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layday news

May 2023

THE 2. GERMAN OPEN – SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED IN JUST ONE DAY!

With 13 hours, probably the longest contest day of a German surf event.

There was a lot going on at the second GERMAN OPEN – a day full of surf action, 13 hours long! Since the forecast at Whitsun left a little to be desired, the contest team improvised and decided to hold the GERMAN OPEN on just one day. With twice as many surfers at the start as last year, the whole thing was a real highlight!

In the water, on the wave, in all weathers.

From early morning to late at night, the 63 surfers took on the challenges, after all, three-foot waves and onshore conditions awaited. The heats of the Open Women and Men alternated – after all, it should be fair. Co-organiser Michael Zirlewagen from layday layday said:

“It’s a natural sport and we take the conditions as they are and are happy that everyone pulled together so collectively. By that I mean the athletes, as well as the whole orga team. What a day!”

Arne Bergwinkel and Victoria Backhaus win the GERMAN OPEN

With the likes of Tim Elter, Arne Bergwinkel, Finn Springborn, Yvonne Hoffmann and Zoé Levit, it was clear: this was going to be exciting! After a lot of surfing and paddling, Arne, Finn, Tim and Gilles made it to the final of the Open Men. In the end, Arne Bergwinkel bagged the victory – score: a whopping 11.50 points!

In the women’s event, newcomer Victoria Backhaus surprised the judges and the audience. The 17-year-old German-Italian won the GERMAN OPEN with a score of 7.75 points. About her victory she said:

“At the beginning I was a bit nervous because I’m used to surfing bigger waves, so I chose an epoxy board. I’m super happy to have won the contest, but I wasn’t completely happy with my surfing. My strategy was to catch two waves with a good score in the first five minutes and then try to improvise. For me, the GERMAN OPEN was a great experience.”

The organisers are satisfied

Michael Zirlewagen from layday layday is more than happy:

“The facelift of the contest, the qualification round, worked great, because with 63 contest participants there were twice as many as last year! We are especially happy that there were more women at the GERMAN OPEN this year!”

Contest Director Max Blunk is also thrilled:

“According to my memory, it was the longest contest day I have ever experienced! As the forecast didn’t look so promising, we had to do all heats in just one day. Luckily the conditions improved during the day and we were able to finish by 8:30pm. To make the contest as fair as possible for both classes, the heats of the Women and Men alternated! I thank the whole team for this great performance and I am looking forward to the next German Open!”

A crowning finale: the GERMAN OPEN ends with a fat party

Despite 13 hours of action, the surfers showed some real energy on the dance floor with Bluefunkt and DJ Schicketanz. The hall was packed and the atmosphere went through the roof!

A huge thank you to all participants and partners for a great event, we are already looking forward to the next highlights and the big closing party at the Night of the Champs.
Until then, there’s still a cool programme at the SURFERSWEEK: Work out at the Roundnet tournament or relax at yoga with Zoé, test at the NSP test centre or a training session at Kanoa Surfskate. And of course party with Solvane, Juggernauts on Titan and DJ Schicketanz.
For those who prefer to chill out, there’s the Movie Night with the Ocean Film Tour. There is something for everyone!

The GERMAN OPEN have once again shown that, as the biggest German surf event in France, they are a must in the German surf calendar. Even in crisp conditions, this event rocked one wave after the other. And hey, it worked! The GERMAN OPEN were a complete success and showed that the German surfing scene has a lot going for it.

Looking to the future: GERMAN OPEN, we’ll be back!

Now, after all the splashing water and exciting competitions, we are already looking forward to the next edition. More exciting wave rides, more adrenaline-pumping competitions, and more unforgettable experiences await us.

The GERMAN OPEN – it’s more than just a surf event. It is a celebration of the sport, a challenge for the athletes and a real highlight for all participants. And of course a great opportunity to see Germany’s best surfers in action. See you next time – at the GERMAN OPEN!

So, until then, stay healthy, stay fit and above all – stay on the wave!