Groovy Classic 2010 – Back to 70’s surfing style

Gerco Kuijt, the winner in action
20-06-2010, International surfing day 2010 was one Day the dutch surfing community will remember for a long time. A nice low pressure in combination with a strong storm from the north was giving Holland waves you would only find in the winter! Besides all the other activities.
After the last year’s event which, because of the lack of waves, only stood out by the excellent laid back 70's atmosphere, this year was totally different! Solid waves combinating with the unique concept of the Groovy Classic (heats of 6 surfers who have to perform on one of the 6 retroboards which were decided by lottery). You could be lucky to perform on an original Lightning Bolt 6.10 single fin or on a Mark Richards twin fin 6.2 for example.
Jord Fortmann, our team rider got some of the highest scores during the competition

It started at 10am when the first surfers were surprised with the sandbanks of Noordwijk holding the heavy swell and producing some overhead waves. The first few heats were a nice spectacle for the audience. A lot of surfers had to get used to paddle and surf this kind of retroboards, but the decent swell didn't provide them with a lot of time for that. The older and more experienced surfers stood out and had no problems at all to surf the classic boards. Tim Hazenoot and Jord Fortmann qualified for the semis with the highest scores of the day. In the finals the tide didn't help the conditions and although the swell dropped with 50%, the winner Gerco Kuijt was considered the best surfer of the day. He was catching so many good waves that one of the surfers in the final only could draw the attention from the jury by taking off his wetsuit and surfed the final totally naked!
The freedom of the Seventies.

Besides the surf competion there was a 70’s quiz, a lottery for a pimped longboard, an election for the best dressed hippie, live music from the 70's and a perfect BBQ like in the old days.
Long live the seventies and long live the Groovy Classic!
The bad weather wasn’t enough to keep the public at home

After one more surfboards lottery
The winner Gerco Kuijt
And after surf, the deserved tasty barbecue
For more photos and results: www.groovyclassic.nl

BUGGERRU SURF TROPHY 2010

We are stoked to announce that Lightning Bolt is the main sponsor of the first event of the Italian surf tour 2010.
The Buggerru Surf Trophy 2010 in Sardegna will be held by Buggerru Surf Club and joins the top 44 on the Mens category and also will have the Womens event.
The waiting period will start today (10-May) and will end on 30 of June.
And now we leave you the more detailed Italian text:
Il Buggerru Surf Club e il partner ufficiale Lightning Bolt, insieme al Comune di Buggerru, Vinci & Campagna e Parco Geominerario, annunciano l'apertura del waiting period del Buggerru Surf Trophy 2010....
A sorpresa per gli atleti top 44 è in palio un montepremi di 2000€, mentre per la categoria open femminile il montepremi è di 500€ in caso di oltre 6 partecipanti, altrimenti verrà portato a 350€.
La gara potrà svolgersi dal 10 maggio al 30 Giugn nelle acque di Buggerru, con una mareggiata da NW.
Durante il contest lo sponsor ufficiale Lightning Bolt metterà a disposizione le proprie tavole per essere testate da iscritti e non.
Organizzatore: Buggerru Surf Club
Main sponsor: Lightning Bolt, Comune di Buggerru, Vinci & Campagna, Parco Geominerario.
Contatti: Ale 3471412800
Alloggi : Lorenzo 3395631141
Pre iscrizioni: buggerrusurfclub@yahoo.com
Facebook Buggerru surf Club: Click here

Bolt Team 2010

 
Top Bottom, left to right: Jord “Flying Dutchman” Fortmann, Txaber Trojaola, Miguel Ximenez, Pedro Soares, David Raimundo, Gege Brasset, Teresa Abraços, Léa Mengual, Alexandre “Madxano” Ferreira, Justin Delanne, Maria Abecasis, João Kopke, Nuande “Pekel” Silva, Hadrien Ballion, Ratus Fari, Pumas, Bruno Rodrigues, Joel “Papu” Pereira.

