Interview Casper Steinfath, Suprider Pro du Stand Up Paddle World Tour

Casper est un jeune rider qui pratique le surf et le Stand Up Paddle! Il a démarré dans l'eau froide du Danemark pour être aujourd'hui sur le Stand Up World Tour à parcourir la planête avec son SUP!

When and where did you arrive on earth?

On Sunday the 5^th of September 1993 I arrived on this planet in Roskilde, Denmark.

When did you start Sup-Riding?

Before I could walk my dad took me in the waves on his tandem surfboard. Surfing came naturally and my passion for the ocean kept growing and growing ! In 2007 I tried SUP for the first time and I was immediately hooked !

Where do you live and is it a good place to Sup?

I live in Klitmøller, Denmark, where I SUP and go to school. Klitmøller is known as the “Cold Hawaii” among windsurfers and also has a huge potential for stand up paddling. There are lots of amazing SUP-surf spots, world class downwind stretches and cool places to paddle. My area is super diverse and I am happy to be able to train in many different conditions.

Denmark could be cold?

In summer Denmark can be really nice, but the winters can be quite extreme! Water temperatures can reach as far down as -2 degrees C° and ice will start floating around in the lineup. When stand up paddling, you are vulnerable to the cold wind, which creates a windchill, that goes straight through your 6 mm wetsuit and makes your fingers blue. But it’s also super fun to walk through snow to get to the beach, haha.

 

You are on the sup world tour! What is your best result?

This was my first year on the SUP World Tour and I learned a lot! In La Torche, Britanny, I finished 4^th place in the trials and got to compete against the world’s best in the main event. Best result this year was 17^th place in France.

 

What do you think about this tour?

The SUP World Tour has hosted some amazing events this year at some unique locations all over the world. Wave conditions this year have been really challenging with everything from 2 ft beach breaks to 15 ft Tahitian death tubes on offer. The energy surrounding the tour is super positive and winning a world title requires skill and commitment in all kinds of waves. I really hope to be a part of this momentum in the future!

What is your best contest that you participated in and why?

I have participated in many contests since 2007, and I remember many good events. All contests are special and give me new experiences and new friends. The World Tour event in La Torche in 2011 was very special to me, because it opened my eyes to what really is possible on a SUP board in waves. I saw guys like Kai Lenny, Zane Schweitzer and Kody Kerbox, who all are my age, surf amazingly and bust many new-school moves on their boards. Seeing guys my age pushing the limits of what is possible really inspired me to train hard and keep following the positive energy, which surrounds the World Tour. 

eric terrien, gaetan sene,casper et belar diaz!
 

Do you often ride skateboards?

Sometimes I ride skateboards for fun with my friends at the local mini ramp. I love it! It is just another way of surfing and it actually really helps your coordination when you get back in the waves. Only problem with skateboarding is, that a bad concrete-wipeout can keep you out of the water for a long time J

Island Slalom Tour is a series of skateboarding contests on tiny French islands where nobody has ever skated! We are like Captain Cook on Hawaii in 1600! Except we now have motor boats and concrete roads... What do you think about this?

Awesome concept! Whether it is surfing, snowboarding or skateboarding exploring new spots is always super fun. I wish, I could be a part of it and go see new skate places. Thumbs up!

What is your biggest Wipe Out?

Last winter in Macaronesia I was surfing an epic swell at a big right point break. The waves were solid 8-10 ft but really heavy and powerful. On one set I took off on the first wave, got stuck in the lip, ate shit and didn’t make it. I took 10-12 waves on my head afterwards and got washed down the entire point. It was scary, but it didn’t kill me – so I paddled back out for more.

One morning, you wake up, you arrive in your kitchen and suddenly you see a genius in a wetsuit! He says:” Hey Mister, I can offer you 2 magic gifts! What do you want?”

#1 - I would wish for unlimited amounts of cheesecake.

#2 - That the two local Klitmøller super groms – No names – would never more be allowed to drop in on my waves ;) hehe – A teleporter could also be cool !

What do you think about Brittany?

I love Britanny! The people were really nice and welcoming, when we were there earlier this year. The cakes, the crepes and the outer reefs were all amazing. I felt at home in Britanny and I can’t wait to go back in 2012.

 
How would you define a good session?

Sharing some fun waves with your friends and family.

Do you have sponsors?

Yes, my sponsors keep me up to date with the best gear and in fresh clothes. I really appreciate their support: Naish, Quickblade Paddles, PLASMA boardwear, The Pirate Bay Headphones, Campbell Brothers surfboards, Longboardshop.de

 

What is your device?

I ride all kinds of boards from performance surfboards to 14 ft racing yachts. My favorite SUP board is my 8’5’’ Naish Hokua – It surfs like a dream.

A last Word ?

2011 has been a big year for and I can’t wait to move on into 2012 with everyone! It is going to be a great season with lots of action. See you on the water !