less fortunate in hot spots in the third world.

But Surfjoint is also a local event meant to introduce and promote surfing to our aspiring youth and to serve as a melting pot inviting local residents and visiting surfers alike to join the party. It is founded and organized by local surfers from Klitmøller and needless to say it would never have existed if it was not for the massive support from the local community and local businesses in the area.

One of these businesses is Revision Limfjord, a local accounting firm based in Thy, which now for the second year in a row is giving us their support.

We caught up with Lars Ballebye Jensen based in the Hanstholm office for a quick chat:

1) Hi Lars. First of all thank you for your company’s support to Surfjoint 08. What made your company decide to support Surfjoint 08?

Being a local myself I know some of the people behind Surfjoint and aside from working very professionally, they also have a passionate drive that blows you away. I am really impressed to see what is currently evolving around the surfing community in Klitmøller. I am proud of what the do and gladly support them.

2) Surfjoint attracts surfers from all over Northern Europe and as far away as Brazil. But Surfjoint is a party for everyone keen on joining us for 4 days of surfing, good food and great music. Do you think that most locals are aware of the fact that Surfjoint is just as much a party for them as for the seasoned surfers?

I dare to believe that the local residents look upon the surfers as a natural part of the local community. So when there is a party in the surfing community, the whole town joins the party.

3) 20 years ago there were from time to time a fair bit of tension between local residents and visiting surfers. But that seems to have improved a lot since then and these days a majority the most skilled surfers are in fact locals and everyone seems to get along much better now. How will you as a local resident describe how the view of surfers has changed the last 10-20 years?

I read an article in the local newspaper the other day about an elderly Klitmøller resident’s look upon the surfers, and I was confirmed in the fact that this is a new era, where surfers nowadays are regarded as a tremendous asset for the local community’s possibilities for increased settlement, education, career and family. How it was 10-20 years ago I have forgotten

4) During Saturday the August 30. There will be a free surf school from 12-17 with the primary focus of introducing surfing to the Danish youth. Do you know if your kids would be interested in joining the surf school this year?

From Stian (ed: one of the head organizers) I know that the surf school for kids has been a huge success. My own kids love all kinds of water activities so they are going to come too.

5) Finally, If you could give us one advice on how to make Surfjoint even better next year, what would that be?

You have a great team that inspires and attracts new resources. Invite them in and continue what you have started, then it will grow big!

Thanks for you time Lars. We will be looking forward for sharing a few cold beers with you in the bar during the event.

Co-blogging (surfjoint.dk)

With the anticipation of spreading the good vibes beyond the beaches of Klitmøller. Surfjoint 08 donates 2/3 of its earnings to charity. For the second year in a row Surfjoint will donate half of this amount to Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF).

But what will the money be used for and will it be enough to make any difference whatsoever? We went out and asked them.

1) In what ways does Medicines Sans Frontiers differ from other foreign aid organizations such as Red Cross and UNICEF?

MSF is first and foremost a private international association providing medical assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict.

We emphasize to help people irrespective of race, religion, creed or political convictions.
Médecins Sans Frontières observes neutrality and impartiality in the name of universal medical ethics and the right to humanitarian assistance and claims full and unhindered freedom in the exercise of its functions.

We work with deceases and in conflict-torn countries that are often neglected by the majority of the media. In many places we are the only international medical organization present. We have more than 30 years of experience of assisting people in war zones or contagious environment.

Doctors, nurses and health sector workers get a monthly salary of approximately 970 Euro when working abroad for MSF.

2) Could you give an example of a project MSF have been evolved in and what was the outcome of your efforts?

Right now MSF has a huge operation going on in the southern part of Ethiopia. Increasing food prices combined with delay of rain have resulted in widespread malnutrition especially among children.

In the past three months MSF has cared for 20,800 patients suffering from severe and acute malnutrition. Most of these patients have been treated in a total of 51 therapeutic programs where they get a medical check-up and leave with weekly rations of therapeutic food. Families are also given food support rations made from corn and soya blended with oil and sugar. Patients with medical complications, such as malaria or pneumonia, are referred to one of six stabilisation centres, where they receive 24-hours medical attention.

3) Last year Surfjoint 07 was able to donate 10.000 DKK to MSF. This is not exactly a huge amount. Does a donation in that magnitude make any difference anywhere whatsoever?

Each and every contribution is important to our work. For 20 DKK (4 $) we can secure clean water for 70 people for a week and 225 DKK (45 $) makes it possible for us to save the life of a child suffering from malnutrition. So, a contribution of 10.000 DKK (2000 $) certainly makes a positive difference in our work.

