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Post date: Sep 18, 2010 5:48:06 AM

River Surfer magazine Photos courtesy of : Flo Hagena and Buster surfboards This Months German lesson Catching up with the Munich river surfing open 2009 I wanted to get a different perspective of the Munich river surfing scene from some of those who are behind the scenes of this great yearly event.Thanks to some Munich locals who where kind enough to share some photos and words to give us eyes into this event . In short interview's by RSM answered by Nico co founder of world class Buster surfboards one of the main sponsors of the event. Also Flo Hagen a local active sports photographer who was hired to snap the photos thank you both for the info and view of Germany ,also much respect to the Munich river surfing community & the Grossandate surf site 2000/2010 Open> RSM: Nico greets ,thanks a lot for sharing your photos and your time , much respect to your company Buster surfboards you are legends in the river,surfing community here in the USA . RSM:1.How long has Buster surfboards been in operation ?can you give us a little history of how the company started? Nico: We had our 10th year annual this year.Our roots are at the Munich river surf wave “Flosslände” which is the second frequently running wave in Munich.There we (Guido and me were the founders, see attached picture) decided to build river surf boards and surfboards for German offshore surfer, which spend less then 6 weeks per year at the ocean. Photo courtesy of: Nico of Buster surfboards RSM:Happy 10th and to many more to come . RSM:2. You have been one of the main sponsors of the Munich river surfing open for many years,what changes have you seen in the progression of river surfing competitively and recreational surfing in Munich? Nico:The technical level has increased so much during the last years. There are new tricks which are difficult to name. I´ve attached a little shot to show you an example of one of the very hard tricks. Also the surfboard material has changes. Most of the competition surfers riding special spot boards now. Photo courtesy of :Nico Buster surfboards RSM:,Great shot of the move thanks and a Buster surfboard in action . RSM:3. Your river surf boards look way sick,do you think you have found the perfect combination between fin and shape for river surfing? or are you still experimenting with that? .To me speed seems to always be a key to high performance surfing in oceans and rivers these days. Nico :We are always experimenting with board shapes. At the moment it seems to be that we have found the perfect shape and shape/fin combination for our spots. But we are always in contact with our team and maybe some time they will also improve our current reference shape. RSM:4.How many surfers do you sponsor? the Buster team is always on the podium in the MSO that says a lot about your surfboards. Gerry is truly one of the best in the world as are all Munich surfers in our opinion. Do you personally test your boards?if so what are some of your favorite places to surf and shapes to shred on? Photo courtesy of :FloHagena.com and Buster Nico:We have 5 Surfers in our team, 3 of them are in our junior team. Gerry is our most successful team rider with 8 titles in River surfing competition and 2 titles in open water competitions. I test all boards by myself before we shape them in bulk production. My office is only 5 minutes from the River surf Spot “Floßlände”, so I try to surf as often I can. At the weekend I often surf the “Eisbach”, mostly in the morning to avoid crowds. Other favorite places to surf are the Canaries, Portugal and Morocco. RSM:5.Do you see river surfing going main stream as a world wide sport someday like it has in Munich for many years? and do you think it will bring many of the same problems like surfing wave ownership and trouble into the soul of just surfing to surf. There are some tensions all ready around the river surf world I think that makes for great competition in a way and a bummer too a double edge sword so to speak, what is your opinion Photo courtesy of :FloHagena.com and Buster Nico:I don´t think that it really will get mainstream, because the spots are limited and artificial waves are expensive to run. Nico:But at the moment the scene is growing more and more and for sure that will cause problems like crowds and local ism, I think the future of River surfing is also a little bit in the Hand of the surfing industry, If they like to push that sport in Media it will get more coverage. It´s easy to organize and promote river surf contests the waves are consistent, the surfers are not isolated somewhere in the ocean and it is easy to get there, specially in Munich. We already had a professional tour, I think it was 2006, with price money and tour stops in Germany, Austria and France. But the main Sponsors Salomon S-Core and Brown just did it for one year. Photo courtesy of :Flohagen.com and Buster RSM:6.Munich has some great waves do they have any plans to build more? .I