Rik: This is hard to say and just two years after the start of the project not predictable yet. We´re still very limited with our financial possibilities and people just start to realize our products and trust the label. It takes quite some time before a company starts to make winnings. Therefore we cannot really say that we sponsor certain kids. At the moment we just organize things like our Christmas action with spreading the clothes. Through other projects we see, that it is possible to give a real perspective to the kids. Even the kids that don´t succeed leaving the township because of financial reasons stay away from gangs and drugs. Surfing definitely changes the kids and gives them a guideline. They get to know their body a positive way, learn to get focused and get a connection to the nature and see that they´re not alone and can find buddies outside the gangs. When we connect with other projects in Cape Town it should be possible to give some kids a chance. At the moment our work consists mainly of groundwork, because first of all we have to create a budget large enough to really have en effect. Peronaly we drive to the townships, distribute clothes, spend the day with the kids trying to understand their situation. They learn the basics in the surf school and there have their daily support.

datrip: You engagement is quite a bit different to the usual SA – travel plan „get there, surf, have a look, pitty them a bit, get back home“. How did it come that you engage yourselfs that much?

Rik: When I was 13 or 14 years I´ve seen in TV a report about a Surfavela, a similar project in Rio de Janeiro and was hooked. Somehow this stayed in my mind over the years and the idea got more real when I went to Cape Town and there saw a problem similar to the one in Rio. And for us this is a goog opportunity to learn how to build and lead a company, better than any university studies or apprentices. Therefore there is also some selfishness involved. On the other hand we were fed up with all that beach boy image of most surf labels… I remember having the choice between hibiscus flowers, wannabe graffitis and skulls….

datrip: Have you been surfing or windsurfing on the north sea since coming back from SA?

Rik: Not yet and I pity that. I just came back two weeks ago and immediately had to deal with university stress and make a Faith21 shop tour in Holland. There was no time left but I´ll do that as soon as possible.

datrip: In your oppinion, is the north sea only a replacement drug for „real waves“ in „real oceans“ or does it have it´s own qualities?

Rik: Sure, the waves can´t compare with waves in the atlantic or pacific and I must admit that I rather surf in Costa Rica or Fiji than in Wijk, but as you said, the north sea has different qualities. The light, the quickly changing weather, the dunes, the cold… these all are special things. Or for instance in Wijk, the contrast between heavy industry and the vast sand beach, this are beauties that only become beautiful on the second glance.

datrip: Oh yes, Wijk has a – though very rough - fascination. Since quite a while I have this film clip in my mind, blade runner style, this heavy steel factory in contrast to the sometimes really excellent waves. I´m still waiting fort he right conditions. The level of surfing in Holland – especially in Wijk – is pretty high. And I heard from the one or other case of localism. How do you get along with the local lineup?

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