von NOMB Surf | Jan. 16, 2018 | NATURE, OCEAN
Floating in the open ocean, watching the sun slowly set right next to you, touching the surface of the water. Listening to the breaking waves and feeling the energy of this magical hour. Who doesn´t love this feeling?? Moments like these make you feel that there is no evil in the world, noone or nothing can be harmed, you feel in peace with yourself and mother nature around you.
Look at this magical sunset we experienced on the westcoast of Galicia. Breathtaking, right?
We as surfers spend a large amount of our lives in the ocean. The rest of our time is probably divided by our job (maybe even outdoors) and spending time with our family and loved ones. Most of you know how easily surfing becomes a way of life, and how lucky those of us can be who live a life filled with loads of surftime. Being in touch with nature is a great thing. Nature in general teaches us a lot: it makes us more aware of smells, colours and changes. Being aware is the keyword.
So what responsibilities do we as surfers have towards mother nature?? Only loving and appreciating her? Protecting her? Or even fighting for her?? We here at NOMB Surf have spend many, many hours talking, discussing and crying about the environmental problems of our planet. And we all agree that it is up to all of us to help our planet and oceans. At NOMB Surf we do our little bit by making our surfcoaching trips as sustainable as possible. This includes educating on both ends, helping the local communities, only working with partners who share our believes, cleaning beaches, supporting environmental NGOs and generally being aware of what is going on around us.
That´s the NOMB Surfcrew on our first surftrip to Chile helping clean the beautiful beach of Buchupureo, an incredible pointbreak in the south of the country. The local environmental group ´TODOS SOMOS COBQUECURA´ is trying to defend their coastline against the pollution and installation of a salmon factory. It´s a long battle against the regional and national governments but the local chilean community is tough and stands up for their ocean. Heroes!
So what else can we do?? Again, awareness seems to be a good starting point. How can I minimize my environmental footprint? And can we, as individual surfers, really make a difference? The answer is YES! Here are a few ideas on how to help mother nature:
- Reduce your plastic consumption in everyday life and start looking for alternatives
- Pick up trash, wherever you go!
- Recycle & reuse! Even your old wetsuit or surfboard might be of use for someone else. Check charities like POSITIVE VIBE WARRIORS
- Get involved! Local beach, park or river clean-ups. Check with your local government for events close to you
- Keep up with the surfindusty news about alternative and more sustainable products
Small example, have you ever thought about the fact that the sunscreen you use while surfing will eventually end up in the ocean and pollute?? There are sooo many great environmental friendly options out there, find one that fits your needs. We here at NOMB Surf have teamed up with the great crew from SUNTRIBE SUNSCREEN. A bunch of young Swedish surfers who were looking for an environmental friendly zinc sunscreen. We have tested Suntribes Eco Sportsface Zink in the sunny Canary Island conditions, our verdict: EXCELLENT!
You still think that being ecological is a bit odd and a hippy thing?? Come on, wake up! We don´t need to tell you that climate change is happening, our planet shows us by screaming out every single day. Even though governments want to ignore it (for whatever reasons that might be) we should not close our eyes and keep ignoring the fact that it is up to every single one of us to make a positive change.
You still think that being ecological means being odd, alternative and annoying? Well, there might be a bit of a trendy movement going on right now, with a few people exaggerating but the essence is the same. For example, have you thought about what you wear? Where your clothes are coming from? What they are made off? Once you have a look around you will be surprise how many locally produced products are available. Take the CLEAN OCEAN PROJECT for example. A small company located on Fuerteventura, one of the Canary Islands. Not only do they fight ocean pollution and raise awareness, they offer really cool clothes made in Spain. Check out their webite www.cleanoceanproject.org!
Taking about using alternative and organic materials. How about hemp for example? Take a loot at HEMP AGE, a German fair trade company which is using hemp and organic cotton to create comfortable and stylish clothing.
Still not convinced that ecological clothing can look great?? Than check out our Lovely Linda wearing a JOSEA Bikini made out of recycled fishing nets, produced locally in Germany. Would you have guessed?? On their website www.josea-surfwear.com you can find a wide range of bikini styles and even yoga gear.
These are only a few examples on how to help our environment, and our oceans. Every single one of us, especially us surfers, decides to which extend he/she likes to get involved. The options are endless.
Ever heard of SAVE THE WAVES, SURFRIDER FOUNDATION oder SURFERS AGAINST SEWAGE?? Just to name a few great organizations who fight for our oceans. Even if it might seem like the most boring option of getting involved, donating to the right charity will make a difference.