know Munich had to of inspired some of the early river surfers here in Colorado a guy in the 80s was shredding BIG sur back then . Nico :There are a lot of efforts to get more waves or just to make it legal. I think this is possible but will still take a few years. RSM:7.What are some future plans for Buster surfboards? any other contests in Europe that you sponsor surfing or river surfing besides the MSO? Nico: At the moment we focus on a new technology which uses extruded Polystyrene foam and generates durable boards which look like classic boards but don´t suck water and have nearly the same flex and response characteristics like classic boards. It is important for Munich river surfing to improve the board technology, because classic PU Boards are not really made for the hard impacts on the beton channel walls. RSM:8.Would you like to say anything to the world? or add anything? please do so here. Nico:Sure we like to greet all other river surfers out of Munich. "Hope to see you all in Munich." Please go to the Flosslände first and if it works there come to the Eisbach, the rocks there are invisible and the impacts can be hard. If you come in wintertime and the Flosslände does not work, it is a good idea to use a boyancy vest. Nico and Buster thanks again for your time and photos and what you have done for river surfing ,keep shredding the waves and foam truly our highest regards. Nico"Have a good time, too!" Interview with Flo Hagena world class sports photographer RSM:1.How long have you been taking photos? FloH:Since I was 14teen it has been my job since ´99. Photo courtesy of: Flohagena.com and Buster RSM:>2.What are your favorite cameras to use if I may ask and do you have a favorite subject to shoot ? FloH:Canon full frame, lifestyle of sports motivated people, shooting in the ocean is the best. RSM:3.How was the Munich river surfing open this year ? always looks like a blast to me ,do you surf the famous river waves of Munich? and do you take part in the other sport's you shoot? FloH:The MSO09 had little less participants, weather was the reason I guess. Not all the good surfers are competition guys. But its a big get together and a hype for the young guns. Veiw More Photos from Flo Hagaen of the MSO2009 Grossstadtsurfer contest FloH:I surf really rarely when I am home, when I am in Munich I work to much. all board sports I like a lot, where ever I go I take my skateboard with me, snowboarding, Mtn biking, little bit of climbing - no soccer no tennis no golf. Photo courtesy of :Flohagena.com and Buster RSM:4.You have a wide variety of photo skills many great shots dig the black and whites of the old cars any tips for wanna be photographers out there you can offer ? FloH:The best tip I offer is you should be interested in what you shoot, look for your own angel, do not copy other peoples ideas, the more you are into the (sports) the better you get at shooting them. RSM:5.Are you strictly Photography or do you shoot video as well? FloH:From time to time I shoot a little video never have edited it by myself , now I got a SLR HD even with slowmo and now its time to film - o love it.. RSM:6.Nice camera ,what is your take on the river surfing scene in Munich?It is where it all started the home of river surfing's history. FloH:Sounds like its the start base something 35 years ago, but I feel every surfer would check it out when they see a wave on a river. But for sure we have the biggest river surf community worldwide, I guess. The scene you can see all day all year long people on bikes, in trains, cruising cars , or on skateboards, in the city. This video from the UTube is a good example of a day in the life of this great wave RSM:Any tips on traveling around Munich?. FloH:Tips for traveling around Munich, many lakes, mountains, high speed autobahn,beer gardens, park where you can and have a have beer in public, or if you wish you are allowed to run around naked.Sailing,pool skating, sightseeing, mtb ..... plus only three hours and your in Italy..... RSM:7.Ha!!! that sounds like my kind of city , Flo would you like to say something to the world or share a upcoming show or project ? FloH:Watch out for the movie "keep surfing" - the riverdoc film - and my upcoming surf website monkey-surf.com "so far, hang loose" flo RSM: Flo we thank you for your time and sharing your great photos our highest regards to your sport of the art. Photo courtesy of : Flohagaen.com and Buster Gerry Schlegel wins the Munich river surfing open again congrats Gerry ,this year under rainy conditions, and moderate flows the famous river wave's of Germany and the one of a kind Flosslände come alive again with this competitive fun event. Finalwertung surf stats of the MSO2009 KIDS: Platz Name Finalwertung 1st . Manuel Kronfelder 10,5 2nd. Markus Poitner 8,5 3rd . Georg Filser 7,3 MÄDELS: Platz Name Finalwertung 1st. Eliza Rieger 7,1 2nd. Franzi Bergmeier 6,7 3rd. Toni Deventer 4,5 JUNGS: Platz Name Finalwertung 1st. Gerry Schlegel 19,0 2nd. Rober Beetz 17,5 3rd. Simon Strangfeld