thefreesurfer.com

15/04/2023

Big changes are coming!

After more than 10 years of "thefreesurfer.com", it is time for a change! But let me tell you, it’s going to be a win/win!
I have been very lazy on it for quiet a while now, and there was not all that much new content for you. This WILL change very soon!
I won’t be doing thefreesurfer.com much longer, BUT it’s going to be in good (and much more professional) hands, with new and more regular content coming!
I will still be writing for it every now and then, as well as for all the others I do. I keep testing gear and taking surf pictures. But not longer as thefreesurfer. And I won’t be posting much. But if you feel like you would like to stay in touch with me, find my new account on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/pascalchristenoriginal/
And if you feel like you would want to have a piece of my journey until here, contact me, and buy one of the few prints that are still available.

Stay tuned, more to come!

11/04/2023

Before I went to the wavepool in Bristol, I tried to find out how well the Pyzel Ghost would work. But no one could really tell me. SO I had to find it out myself.
And the answer is easy... It doesn't
This doesn't really surprise me to be honest. it is made for bigger and perfect waves. And as perfect as the waves are in a pool, they are far from big! (even with the biggest setting I surfed). And this meant I had to push my board really hard, but still couldn't surf it as I wished...
Fun? still for sure! But far from ideal.

What is your favorite pool board? let me know?

06/04/2023

Semana Santa
one or probably the craziest, busiest and wildest week of the year in Latin America. I've been there once for it, and surfing plus sleeping is usually not what is done much!
Happy Semana Santa to everyone who is there... for me it will be a bit quieter this year.

29/03/2023

This winter, I had the chance to test the new Patagonia Wetsuit for Waveup.
Happy one of the action shots made it into the mag as well.

Get your copy, and find out how I liked it...

25/03/2023

It's been 3 years...
Time to go back for some barrels and pints!

Surfing  “The Wave” in Bristol. What you need to know and what I think about it. First things first… I’m not a purist, who thinks surfing has to be exclusively in the ocean, and I am not new to surfing…

23/03/2023

Crazy how time flies... It's been already a year since these heavy Oaxaca breakfasts... Cheese, mole, beans and barrels

20/03/2023

Counting down the days...

18/03/2023

What comes closest to surfing right now!

But not much longer, before it is time for some thick rubber again!

10/03/2023

I've been to this place almost 6 years ago. Back then, there were never more people in the water than waves in a set. And the paddle back always took a couple of sets, as it is a really long wave!
How has it changed?
Is it worth going back to find out if it is still the same?
Summer is still a long way, but planing already started!

06/03/2023

Take me back to that place in the middle of the Atlantic, where a windswell looks like this, and the crowds are far away...

01/03/2023

Have you ever surfed the Pyzel Ghost in a wavegarden?
How did it go?
Worth it or do you think it's the wrong board?

24/02/2023

Remembering that morning in the land of the rights...
This wave has a reputation as a beginner wave, and a lot of people never bother to even go and check it. Well... most people stay also quite far away from here ;).
To be honest, it is a really mellow wave, the paddle out is easy, and some sections are relatively fat. BUT if you sit in the right place, and surf the right section, there is nothing to complain about it.

20/02/2023

Portuga,l who is pushing surf tourism so much, and TAP Air Portugal Have you ever seen a Surfboard?

13/02/2023

That time of the year again!

10/02/2023

One of the unique things about surfing, and surftrips as such is how much we rely on nature. And even if we plan a trip during peak season for waves, we never know what we get!

This time, it was a lot of small and chunky wind chop, flat days rain and time spent with food and coffee... BUT in the end, we got a glimpse of what this place could look like and tempted us to come back.

06/02/2023

New week, new swell!
I have no clue, what that new swell will look like and feel like? But I know that it holds a lot of power!
Chances are high for smooth water and sizey faces as an opposite to what we've been surfing a lot lately.
Anticipation is high... but with mixed feelings!

02/02/2023

Another solo session. Windy and far from world-class, but still so much fun.
The sun was only out for this picture and the colors were less than charming after that. But it looks like there could be a couple of more waves over the next days...

26/01/2023

My new toy is here! and the excitement level couldn't be higher!
Thanks Surfari Surf Shop and Vanderwaal for this beauty!

Honestly... If I held this board under my arm and didn't know anything about it, I would have never bought it!!!
The volume distribution, the outlines, how the rails feel and the whole board is so different from what I've been surfing for the last 8 years. Sure, during this time, I surfed many different boards, and started to get more and more into twin fin surfing. BUT if it cyme to high-performance surfing, I always had somehow very similar boards. I mean, why shouldn't I, if I know what works for me?
But how exciting to get a board under my feet, that is supposed to do what it has to do, But with a whole other approach in shape?!

Can't wait to see how it feels...

23/01/2023

Another one from far down the coast...
It was not easy, and a lot of close outs, but it was sill better than fighting for waves with 50 others...

Nothing against a beachbreak

19/01/2023

The beauty around us...

16/01/2023

Have a good start😁

09/01/2023

My time in Morocco is unfortunately already over! This time with unusual little and small swells, but just as great as always!
Yes, it is more crowded than it used to be (just like everywhere else), but there are still some uncrowded waves that are great fun. The food is as delicious as ever, the coffee more abundant than it used to be, the camels as cute, the hamahs as hot and the orange juice as sweet as ever!
Shukran and see you again...

05/01/2023

Welcome to the land of the right

02/01/2023

If you've never been to Morocco, you might should go before the season is over. Sure, many of the waves are already crowded without you, but It's still an amazing place!

Blog/ Travel/ Winter get-away To Surf Taghazout, Morocco is definitely not a new idea if it comes to winter get-aways. Cheap and quick flights from all over Europe, relatively warm weather, and really consistent waves all winter long. This in…

31/12/2022

Guten Rutsch, happy new year, selamat tahun baru, feliz ano nuevo...

In German, we wish: "Einen guten Rutsch". This means something like slide well into the new year. Take this literally if you like, or just enjoy your time... where ever you are right now.

I hope the new year brings you good waves, happiness and health, time to lean back, delicious food and rich coffee, time with the people you love, and a couple of enjoyable wipe-outs...

29/12/2022

Feels so good to be back!
But who are those 50+ people? they haven't been here last time?!

24/12/2022

Neuer post im Waveup Blog über Surf Companions.
Schau es dir an, könnte was für dich sein?

Entdecke das Workbook, das dir dabei hilft, deine Surftechnik zu verbessern und dich an Tricks und Tipps zu erinnern. Pascal Christen stellt vor.