Furthermore, it is private donations – including private fundraising-initiatives such as Surfjoint – that make it possible for MSF to keep the independence and flexibility that enable us to react quickly and effectively during humanitarian crises.

4) Is there other ways you can contribute to MSF, e.g. through volunteer work?

Yes – volunteers carry out a big part of MSF’s work. For us, it is an important element in keeping our costs low, so we are able to help even more people in need. Office volunteers are working with many different tasks at our office in Copenhagen, while other volunteers are helping out at all our events all over the country. For instance, more then 30 volunteers made up the backbone of our “Face up to indifference”-campaign at this year’s music festival in Roskilde. In that way they contributed in creating more visibility for MSF’s work. On our website (www.msf.dk) you can read more about different ways to support our missions – including voluntary work.

5) What could we expect that the donation from Surfjoint 08 will be used for?

Interventions like the one we have in Ethiopia for the moment are not cheap. We foresee an operational budget of 8.5 million Euro (until the end of November).

But the money from the Surfjoint 08 could also be spent on medicine for the more than 166.000 people we give HIV-treatment, on malaria bed nets or the costs we have with more than 4.000 international postings every year and with more than 22.000 national employees.

For us it is crucial to keep alert and be able to react quickly when new crises arise.

Thank you for your time. We will definitely do our outmost to produce as large donation as possible to help out with you admirable work.

Co-blogging (surfjoint.dk):

Surfers for Cetaceans (S4C) is a global non-profit organization with the aim of mobilizing surfers and ocean crew to support conservation and protection of whales, dolphins and other marine wildlife, to protest whaling and killing of threatened and endangered species, and end the pollution of the marine environment.

As surfers we are ourselves deeply dependent on the quality and health of the ocean around which we bend our lives, and many of us have through surfing witnessed how vulnerable the marine environment is to careless human intervention.

Surfers for Cetaceans are one of the few organizations that do take direct action to make sure that our oceans are kept clean and our pristine marine wildlife are preserved and SURFJOINT 08 is proud to support them.

We caught up with the Australian based public officer, Andy Sibley, one evening at Burleigh Heads Surf Club for a brief interview.

1) So Andy, what made you find it necessary to found an organization with the sole purpose of protecting dolphins and whales and preserving the marine environment?

The organization was originally founded in 2004 by professional free-surfer Dave Rastovich and artist, Howie Cooke. Howie has been a long standing veteran of marine mammal conservation and Dave was inspired when he was saved from a shark attack by a bottlenose dolphin on the north coast of NSW, Australia.

Dave felt that he wanted to give something back and S4C was formed. It gave surfers a chance to unite their energies towards not only whales and dolphins but to give thanks to the marine environment that has provided us with so much fun and excitement throughout our lives.

2) How does S4C differ from other environmental NGOs such as Greenpeace and Sea Shepherd?

Greenpeace and the Sea Shepherd are great organizations and we support their efforts wherever possible. In fact, we are very closely affiliated with the Sea Shepherd and truly respect and admire their courage and conviction towards defending our marine waters. The essence of S4C is really just trying to inspire people to become aware of the importance of the marine environment and the creatures within.
We try to organize peaceful direct action interventions, like the Taiji Bay Surfers Paddle-Out which you can see on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sPa88xRqrU in order to bring the issues faced by dolphins and whales into the mainstream media. We also do a certain amount of work in education, going to local schools and presenting information and short movies to children and we also try and spread the message creatively with music and art, just have fun with it and lead by example.

Most importantly though, we would rather be a small nucleus of people that go out and actually make a difference. We wanted to avoid becoming a huge organization that was more interested in fundraising and branding than the very issues we are speaking out for.

3) Could you tell us about one of your recent projects and what the outcome was of your efforts?

S4C has just returned from a month in Chile which was very inspiring for us. This year the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting was held in Santiago, Chile. A crew of us decided to go a few weeks earlier and make a bit of a surf trip out of it as well. The whole idea snowballed really quickly and we ended up doing a tour of the Chilean coastline, starting at the top in Arica and going down as far as Concepcion before going back up to Santiago for the IWC, meeting local surfers, environmentalists, mayors, indigenous fishermen and women, ministers and anyone else who crossed our path and inspired us along the way.…I think we clocked up over 3500k in just over 3 weeks.

