AGE: I’m 17 at the end of January.
HOMETOWN: Hommersåk, (pronounced ´hommmersock´) in Norway.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP AND WHAT’S IT LIKE THERE?
I grew up in Hommersåk, near the coast in SW Norway, where it often gets windy, but we also get some good waves.
WHERE DO YOU SURF?
I surf a lot year round here where I live, the surfing capital in Norway, Jæren, though I also travel a bit to surf other waves.
HAVE YOU SURFED IN CORNWALL?
I learned to surf in Sennen Cove, actually! We’ve travelled there every year since I was 12 years old and I’ve surfed all the seasons. I´ve also surfed a few other breaks in Cornwall.
DO YOU SURF IN WINTER AND WHAT’S THE SURF LIKE WHERE YOU ARE?
I surf as often as possible, especially in the winter, when the storms hit and we get the fun winter swells. The waves can get really messy, dumpy and windy, though we do get som nice lines rolling in too.
HOW COLD DOES IT GET?
It gets to about 5 degrees celcius in the ocean in the winter, and its often below zero degrees onshore, it can sometimes get to about minus 10-15, though rarely colder than that.
WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT SURFING IN WINTER?
We usually get the best, big swells in the winter! It´s also when it´s more exciting to look for waves and to look at the storms in the winter.
AND THE WORST?
Changing after the surf!! It’s horrible.. Also the wind can get too strong so my board keeps flying around, haha!
WHAT’S YOUR TOP MOTIVATION TIPS TO SURF IN THE COLD?
Have fun, and keep paddling to keep warm and have a really good wetsuit of course.
ARE THERE MANY OTHER WOMEN IN THE LINE UP WHERE YOU ARE?
There are a few junior girls that surf regularly, though no other longboarder that I know. I see a lot taking courses so I hope more will continue. There are more adults, who are very good. I learn a lot surfing and watching them and the men surf.
HOW DO YOU WARM UP POST SURF?
I get in my winter robe and Emu boots as fast as I can and get the last cup of tea out of the flask as quick as possible 🙂 . My parents have just bought a multivan so finally myself and my brother can change inside!
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2016?
Travel as much as possible, surf as much as possible, and compete a lot. I hope to get back to Sennen in the summer or winter, I’m going to do some training in Ericeira in February and hope to do more later during the year. We have the Nordic surf games in February and the Norwegian Nationals in March. I’m also hopeful that I may qualify again for the Junior European and World Championships in the autumn.