We are very stoked to present the official Bolt Team for 2010 in Europe.
The main novelties are the first ever team riders in France, Spain and Holland, as the brand is now expanding its business in several European countries.
In France, we welcome Jeremy Brasset, Justin Delanne, Hadrien Ballion and Léa Mengual.
In Spain, from the Basque Country, pro-surfer and WQS athlete Txaber Trojaola is our first ever Spanish surfer.
In Holland, Jord “Flying Dutchman” Fortmann, the surf, longboard and snowboard instructor, but also a great free surfer, will hold the Bolt in the cold Dutch waters.
In Portugal, we highlight Teresa Abraços, national champion in 1996, and now a very respected and admired free surfer. She surfs since 1981 and, nowadays, her main objective is to use surf as a strong environmental keeper, but also to spread the sport in the poor coutries.

Hawaii – More Surf

 Pedro Soares presenting his board in Hawaii – Vertical mode.

The best thing of surfing in Hawaii, is that you always find a great spot even if the wind is bad on most spots. That day we had to go to Puena Point, where they film Lost series and one of the few spots with good conditions.
 Gege Brasset, our french team rider always with beautiful carves.

 David Raimundo, the portuguese team rider was one of the most enthusiastic, when the “surf” was about to begin.

Jord Fortmann directly from the Orange country (Holland) on a very deep bottom turn.

Again Jeremy “Gege” Brasset very concentrated at work


Pedro Soares, the portuguese team rider, showed his best surf in his first trip to Hawaii

 
Jord Fortmann (left) and Nicolas Pinot (right) on the rocks to start again

 
Gege Brasset explaining live how to draw the line

HAPPY NEW YEAR

HAPPY NEW YEAR, BONNE ANNÉE, FELIZ AÑO NUEVO, BUON ANNO,

FELIZ ANO NOVO, GELUKKIG NIEWJAAR, FROHES NEUES JAHR, GOTT NYTT år

Excuse us not to say it in all languages, we couldn’t afford more dictionaries.

Txaber Trojaola, our first spanish team rider

For the first time in its history, Lightning Bolt has a spanish team rider. We are really happy to welcome Txaber to our team. He is one of the best spanish surfers currently running the WQS. He lives in Bakio and his home spot is Mundaka.

Dentro de poco tiempo, haremos la traducción de la noticia para nuestros fans españoles.

Nos perdonen por sólo tenermos la entrevista en ingles.

Name: Txaber Trojaola Renobales

Nickname? Why did you get it? Antonio & Kangurin.

Birthdate? 14-04-86

Hometown? Bakio

Married, Single or Engaged? I have a girlfriend, Nerea.

Pets? 2 dogs, Gatz and Baloo, his child.

Hobbies and other sports? I like a lot of sports: snowboard, playing cards, the film, and spend a lot of time with my girlfriend and my friends

SOME QUESTIONS about his surf:

Favorite Spots near your hometown or Spain? Mundaka

Regular ou Goofy? Goofy

Surfboards? Pukas Boards. My stander board is a 6`0 x 17 7/8 x 2 1/16

How long do you surf? Why did you start it? I started surfing when I was 10 years old. In Bakio, my hometown, together with my friends and my brother, we spend a lot of time in the beach, and so we started surfing..

Coach, do you have one? What’s the importance? Yes, I got a group of people they help me a lot, a long time ago. I really thank them their huge support!!

Favourite Surfers? There are so many good surfers around the world, but I really get impressed with people like Kelly, Taj, Rob Machado, Kalany…

Surftrips already made and planned? I already made many surftrips, and I visited really interesting places I enjoyed a lot. Right now I have some more planned, but I just want to say the places, when those are really confirmed.

Wave Types? I like a lot the rights and the lefts, with one perfect size, between 1,5-2m hollow and with the possibility of making good Manoeuvres too.

Best spot in the world where you’ve been? Ummm..there are many but I think the best ones are Mundaka, Teahupoo, Barra de la cruz and Snappers…

Favourite Manoeuvre? Tube

Biggest wipe out? Well..Mundaka, Meñakoz and a lot more…Some of them I will never forget!

Top 5 results in Competition?

2^nd - WQS 5* 2009 Newquay Inglaterra

17^th - WQS 6* PRIME 2009 Lanzarote

1^st - Open EUROPA INTERCELTICOS 2008 Sopelana

4^th - WQS 1* 2007 Cordoama Portugal

4^th - Junior EUROPA 2* 2004 Ericeira Portugal

Why Competition, the professional career? The level is too high, and you have to try your best all the time and be ready for it. I have a competitive mind too.

Physical Maintenance? Which complementary sports or activities? Sports and training.

