Dimitri Scholl
Year : 1990
Profession : primary school teacher / businessman
Hometown : Thun
Hobbies : surfing, snowboarding, tennis, jogging
Stance : Goofy
Boardsports : Ocean Surfing / Wavepool / Snowboarding
Home spot : Müli, Thun
Favorite Destinations : Somewhere in the sea... or in the river ;-)
Surfboards : Semente Talisman 6'2, Agency Hawk 6'4, SWAN Riverboards
Love : Good vibes! Lots of time in the water.
Hate : Ocean Pollution
Crew : Cold Water Pirates
contests :
Swiss Wavepool Jam 2014, 2nd place
Swiss Wavepool Jam 2015, 2nd place
European Champs Wavepool 2015, Quarterfinals
Swiss Wavepool Jam 2016, 3rd place
European Champs Wave Pool 2015
Swiss Wavepool Champs, 4th place
FOLLOW DIMI SCHOLL ON:
Club river surfing Thun Instagram
Interview with Dimi Scholl
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
hey ho! My name is "Dimi" Scholl, I'm 27 years old and come from Thun. Whether on the surfboard or in winter on the snowboard, you will find me in the water or on the snow whenever possible. With the mountains at its back and two constant river waves on its doorstep, Thun is definitely an ideal home for it. After my studies, a few gap years and various jobs by the sea or in the mountains, I now also work as a primary school teacher in Bern.
How did your passion for surfing come about?
About 12 years ago, I and friends made my first attempts at surfing in Thun at the Scherzligschleuse. But that had little to do with the actual surfing, because we always held on to the rope and tried to get into the current and let ourselves be pulled up to the standing wave. But then I got surf fever and in the same year I went on my first surf trip to the French Atlantic coast.
What fascinates you about surfing?
The feeling of gliding on the water is indescribably fascinating. Every wave is a little different every day and therefore unique, which makes me even more excited to catch the perfect day and the perfect conditions. In addition, the sport is very physical - to be really "surfed out" after a good session gives me a great feeling.
You only get to choose one place to surf for the rest of your life. Which place would that be?
If it's all about surfing, I'd probably choose the Gnaraloo region of Western Australia. However, I would probably be lonely there pretty quickly, because apart from a few crazy water sports enthusiasts, lots of wild animals and perfect waves, there is not much there - which in turn makes the place all the more attractive for surfing.
What or who is your biggest inspiration when it comes to surfing?
For me it's all the people around me that inspire me to surf. Every surfer has his/her own style and maybe something where I find: "Wow, I want to do that too!" For me there is no "right way" or a "pattern technique" that you should learn in this sport , but I try to be inspired by all the people and friends in the water and learn new things that way.
Which boards do you prefer for surfing?
It always depends on the waves and the conditions I encounter. I usually prefer shortboards in both the sea and river, but on small days with flat waves I have just as much fun in the water with a longboard or funshape.
In my opinion, it is always worth trying something new and riding different boards.
How does it feel to be a Surfari team rider?
It's super cool to be able to drive for a shop where I can stand behind the philosophy 100%! The entire Surfari team is incredibly committed to our sport, which is still very small in Switzerland, and thus enables us all to do a lot! THANK YOU TEAM SURFARI!!!
Can one speak of a surf scene in Switzerland? If so, are you active or passive in a club?
Yes, with all the opportunities to ride waves in Switzerland, one can certainly speak of a still small but growing surfing scene. Here in Thun, the number of surfers on the two river waves has literally exploded in recent years. I find it all the more important to use the time right now to push the sport with clubs or communities and to represent it to the outside world. I myself am a board member of the Thun River Surfing Association, with which we try to serve as a mouthpiece for the ever-growing scene in the city.
In my opinion, only if we join forces and act as a unit can new wave projects be tackled and implemented, which ultimately benefit us all in practicing our sport. However, this also requires unpaid work and many hours of work in a wide variety of areas.
What has been your biggest surfing challenge so far?
To be honest, surfing offers me new challenges with every session and that's exactly why the sport somehow remains so incredibly exciting. You definitely never stop learning...! A special challenge for me has always been pushing my own limits when it comes to the size of the waves in the sea. In the beginning it often takes a lot of effort to face the challenge and yet it is precisely these sessions that are particularly memorable.
What is your favorite surfing adventure? Describe an anecdote from a surf trip.
Especially on my last trip to Western Australia, humpback whales kept appearing in the line up and came within a few meters of us - a spectacular experience!
Are there stereotypes in surf culture about surfing and surfers for you?
Many people probably still have the stereo surfer in mind, who casually dings from deserted beach to deserted beach in his ancient hippie bus. First of all, an old bus isn't all that practical because things have to be repaired all the time and it's hard to surf the web. In addition, deserted beaches with good waves have become quite a utopia, at least here in Europe. Ultimately, for me it's all about being able to spend as much time as possible in the water and having fun. In the current hype about the whole surfing lifestyle and the question of what clothes a "real" surfer should wear, many people somehow forget that.