We had a bunch of pro-surfers with us, both free-surfers and wtc competitors which was a great balance. A crew filming a documentary on what we were doing, another crew filming for Billabong, mural artists, musicians, Dave’s wife Hannah who is a professional mermaid model.. the whole thing was crazy! One of the main points we wanted to achieve on the tour was to connect with the Chilean people, especially the surfers, and not only share with them our knowledge but also find out the main environmental problems that they see along Chile’s coastline.

We were really blown away by how passionate the Chileans were about their coastline and about the marine environment. There are so many environmental disasters that have happened in Chile, it was hard to really gauge what it was like there for them, but we learnt heaps and have made some really strong connections. To see more about our tour, you can read our blog site: http://www.chiletour08.com

4) In Northern Europe we are constantly facing ongoing threats to our ocean environment such as pollution, oil spills and overfishing. So many of our surfers will definitely be interested in joining your cause and help secure a pristine ocean environment for ourselves and the next generations. How do you become a member of S4C and where can you find more information about your organization?

To start with, you can check out our website, http://www.surfersforcetaceans.com and have a read of some of the information there. It’s early days for us and we’re receiving a tremendous amount of support from people all over the world, so we’re in the process of re-aligning our focus on how we can achieve maximum positive impact on our coastal and marine environment through this incredible network that is opening up for us. If anyone would like to be on our volunteer’s database or has any information on issues that they wish to get out there on the marine environment in their area, please email me, andy@surfersforcetaceans.com or if you would like to be part of our online petition, please go to http://www.visualpetition.com

Every one of us at S4C are volunteers, so any donations to help us with future campaigns would also be greatly appreciated. People can donate securely through the www.surfersforcetaceans website, or contact me to send money orders or cheques.
I really feel that we as surfers can speak out and have a strong voice in our community. We are on the coast and in the water every chance we get, so we are acutely aware of the pressures that these environments face. Awareness, compassion and communication are three simple words that have helped us gather the momentum to create our organization. At the end of the day, we are really a handful of surfers speaking the truth about issues that are important to us. By uniting our voices globally, we can make a difference.

Thanks for your time mate and best of luck with the work with S4C. Don’t forget to drop by Klitmøller for a few waves and cold beer next time you are in Denmark.

Will do! Good on you guys for creating such a great festival. Keep up the good work

Co-blogging (surfjoint.dk):

This year Surfjoint has joined forces with NSP Soulfiles thereby combining Northern Europe’s biggest surf festival with the currently most well renowned international wave surf competition held in Denmark. During each day of the event, Soulfiles will host competitions in surfing and windsurfing featuring some of the worlds best. – Plenty of surf-action going down each day in between the four nights of intense partying.

The NSP Soulfiles has been a highlight for all north European surfers and windsurfers for 3 years now arisen from the ashes of the Red Bull Soulwave. Unique to this event you will experience locals competing against Pros like Victor Fernandez or Jonas Ceballos. Not something you see on an every day basis. Going against these big names brings out the best out of everyone. Like local hero Lars Petersen said after his double front loop last year: “Man, I didn`t know that I could do this. It was my first attempt after a lot of years, wow.”

Besides the surprises in the Windsurfing Competition it is not clear what is going to happen in the Surf Contest. Is there a chance for anybody to prevail against the dominance of the Brazilians? Will Casper Steinfarth use his daily routine to place high on the podium? These Questions will be answered! The Winners of the Longboarding, Shortboarding and Grom Contests will be rewarded with a brand new NSP or SouthPoint Board. As a message to all girls willing to compete: Do not hesitate to register! It only takes four contestants to set up a heat.

The contest starts on Wednesday the 27 of August with the riders´ registration at the NASA House, Klitmøller. To simplify the planning process please send an e-mail (info@soulfiles.de) in advance and let us know which categories you want to participate in. Attendance fee for the whole event is 45 Euros incurring with the registration and yes, you can compete in more than one discipline.

If you are not in mood to compete but enjoying relaxed sessions on the Danish coastline: The whole NSP, SouthPoint, Simmer and Tekknosport range will be on the beach for a free test ride. All you need is your valid passport as deposit and a wetsuit.

For more info click here

Co-blogging (surfjoint.dk):

“Renslip” is an established coverband that really knows how to rock the crowd. Their song portefolio includes solid hits from famous Danish artists such as Kashmir and Dizzy Mizz Lizzy, which are all delivered to the audience with such skill and perfection that it is very hard to distinguish from the real thing.

If you have a weak spot for good old fashioned rock delivered in a well played no-bullsh*** kind of way, you really got something to look forward to.

