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. 
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! 
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! 
For more photos and results: www.groovyclassic.nl
24 Jun 2010
Groovy Classic 2010 – Back to 70’s surfing style
27 May 2010
Groovy Classic – Back to the 70’s surf style
It was such fun last year during that swell-free Sunday in June. Then Lines Surfco and Het Koffiehuis in Noordwijk organized the most happy surfing event of the year!
This year we will rock again! On Sunday, June 20th 2010, the Groovy Classic will take place on the beach at Noordwijk at the surf club (KSN). Bigger than last year and, at least, just as cosy. Together with Lightning Bolt (our 70's surf brand by far) the Poppodium Noordwijk, Lime King, Surf Tech, Indo Board, Paultje BBQ Point, Arjen & Pam (the retro painting team) and many others, we’ll have a spectacular celebration of it.
Central to the retro surf contest, on 70's lookalike surfboards, are the hippies deemed to show what they are worth. The best will win the coveted Groovy Classic trophy. You can register here. Fees for joining are € 15, - and that includes a groovy goodie bag and a BBQ (so almost for free!). See ya at the beach!
After there’s party and music concerts with Los Tikaboys, Bucket Boys and Regulators.
Check the official website of the event for more. Here.
1 Mar 2010
Shops in Europe
Please feel free to ask for further info: info@lightningbolt.eu.com
ONLINE SHOPS
Lightning Bolt: http://www.lightningbolt-usa.com/
Magic Sea Weed: http://magicseaweed.com/
Xooxa: http://www.xooka.nl/lightningbolt.html
Swell: http://www.swell.com/Guys-LIGHTNING-BOLT
Hawaii Surf Shop: http://www.hawaiisurf.com/marques/lightning-bolt/
CANARY ISLANDS
Gran Canária/Las Palmas: Rosso Pompeiano
Gran Canária/Las Palmas: Shackleton Shack's
Fuerteventura: Kings
Lanzarote: La Santa
Tenerife: Naluv
Tenerife: Rippers
FRANCE
Aix en Provence: Ysios
Andernos: Beautiful Day
Anglet: Uncle zaz
Arcachon: Kanibal
Biarritz: More and less
Biarritz: Salt BTZ
Biarritz: Salt BTZ 57
Bordeaux: Mata Hari
Bretignolle Sur Mer: Atlantic Lezard
Cap Ferret : Eclipse
Etang Sale Les Bains: Run Inside
Hossegor: Beneroll's
Hossegor: Tao Surf Shop
Hyères: Mahalo Surf shop
La Ciotat: Manipura
La Couarde Sur Mer: Rêves des Îles
Labenne-Landes: Espace Glisse SB3
Les Sables D'Olonnes: Bahia Surf Shop
Moliets: Maa Surf Shop
Moutiers: Outlet
Paris: Chattanooga
Paris: Hawaii Surf
Paris: Jin Jee Paris
Plomeur: Twenty Nine
Royna: Long Board Shop
Saint Brieux: Silverbay
Saint Jean de Luz: Planete Surf
Saint Jean de Luz: Surfer's
Six Fours: Aloha Six Four
Tarnos: Tiki
Tranche sur mer: Nova Fun
HOLLAND
Amsterdam: Spare Time
Ijmuiden: Hightide Surf Shop
Noordwijk: Infinity Brands
ITALY
Cagliari: Wipe Out
Genova: Centro Surf
Olbia: Downtown
Roma: Banzai
Roma: Wall Ride
PORTUGAL
LIGHTNING BOLT SHOPS
Ericeira: Praça da Republica, 13
Lisboa: C.C. Vasco da Gama, C.C. Alegro
Matosinhos: Mar Shopping
Porto: C.C. Norte Shopping
OTHER SHOPS
Amares: Planeta D
Angra do Heroismo: Quinas
Armação de Pêra: DiveSpot
Aveiro: Xtreme
Bragança: Desportos Morais
Castelo Branco: Espaço Moda
Espinho: Different
Fafe: Radical Sport
Faro: Mor
Funchal: Marcus
Lagoa: Jah-Shaka Surf Shop
Lagos: Ozone
Lagos: Nautipraia
Lamego: Guilherme Sport
Lisboa: El Corte Inglês
Lourinhâ: Natural Break SurfShop
Olhão: Sport Line
Paredes: Body Place
Porto: Me Allegro
Porto Santo: Fushia
Povoa de Varzim: Bikinis & Cª
Povoa de Varzim: J.A. Rocha
Povoa de Varzim: Tutto Sport
Quarteira: Sulsport
S. Pedro do Sul: Carvalhas & Carvalhas
Sagres: Decorsagres
Sagres: Sagres Natura
Seixal: Wicked
Serpa: A Desportiva
Vila Nova de Famalicão: Mauwi
Vila Nova de Famalicão: Pavilhão dos Desportos
Vila Nova de Gaia: El Corte Inglês
SPAIN
Barcelona: California Shop
Barcelona: La General Surfera
Barcelona: Limit
Bilbao: Eurosport
Bilbao: Wakalouca
Blanes: Teknika
Castellon de la Plana: Project
Granada: 540º
La Coruña: Raz
Lekeitio: Dzingua
Madrid: Sportivo
Malaga: Aloha Riders
Palma de Mallorca: Switch People
Palma de Mallorca: Pasatiempos
San Sebastian: Hawaii
San Sebastian: Pukas
Somo: Escuelas de Surf Cantabria
Tarifa: Wet
Vitoria: Glisse Boardshop
UNITED KINGDOM
Newquay: RevolverKingsbridge, Devon: Magic Sea Weed
Plymouth, Devon: Surfing Life
Woolacombe, N Devon: The Bay Surf Shop
East Writtering: Writtering Surf Shop
ST Martin, Jersey: Little Joe's Limited
Newquay: Revolver
17 Dec 2009
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”