Or maybe even support individual campaigns. On Kickstarter or Crowdfunding you can find very cool projects and help them become reality. Let us introduce you to one that we here at NOMB Surf back, and hope that it will become alive: 100 DAYS OF OCEAN – Heroes of the sea! ´A documentary project about the problems of our oceans and the positive impact of those people who could be our guiding lights on our way to solve them.´ We are stoked to see people getting involved and would love to follow their stories. The Kickstarter campaign for 100 DAYS OF OCEAN will only run until the end of February 2018, please donate if you too want to learn more about the heroes of the sea!
NOMB Surf represents NATURE – OCEAN – MIND – BODY. We believe that in order to live (and surf) happily & healthy these four pillars have to be in balance. While our minds and bodies are our personal treasures, nature and the oceans need our help and are part of our responsibilities as surfers.
We would be stoked if this blog makes some of you think about your own awareness and engagement, and gives you positive ideas about how to get more involved in the conservation of mother nature. We are looking forward to your feedback and ideas, please get in touch.
Sea you in the water soon!
Your NOMB Surfteam
von NOMB Surf | Jan. 8, 2018 | BODY, MIND, NATURE, OCEAN
Ever wondered what happens on a typical NOMB Surftrip day? Apart from surfing and laughing, let us tell you, there is loooods of other stuff going on, too.
We have put together a little trip ´diary´, a mix of past trips, to give you an idea of what´s going on. You like what you read? We would be happy to have you on board a NOMB Surfcoaching Trip!
Let´s start the day. First off all, its breakfast time. The most important meal of the day. We always start with a power brekkie, full of oats, dried fruits, fresh fruits and a fresh juice or smoothy. That´s the basic. In addition we are spoiled every day with another second course. Maybe pancakes, maybe eggs, maybe a crazy cake, our chef keeps surprising us. This is what a breakfast looks like on our surfholiday trip to Ireland:
After breakfast we check the surf & weather forecasts and head surfcoach Angie briefes the NOMB Surfers on the actions of the day. When conditions allow we head straight to the beach, meeting up with our local surfcoach and enjoying the first waves of the day. Surfcoach Angie likes to use photo&video analysis, to improve everyones surflevel right from the start. There is another surfcoach in the water, for safety and to direct the students right to the peak.
At the beginning of each trip Angie sits down with each participant, one by one, and outlines some reachable goals for the time of the trip. NOMB Surfcoaching trips are designed to surf of course but more important to improve your level of surfing and your understanding for the ocean. Our perceptions in the water are always different from reality. If you see what you are actually doing, you will improve a lot quicker. Photo analysis is a great tool, don´t you think??
Apart from surfing we do heaps of other cool stuff. Yoga for example. It´s great for stretching our tired muscles. And also helps us getting our breathing right. Did you know that most people breath way too shallow in their normal lifes?? Yoga teaches you how to provide your body with oxygen, and how to find your own balance. And I am not only talking about the standing-on-one-food-yogatree-balance 🙂 It strenghens your muscles and improves your flexibility, too. All this, and heaps of other reasons, for us to always have yoga lessons on offer on our surftrips. Hands up who hasn´t dreamed of a yoga session on the beach, listening to the breaking waves..
What else do we do all day long?? Well, sometimes we surf more, and more, and a little bit more.. Or we go out discovering the region where we are staying.. Or we chill in the backyard.. Or we watch waves and wish our muscles wouldn´t hurt so much.. Every day we have a surftheory session going, depending on the interest of the group, and on what our surfcoaches think would be great knowledge for the group.. Sometimes we have BBQs on the beach.. Sometimes we drink red wine under the stars in the desert… A lot of times we go out of our comfortzone, and our surfing abilities grow, and we personally… At the end of the day we are always worn out but with a smile on our faces.. Every night we go to sleep excited about what might happen the next day…
But every, really every day, we laugh so much that it hurts sometimes, and we appreciate the great company, the place where we are and how lucky we are to be surfing every day!! That´s why we can proudly say that with NOMB Surf, every trip is a trip!! The smiles speak for themselves..
After sooo many great adventures during the day, there is not much more for us to do than relax and enjoy a great dinner. And maybe a sneaky beer or two. We here at NOMB Surf always make sure that you refuel your body with tasty powerfood. And we might even teach a bit about surfers nutrition, giving you great examples and recipes to try at home.
We generally end the day sitting together, sharing stories and great moments. It´s incredible to see how strangers become friends in a very short time. Surfing brings people from all different parts of life and the world together. The passion for the ocean is what they share. This is the NOMB Surfteam from the surftrip to Galicia in 2017, a great bunch of people, still being in touch and surfing together..
