Joy can change the world, and spreading the joy of surfing to Afghanistan is a risk worth taking. Please help us make that happen with Kickstarter!
“In a country that has been crippled by war for the last 40 years every human’s right to the pursuit of happiness is easily forgotten. I can’t explain how much fun surfing can be. I want to bring this joy, that I love so much myself, to my home country.” Afridun Amu, Wave Riders Association of Afghanistan President and Founder .
Afridun Amu loves surfing but Afghanistan has no ocean. In an effort to share the joy of surfing with his home country, Afri established the Wave Riders Association of Afghanistan (WRAA) in 2012. Since then WRAA has hosted the first Afghan National Surf Competition in Portugal and joined the International Surf Association World Games. Afri has spent much of his life searching the world’s coastlines for surf spots but in June 2018 Afri and a team of river surfers traveled to his home country, landlocked Afghanistan, with just the same goal.
Afri joined the three other surfers in the expedition coming from Germany and Canada. Since their return the crew of surfers has started a film and currently looking for support on their Kickstarter page to be able to share their story with the world.
“All I wanted to do was travel to a new place and find some waves but surfing those waters opened the eyes of those kids to the possibility of surfing in their home. Seeing surfing in movies and magazines is all I had access to as a kid but from the moment I saw someone on a surfboard I knew I wanted that in my life no matter what it took to make it happen. It felt incredible to now be the one to give that gift.” Jacob Kelly Quinlan, Canadian River Surfer and Expeditioner.
Are the positive vibes of surfing, even if we are land locked, something we take for granted? Lets help bring the joy of surfing to Afghanistan; where people are in desperate need of peace and relief.
View the the Kickstarter and contribute to the project if you feel so led!
A special thank you to our Community Leader Jacob Kelly Quinlan for helping to make this project a reality.
I use to be so scared of the foil. The first time I foiled behind the boat I was able to get up on the first try. Learning to balance the foil was easy. However, the first time I tried to pull into the boat wave the foil bucked out and flipped up. Seemed like the foil had a mind of its own. This left me scared, because the reaction of the foil was unpredictable and it seemed like I would never be able to control it.
It took about 8 sessions behind the boat to feel more comfortable with how the foil acts in the water and on the wave. Here are a few tips that helped me finally surf the wave without a rope and get a better feel for the foil.
IMPORTANT WARNING | NEVER FIGHT THE FOIL
IF IT WANTS TO POP UP. JUST LET IT AND BAIL OFF THE BOARD. THIS WILL HELP YOU AVOID BEING STRUCK BY THE FOIL!
Step 1.) Getting Comfortable On The Foil
Spend some time in the glassy water outside the boat wake playing with your foot position and learning how to balance the foil as close to the water surface as possible. Front foot pressure will lower the foil and back foot pressure will raise the foil out of the water. If the foil breaches the water surface, it will slam the board back into the water. If you hear a gurgle sound coming from the foil this means the foil is about to breach the surface. Apply front foot pressure to avoid the board slamming.
Something that helped me feel like I had a little more control with how the foil reacted is playing with my foot position. I am using a little wider of a stance that I would normally use while I surf. This is helping me gain more control of how the foil reacts in different water current and flow. Learning to shift my weight with the water is also helping. For example when I pull into a wave I apply a massive amount of pressure on my front foot to keep the foil in the water.
Step 2.) Pulling Into The Wave
Once you are comfortable balancing on the foil it is time to pull into the wave! You will be surprised at the amount of energy the foil generates even on the smallest waves. An easy way to pull into the wave, is to cut to the outside of the wake zone as soon as you are up on the board. From the outside of the boat wake slowly swing into the wave applying front foot pressure until you adjust to how much lift the foil will generate from the wave.
If you are pulling into the wave from behind you will need to put a massive amount of foot pressure on the front foot while you pull over the top of the wave. If you try and pull over the wave without massive front foot pressure. The energy will throw the foil into the air!
I have been having so much fun surfing the 2nd wave back. I have even been able to transfer from on side of the boat wave to the other. It is my goal to be able to fly across from one wave to another super easy. I am slowly working on getting my pumping skill down and want to SUP flat water and some downwind races next year!!!
Stay loyal to the foil and I will see you on the water!!!
Yes, you can surf on a lake, and believe it or not Wisconsin arguably has some of the best lake surfing in the world. As a global crew of Land Locked Surfers, one of our goals is to build an archive of Community Leaders passionate about helping others discover the stoke of surfing outside of the ocean. This will help accomplish our vision of having an accessible point person for each surf community, location, and discipline. For example, if you live the United States, especially in the Wisconsin region, and you are trying to get into lake surfing then Tommy Shimenetto is our recommended resource for you. His lake surfing network runs deep in Wisconsin and he is passionate about sharing with others the stoke he finds out on the water!
For questions about surfing in Wisconsin it’s best to contact Tommy through his Instagram: @chicagosurfer
Let’s get to know Tommy, your Wisconsin surf connection!
Tyler Rickenbach | Free Soul Studios
Q: Give us some background, who is Tommy Shimenetto ?
