Who Katinka Sørensen is

My name is Katinka Sørensen, I am 29 years old, and I am the Danish surfing champion. I compete in both national competitions such as the Danish Championships and international competitions, where I represent the Danish national team at the European and World Championships. Additionally, I am an online student at UCN, studying Service Economics with a specialization in Sports and Event Management. Currently, I am in the midst of my internship and interning at De Brede Planker. In this blog post, I will share how I learned to surf, my journey from when I started surfing to becoming the Danish champion. I would also like to offer some valuable advice to beginners who want to learn to surf and those who aim to improve their skills.

My surfing journey

My life as a surfer began when I was 20 years old and tried surfing for the first time. I took a private lesson where I received instructions in the water and was pushed onto the waves with a large beginner’s board. It was a great success, and I was completely hooked on continuing. After the initial attempts, I must admit that I thought I had already mastered it, so I decided to buy a surfboard that was too small. However, it quickly became clear how difficult it is to catch waves and stand up on a board that doesn’t match your skill level, especially without assistance in the water. I persevered through it because I was deeply passionate about surfing and incredibly determined. After spending some time on various beaches in Australia, I headed to Bali in Indonesia. It was there that I caught my first green wave, and from then on, it started to become truly enjoyable. After a period of surfing alone and a longer period where I didn’t surf as much, I sought the help of a coach to improve my surfing. This marked a significant improvement in my skills. Through dedicated training and travels to different surf destinations, I had achieved significant progress in my surfing abilities.

Surfing and Competitions in Denmark

I then began to explore surfing opportunities in Denmark. I was curious about the level and environment at home, after having surfed so much abroad. I found out that there are plenty of surfers in Denmark and that they hold surfing competitions in Western Jutland.

These competitions are called “The Danish Surf Tour,” and this is where surfers compete to win the title of Danish champion in surfing. There are three competitions where the surfer’s overall results are crucial in determining the winner of the Danish championship. These competitions were an opportunity for me to challenge myself, get into the Danish surf scene, and most importantly, meet other Danish surfers. I started participating in these competitions in 2019. During the first couple of years, I didn’t perform as I had hoped, but I got to know many other Danish surf enthusiasts. I learned more about my own surfing and myself in competitive situations.

Loves the surf atmosphere

I continued participating in the competitions because I love the entire atmosphere and thrive in the competition moment. In 2021, I became a proud member of the Danish national surf team and had the honor of representing Denmark at the World Championship in El Salvador. The following year, in 2022, I achieved the title of Danish champion in Shortboard Women. And in 2023, I represented Denmark at the European Championship in Portugal. Being part of the Danish surf community has given me great new friends, amazing experiences, and pushed me as a surfer. And I love it.

What Surfing Means to Me

To me, surfing represents a unique connection to nature. Think about it – you’re riding the waves on a board! It’s a fantastic and indescribable feeling. Surfing is also about the community that forms and the entire atmosphere surrounding it. Surfing is more than just a sport; it’s a lifestyle. It opens doors to travel and experience different destinations and cultures of other countries.

Exploring New Surf Destinations

I almost always travel to surf destinations when I take time off. This allows me to forge new friendships, experience diverse cultures, and spend as much time as possible in the water and nature.

Learn to Surf and Become Part of the Surfing Community:

Here are some valuable tips for learning to surf, based on my experience and what I have seen and lived through. Whether you want to start your surfing adventure, improve your skills, or perhaps even aspire to compete one day, the experience can range from a fun start to a very challenging beginning. So why not ensure a positive start and a smoother learning curve? I always recommend seeking instruction to get off to a good start and enrolling in a surf camp. Having experienced and dedicated instructors present can make a huge difference compared to trying it on your own.

During a week-long surf camp, you will learn to surf and improve your level! You can relax as guides take you to suitable spots, and you won’t need to worry about equipment, as everything will be prepared for you. Additionally, you’ll gain a sense of community, savor delicious food, and embrace the relaxed surf vibe.

Even now, with all my surfing journeys and experiences, one of my most memorable surf trips was with DBP Adventures, at their luxurious surf camp in Morocco. It was an experience that suited both beginners, those moderately experienced, and seasoned surfers.

Being at a surf camp that organizes where to surf, when is best, and fosters a good atmosphere is fantastic and relaxing. Organizing a surf trip on your own can be stressful, as there are many factors that come into play for it to be successful.

So sign up for a surf camp and learn to surf and improve your surfing in the most enjoyable and safest way with DBP Adventures.