So now you are saying to yourself, wow, so that´s what makes NOMB Surftrips so special?? We guess it´s a little bit of everything: amazing people, stunning locations, great organization, professional surfcoaching, perfect surfconditions.. We could keep writing for another page or two.. We reallly hope that you like what we do, and become part of our NOMB Surfcrew.
There are trips for every level, and for every type of surftrip you might be looking for. If you can´t find a trip that fits you, no worries, all you need to do is get in touch and let us know. We are more than happy to tailermake one for you!
Sea you in the water soon!
Your NOMB Surfteam
von NOMB Surf | Feb. 5, 2017 | MIND, NATURE, TRIPNOTES
… and what a group! Great spirits, fun, active and eager to explore!
So much laughter and silly jokes! That´s what happens when German, Austrian and Swiss accents are mixed together!
The NOMB Snowteam met in Surcuolm, Graubuenden. A beautiful litte village right in the mountains. Our warm and pretty luxury apartment was a 10m walk from the slope right down to the main skilift. A little challenge on the first day (Angie accidently checked out the detour) but the team managed to be at the Mundaun Ski&Snowboardschool headquarters up on the mountain right in time.
Joined by professional snowboard coach Joel, part of the renowned Bergwacht, the NOMB Snowteam shredded it´s way through the beautiful mountains, and powder, of this little hidden paradise. Even though we didn´t get fresh snow it didn´t matter because the sun presented itself everyday and made the -10 degrees feel nearly warm. Joel, and the schoolmanager Gian, made sure that the team headed to the best parts of the slopes and backcountry. NOMB wouldn´t be NOMB if it didn´t make you touch your limits but even a day of extreme Schlepplifiting put a smile on everyones face by the end of the day.
Being on the mountain the whole day is pretty exhausting. A well deserved apres-ski beverage at Joels Bar ´Muntaniala´ was enjoyed at sunset-time. Every day after a hot shower and some stretching the group dined the most incredible mountain style. Raclette at Joels house (a looot of cheese), Burritos at the apartment, Cheese Foundue in a mountain hut on 1.689m (more cheese), a homecooked traditional dinner at Joel´s parents house and an all-you-can-eat outdoor BBQ up in the bar watching the stars. A healthy diet is important for such active boarders like the NOMB Snowteam; protein, carbs and healthy fats were topped up! A sneaky Grapa might have helped the digestion a little bit 🙂
Every day Coach Joel surprised us with a special highlight. From climbing right to the top of mount Piz Mundaun and enjoying some amazing view (Markus showed us ´home Austria´ in the distance), to checking out the worldclass Snowboardpark in Laax. The highlight was without doubt the snowshoe hike on the last day. Equipped with avalanche equipment and snowshoes Aline, Angie, Joel, Markus and Tobi hit the beautiful and remote backcountry. After a challenging hike with pretty strong Foen wind the group reached the top. And was rewarded with a more than 1.200m altitude distance ride through untouched powder, forests, valleys, creeks.
All great things come to an end but these 6 days of snowshredding left the entire group with loads of desire to return one day! We can proudly say that the ´NOMB Surf goes snow experience´ has been a complete success, and will definately be repeated! Head to our Facebook page and get an idea of the fun, great views and unforgettable rides our team experienced!
Thanks to all the participants and visitors, you made this week one to remember!
Special Merci goes out to the entire Bergwacht (Joel, Gian and Ivan). You guys are legends, thanks for sharing your paradise! See you in the water!!
von NOMB Surf | Jan. 23, 2017 | BODY, CHILE, MIND, NATURE, OCEAN, SURFTRIPS
Because it was sooo much fun last year.. Because we had great waves.. Because we saw loads of the chilean countryside & culture.. Because we made new friends.. Because we improved our surfing, flexibility and strength..
And because of many more amazing reasons & memories, we do it again this year!!
Let´s surf Chile!!
Join us on our South American Surftrip experience! Only limited availability left, get in touch to secure your surfspot!
von NOMB Surf | Dez. 10, 2016 | NATURE, SURFTRIPS
Are you ready for a new adventure??
Instead of to the ocean, this time NOMB Surf take you on a ski&snowboard trip into the mountains!
We have teamed up with the cool guys from Mundaun Ski&Snowboard School and throw you into the white paradise of Switzerland!
This 7 nights trip is based in Obersaxen, East Switzerland and includes everything starting from skipass, ski/snowboard lessons, accommodation, breakfast&dinner, BBQ in the snow, little crazy adventures and a loooot of snowtime! All skill levels (ski or snowboard) are welcome!!
Check out the trip details und get in touch asap, spaces filling up really quickly!!
See you soon in Switzerland for some great snow, views, laughters and unforgettable moments!
