The last weekend of September transformed Freiburg into a surfing hotspot: 70 athletes competed for the Rapid Surf crown, accompanied by a live stream, podcast, and a festive mood.

On September 27th and 28th, the German Surfing Association (DWV) hosted the sixth German Championship in Rapid Surfing, presented by MINI, in Freiburg. Over 70 athletes showcased their skills at Irie Surf, battling for the national Rapid Surf titles—all broadcast live via stream and podcast. For two days, thrilling competitions, spectacular tricks, and urban surf vibes captivated fans both onsite and online.

The finals on Sunday drew over a thousand spectators, while numerous fans followed the event live via the stream. Simultaneously, the live podcast „FLUT & FLOW“ by Spontent covered the event directly from the wave, offering exciting insights and voices from the scene. Maximilian Lex made German Rapid Surf history: He landed the first Kerrupt Flip in a contest, electrifying the audience.

„It’s an indescribable feeling; it was so much fun here in Freiburg,“ cheered the old and new German Champion, Valeska Schneider. „I was able to show everything I wanted to in my run. The level of the girls is rising every year, and I’m super happy that I could defend my title.“

Lennard Weinhold, who also took the men’s title for the second consecutive year, was delighted: „It was an incredible final with my best friends, and the wave is ultra-cool. Defending my title is very, very special; I am incredibly proud. All the hard work has paid off!“

Rapid Surfing as a New European Discipline

The DWV has been organizing German Championships in this young sport since 2019. The event once again confirmed that Rapid Surfing is on the rise in Germany and Europe. The European Surfing Federation has already announced that it will host the first European Championship in Rapid Surfing in 2026.

„This is a milestone; Rapid Surfing is now officially a European discipline,“ said Michael Zirlewagen, President of the DWV. „Together with many other dedicated people, clubs, and federations from several European countries, we worked hard on this—and have taken a significant step toward the professionalization of the sport at the European level.“

Urban Surf Feeling in the Heart of Freiburg

The venue was Irie Surf, the new surf location with a standing wave that offered perfect conditions for both beginners and experienced surfers. In addition to the competitions, the live podcast, community events, and urban atmosphere created a unique event feeling—Freiburg truly became the hotspot of the German Rapid Surf scene.

About Rapid Surfing

Rapid Surfing differs from traditional wave surfing: the wave remains stationary—either artificially generated or in a river—allowing for spectacular tricks in a confined space. The sport combines elements from surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding and thrills spectators with its high athletic dynamism.