Co-blogging (surfjoint.dk)

Ever since their unforgettable marathon debut during Surfjoint 2005, ZULU SOULJAHS has been the musical backbone of every single Surfjoint episode ever since, as well as achieving true cult status among the Danish surfers.

We caught up with half of the talented duo for a quick interview before they kick off Surfjoint 08 with a bang Wednesday August 27.

1) You were there right from the start and have been the essential musical backbone of Surfjoint ever since. How did you experience the gradual evolution of Surfjoint since you flipped the first vinyl back in 2005?

Souljah: The first Surfjoint was an enormous experience that always will be printed into our memory. Back then it was ONLY us, so we were there flipping records for 12 hours non-stop. It was super cool, but also a bit exhausting when looking back.
But later on live bands started joining the events in the following years and that has really elevated Surfjoint extensively since the first year. We get a chance have a break and the audience gets to experience more than just us jumping and dancing on stage – even though we properly would prefer to play all the time hehe 
We are really looking forward for Surfjoint 08 now it’s an entire different setup this year and with a program that spans over 4 days. Lots of cool bands and of course MUCH more time for us to play records. Things are definitely moving in the right direction! It has to be bigger, wilder, louder and then there has to be BASS!

2) Since last years Surfjoint there has also happened a lot to ZULU SOULJAHS. 2007 was the year where you joined forces with UNIVERSAL SOUND and won an impressive 3. Place during the Danish Soundclash Championship in “Den Grå Hal”. How would you describe the evolution that you as a sound system have gone through during last year?

Souljah: Zulu Souljahs as a sound system does not have as long a history as Universal Sound has, so it was clear that we would continue to play under that name. At the same time it has been a natural thing for us to team up. We performed together already a year before we joined forces and it has only contributed positively on all fronts. We each have our own strengths and combined it just reaches a higher level. We are a very strong sound system and we proved that in “den Grå Hal”, and we will continue to do so again and again the next many years. Also at Surfjoint!!!.

3) What has it meant to your musical expression that you now are a part of UNIVERSAL SOUND?

Souljah: The musical expression is more or less unchanged. We have of course become clearly much more experienced during the last year, so our style is now much more uncompromising in its expression. But there is still room for all the humorous and fun loving moments and we have many of those in Universal Sound. The fact that we are now a much bigger Sound naturally means that we also get to do even more jobs and work much more seriously with finding new records and make dubs and mix-tapes. Oh, yeah we are indeed very serious about this.

4) What other delicate treats are on offer from your event calendar for the remaining of 2008?

Souljah: For starters we are going to Silkeborg and blow away Raggapak Reggae Festival, and after that we are going to Iceland to play a few jobs. Then there is Surfjoint and after that we are planning to go on a little mini-tour to southern Europe. And well then there are of course all the other jobs that fill up the calendar home in Copenhagen. Safe to say it’s going to be a busy Autumn – Wicked!

5) There is now less than a month until you pop the lid of Surfjoint 08, but your many fans within the Danish surf community have already being looking forward to hear you fire it up in Klitten again for almost a year now. Is it possible to get a small appetizer of what your performance is going to include this year?

Souljah: Because it is the first time we officially plays as Universal Sound during Surfjoint we will of course play a lot of dub-plates, but bottom line I think people can just expect quite a lot more savageness, more records (if possible) and of course we are going to make Surfjoint 08 the greatest party on Danish soil. And then we are really going to treat the crowd in the days leading up to the big Saturday party, were we will be cranking it up to the max. We are having an awesome time in Universal Sound so it is pretty certain it’s going to be awesome . And then I think it is about time we clean out among some of Zulu Souljah’s vinyls. So don’t be surprised if there will be a pile of Zulu Souljah’s Special 10’’ vinyls on stake in the competitions this year.

6) Finally, do you have some props to the many fans that are waiting with anticipation for your return to Klitten to hit the gas pedal during Surfjoint 08

Souljah: We are REALLY looking forward for this year, and are looking forward to see some of the old Surfjoint faces again. This time we have more time to play for the crowd, so fingers crossed, people haven’t got sick of reggae since last year…he..he. No seriously we don’t think you can get tired of that.

And then Universal Soundsystem ALWAYS sends props to Natasja (R.I.P.) Big Up!

On behalf of the Surfjoint Team we can only say that we are not sick of raggae at all and are looking so much forward for experiencing you drop the bomb in Klitten again along with the rest of the UNIVERSAL crew.