The surf and the Environment. Do you take part on any programme for protecting the beach? Yes, I take part in some movements to clean the beaches, when we get the trouble of Prestige petrol ship, I spent time trying to clean it. And I like, I love a lot the nature. Every time it’s possible, I do whatever it takes to preserve the environment.

Advice to whom is starting to surf? You have to enjoy it a lot and be persistent with it. Finally you start progressing and getting new feelings.

Sponsors? Lightning Bolt, Pukas, Arnette, Euskaltel, San Miguel, Manual accessories.

What’s your idea of Lightning Bolt in the surf world? What made you accept our support for 2010? One Of the oldest brands in the surf world. I like the brand and its history is something special. I thank the support and the idea of the brand.

Surf Objectives in 2010? I want to make the European WQS  tour which it is a part of the world tour too, and I would like to get some good results and improve my ranking in competition. Outside competition, I want to make some reports in different places and get some really nice pictures from there too.

SOME QUESTIONS about his Lifestyle:

Conservative or Liberal? Liberal.

As a basque, do you think the Basque Country should be autonomous? Yes, would like.

Do you support the Spanish monarchy? I prefer to talk about waves.

Soccer Team? Atletic de Bilbao and Atxurre from bakio!

Favourite Meal? My mum meals, like lentejas, pasta, rice, fish…Txuleta…bufff i like a lot all kinds of food!!

Alcoholic Drinks? Which Ones? Beer.

Dramas or Comedies? Comedies for sure. I hate the drama.

Movie of your life? Ali, Braveheart, Cadenza Perpetual, and many more.

Favourite Bands or Musics? I like music very much. Normally I hear all kinds of music, but I dislike Opera, Classic Music, Rap and Reggaeton.

Which bars and discos do you recommend in your hometown? Bar 01, Txoberne, Newman's bar and Bar Bakio. Bakio is small, but we have almost 20 bars!!!

Urban Tribes? Hippie, Punk, Fashion, Rasta? I don’t care much..

Are you against gay marriage? Why? NO, I have nothing against gay marriage, and I have nothing against them. I privilege that people can live happy, and I think, not allowing them the marriage is something really bad for them.

Who inspires you? Honest people.

Are you supersticious? Tell us one example. A little bit. Sometimes when things went good, next time, I try to copy and make everything in the same way to make it happen again.

If you could have dinner with anyone famous, who would you choose? Anyone as long it is sincere and modest people.

Watch below Txaber in action. Some highlights from the movie “Mad World”

Jord Fortmann – Our new team rider

We are very glad to announce our first dutch team rider.

Nickname? Jord FARTmann and Flying Dutchman
Birthdate? 07-05-1986
Hometown? Ter Heijde, Holland
Married, Single or Engaged? Girlfriend
Job? Allround sport instructor. Surf, snow and outdoor activities(climbing, hikes, mountain biking, etc)

Jord Fortmann is 23 and he started surfing 10 years ago. He surfs shortboards and longboards, and he is also the manager and surf instructor at Dutchsurfsxperience, located in Ter Heijde (Jamm beach). If you want some surf lessons or to go in a surfcamp in Holland, you must visit their site.

Despite Holland isn’t the perfect surf country, he is developing a great job spreading the sport, and he also travels a lot, to surf different spots. His favourite wave is Nusa Dua in Bali and his quiver includes a 9’6’’Jacobs, a  6’6’’ Russ Short Bonzer and a 5’5’’ Boogie fish.

