SUP'ing the Surfjoint !

Festen startede for alvor om aftenen, men i løbet af dagen var der masser af action på stranden. Naish & Plasma Paddle Battle leverede både underholdning og spænding på stranden. Drengene nede fra Nautic Herning sørgede for, at der var Naish demo boards på stranden som folk kunne prøve. Desværre var forholdene lidt barske for begyndere, men det holdt bestemt ikke folk væk!

SUP with the dog; Hans og Ludvig træner hårdt, så de er klar til Danmarks første "Dog SUP Race..."

Senere på eftermiddagen startede den rigtige battle, hvor der var hård konkurrence. I 4 mands stafet blev det en tæt affære mellem brasilianske team “Wolthers” og team “Klitmøller Locals”. Banen var af den simple slags, hvor man blot skulle padle ud omkring en bøje og så tilbage til startområdet, hvor man så sendte stafetten videre. Forholdene gjorde det midlertidigt lidt mere kompliceret, så de forskellige teams måtte hjælpe deres riders tilbage op ad stranden.

Local charger 69 Slam Jonas Johansen padlede med god stil for det lokale Klitmøller hold

Klitmøllerfolkene kæmpede bragt, men brasilianerne havde kontrol over racet. Det var lige indtil den anden sidste runde, hvor Steen Carstens fra “Klitmøller Locals” udnyttede et lille hul i reglerne og padlede upwind på maven. Jesper Fejerskov kunne så sikre sit hold en smal sejr over team Wolthers, der ellers kæmpede på ægte brasiliansk manér.

Adam, Alexandre og Steen viste høj klasse i kampen om 1. pladsen på Downwind

I den individuelle klasse blev der afholdt en downwind paddle fra Splittergab til NASA klubhus. En god lille distance, der tydeligt ville fremhæve den mest tekniske padler. Starten gik, og de 10 deltagere satte hårdt fra. Hurtigt stod det klart, at vinderen skulle findes mellem Adam Malling, Steen Carstens og Alexandre Wolthers. Det var meget tæt mellem de 3, og det gjaldt om at fange de små dønninger for at ligge sig i spidsen. Hurtigste deltager og første mand på stranden var Sjællandske Adam Malling tæt fulgt af henholdsvis Alexandre Wolthers og Steen Carstens.

Thumbs up to event manager Mike for a great event and keeping it real

Resultater

4 Mands stafet:
1. Klitmøller Locals
2. Team Wolthers
3. Hans’s Team

Downwind paddle
1. Adam Malling
2. Alexandre Wolthers
3. Steen Carstens

Stort tak til arrangørerne, Naish og alle der var med til at gøre det til en god dag på stranden.
Vi ses til næste års event, men allerede til september vil der være mere SUP action ved Cold Hawaii PWA Windsurf Worldcup.
Stay tuned for mere action

Casper Steinfath

While we are waiting in anticipation for the last photos and video footage to come in, the Surfjoint team would like to use the opportunity to thank you all for a fantastic event.

Our deepest thanks and gratitude to our many beautiful volunteers that worked so hard during the entire event and to our many talented artists arriving from all over the country to perform their magic; Thanks to our sponsors for their support and most of all to all of you who came and joined Surfjoint and made the event absolutely unforgettably awesome.

See you all again next year.

PISTOLA rocking Surfjoint 08:

Nazarenes Surfjoint 08:

Universal SoundSystem Feat. Simon Jul

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!

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

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

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.

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.