Tommy: I’m a Dad, husband, surfer, adventurer, and explorer born and raised in Chicago. We moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin in mid 2017. At an early age I began skateboarding. In 2010 I learned to surf on a vacation to Kauai and I haven’t stopped since. Surfing is a HUGE passion of mine. I love meeting new people in the water. I love to spend time outside with my wife Courtney and our daughter Skyler, especially at the beach surfing and just relaxing. We often vacation on Kauai, spreading the stoke and sharing waves!
Q: How and when did you get into Surfing in Wisconsin?
Tommy: I first learned about the surf in Wisconsin years ago, when I came across some photos from a surfer at Third Coast Surf Shop. My wife Courtney and I booked a hotel room in Sheboygan when the winds favored the elbow. We drove up at night, and when we arrived we could hear the waves crashing on the shore. That morning was was one of the most magical moments of my Great Lakes surf experiences!
Q: Through your eyes describe the surf scene in your area, what are you doing to help it grow?
Tommy: The Surf scene in our town needs no help growing! It’s the biggest reason we moved here. Sheboygan has so much stoke!! Totally on autopilot. We are just blessed to be involved in a town where the roots run very deep. Its likely when you’re walking around town you will see boards hanging out the back of a pickup truck or strapped to the roof of a car.
Q: In Wisconsin, what are a few types of surfing riders are taking advantage of, which is your favorite, and why?
Tommy: There are so many surfers charging shortboards and longboards alike. But 11+ foot gliders with a 6” single fin are really magical. People also kite surf here. It’s a great way to take advantage of high wind days and still get on the water. I’m sure I’ll be getting into it one of these days.
Stand up paddle is also something my wife and I enjoy when it’s flat. She loves the glassy glide. When I’m in the line up though I am prone most of the time. There are surfers here who stand up paddle into waves, and it’s all good. The vibe is super welcoming to everyone.
Tyler Rickenbach | Free Soul Studios
Q: As a Locked Surfing Community Leader, what are your areas of expertise new riders should ask you about?
Tommy: As an LLS Community Leader, I can help with surf spots and how they work, and areas of danger to be aware of. Wind direction and weather are a big part of surfing the lakes. I can help new surfers with wave prediction, apps to use, and which breaks are going off when. It’s a skill that takes some time to develop. I can help new surfers decide what equipment they need to surf the lakes. Based on their experience and needs, I can hook them up to the two amazing surfshops on our western shores: EOS in Sheboygan and Lake Effect in Milwaukee to make sure they have the proper equipment.
Q: What drives you to get better everyday?
Tommy: What drives me is honoring myself with hard training, and nutrition. Striving to find that balance between family, work, and surf.
Q: What are your surfing/life goals for this year?
Tommy: My yearly goal is always to try to make all swells. I’ve had 8 sessions already out of the first 15 days of 2018! This year I also want to stand up paddle 100 miles total.
Q: In your world of surfing, who do you look up to most and why?
Tommy: I really admire all my friends that I’m blessed to share waves with. Mike Killion, Mike Calabro, Dave Benjamin, David Owens, Ian Jacobson of Chicago SUP, B Rian, Garrett, Jack Flynn, Patt Noyes, Amanda Bye, Mike Miller, Grant Davey, Lee and Larry Williams, Ryan Lefever , Chris Bridgman, Peter Lambert, Laird Hamilton, John John, to name a few. I look up to whoever is having the most fun and catching the most waves!
Q: Outside of Lake Surfing what are your other passions?
Tommy: All types of training—Crossfit, Yoga, interval training, cold water breath work. All aspects of nutrition interest me. I love to fish, and be outdoors in general. I’m also a drummer. Since we moved I’ve finally set up my drum kit again. Making music with friends is also a passion of mine. I’ve played and am still playing and writing music with so many talented humans in the Chicago music scene. In recent years I’ve developed a strong interest in photography. The lake is ever changing and I love to capture the waves and the surfers!
Q: What is something funny very few people may know about you?
Tommy: I’m really wanting to add chickens to our back yard! I believe its great that our daughter Skyler continues to see and learn where our food comes from.
Closing Thoughts: I’m stoked to be a part of the Land Locked Surfing community and am excited to network with fellow surfers around the world. I’m always searching for a wave and chasing a great sunrise and sunset.
Questions about surfing in Wisconsin? Best to contact Tommy through his Instagram:@chicagosurfer
Tyler Rickenbach | Free Soul Studios
About the Photographer
My name is Tyler Rickenbach. One of my earliest childhood memories dates back to flipping through dust covered National Geographic magazines and staring at the images for hours. Since then, I’ve been drawn to visual storytelling and creating authentic images that convey emotion. It may be a strange concept, but it’s how I approach every shoot. I believe an image should be able to put us in that moment, and stop our thumbs from scrolling — which is what I try to do with every image I take. If there was one word that described me, it would be passionate or maybe even obsessed. Visual storytelling is what I live and breath because it takes me out of my comfort zone, and allows me to become the best version of myself.