About his surf:
Favourite Spots, close to your hometown or in Holland? In Holland Ter Heijde, Scheveningen and Hoek van Holland. For better waves France isn't too far away.
Regular ou Goofy? Regular
Surfboards? 5'5' boogie fish (Hydroflex by BUFO); 6'6' Russ Short bonzer shaped by Malcolm Campbell; 9'6'Jacobs noserider; 9' G&S performance longboard and happily I have got a beautiful Lightning Bolt single fin!!
Why did you start it? I found an old board at the sailing club close to my home and started surfing with a friend, after that , I bought my first board and never stopped until now.
Holland is not such a popular surf destination. Can you tell us a bit more about the main surf spots in there? Holland has got a long coastline, mainly beachbreaks, with and without rock jetties that create fun waves when the wind and tide is right. If you are at the right place, at the right time. The main surfspots are Scheveningen and Wijk aan zee both beach breaks protected from wind and current by a harbour wall. These spots are very busy year round with many surf schools in the summer season.
Favourite Surfers? Joel Tudor, Kelly Slater and Tom Curren.
Surftrips already made? Indonesia, Canary islands, Morocco and many spots europe. I'm in Morocco this winter. Also I'll go to Hawaii with Lightning Bolt in January 2010!! Next trip is not sure yet. I would love to work and surf for a while somewhere, where the waves are good. Maybe Australia or South Africa.
Wave Types? I love small longboard waves for the longboard and any other waves up to 8 - 10 ft ,if surfable.
Best spot in the world where you’ve been? Hard one...Gegger reef in Bali or Banana point in Morocco.
Favorite Manoeuvre? Noserides and roundhouse cutbacks
Biggest wipe out? Fuerteventura at age 16, big swell and not much experience, big long wipeouts at rockypoint.
Physical Maintenance? Which complementary sports or activities? Not much, in Holland I drive my bicycle and swim a lot. That keeps me fit in flat spells.
The surf and the Environment. Do you take part on any programme for protecting the beach? At the surf school we organise beach cleanups with the kids and I am member of the Surfrider Foundation.
You are also very good on Longboard. In the future, are you planning to develop more longboard or shortboard? I really love both. I think if I have to choose I would go for the longboard. I definitely want to surf better on the single fins.
Advice to whom is starting to surf? Go for it! Search a quite place to learn the basics, take a surf lesson and enjoy!
Sponsors? No serious sponsors by contract except from Lightning Bolt.
What’s your idea of Lightning Bolt in the surf world? What made you accept our support for 2010? I think the time that Lightningbolt was founded, the world of surf started to grow quickly. To me Lightning Bolt has been very important in the shortboard revolution, the shaping and the world surf tour. I regret not to have lived and surfed in the seventies, and that's why I am really honored to be chosen as a Dutch team rider for Lightning Bolt in 2010.
Surf Objectives in 2010? Surf and travel a lot. I will join the Dutch HSA contests and teach on a freelance base for some surf schools in the summer season. If I've some money I'll travel again!

About the Dutch surf experience:
You are currently managing a surf school in Holland? How did this project born? At age 15 I went (as a friend) to the DSE surfcamp in France. They needed some assistance at the camp and so it all started. Since that summer I worked, surfed and taught many learners the basics of surfing. In the off season I studied to become sport instructor and also got my life saving and surf coach licence in England at the BSA (British surf Association).
Since 2007 the DSE started a surf school at my local beach with me as manager. It went very well for two seasons and after this last season, I got the option to buy the school. I have chosen to have no risks and be free to travel for the coming few years. I'm still a young, eh!?
Beside the surf school, do you promote any other activities? Do you have pupils all year? We did beginner courses and kids on wednesdays and sundays. The season started in May and stopped in October. I arranged government supported surf lessons for primary school kids, and afterschool activities at the beach.
How do you think surf is developing in Holland? Do you think it’s attracting more fans? The sport is certainly growing quickly over the last 5 years. I think the amount of surfers will grow rapidly over the next 5 years, with the help of many surf schools and camps. Also more and more good surfers start to do well on European contests.

About his lifestyle:
Conservative or Liberal? Liberal
Soccer Team? ADO den haag, don't like soccer at all...
Favourite Meal? Salad Chévre
Alcoholic Drinks? Which Ones? Beer
Dramas or Comedies? Both
Movie of your life? Endless summer
Favourite Quote? Enjoy life
Favorite Bands or Musics? Skatalites
Which bars and discos do you recommend in your hometown or current city? Paard van Troye, at The Hague, and Jammbeach, the beach club at my home beach.
Urban Tribes? Hippie, Punk, Fashion, Rasta? Rasta!
Are you against gay marriage? Why? Not at all...
Who inspires you? Many people, can't just tell one name. Family, friends, teachers and legendary surfers.
Are you supersticious? Nope.
If you could have dinner with anyone famous, who would you choose? Eddie Murphy must be fun!

Also he told us what he loves in life:
“I LOVE:
My Girlfriend
To travel
To ride the nose
To laugh loud
To eat a lot
To search and find good waves
To teach
To cook
To surf classic boards
To enjoy life
To feel adrenaline
To listen music
To surf every day”