Alena Ehrenbold - Surf Film Director & Freesurfer
Land-locked Switzerland isn’t the first place you would expect to find a female freesurfer … but then there is a lot about Alena Ehrenbold that is unexpected. Transitioning from university lecturer to surfing for Switzerland, becoming a sponsored freesurfer and most recently, directing surf movies, Alena has dream-chasing down to an art form! Ambitious, fearless, entrepreneurial and all with an infectious smile and ample surf stoke, Alena is not afraid to take the leap into the unknown and do things more than a little differently. Currently in the process of directing her third surf movie, we catch up with Alena in the throes of surf coaching in the Mentawai’s.
Firstly, where are you from?
I’m from Lucerne, Switzerland
Where do you live now and how did you end up there?
I quit my fix job as an economics and law teacher three years ago. Now I’m following the waves and the surfing projects around the world.
Being from the landlocked country, how did your passion for surfing start?
At the age of 21 I had a boyfriend who surfed. He told me “either you surf as well or you take pictures of me”. So I decided to surf rather than stay at the beach.
How did you make the jump from surfing as a passion, to freesurfer, freelance surf journalist and later film producer & director?
During the six years of teaching, I got more and more offers for surf projects (World Surfing Games with the swiss team, film projects, advertising campaigns) and more and more support from sponsors. So at one stage I decided to quit my job and try make a living out of it.
What drew you to film production and directing?
I started to publish surf and travel articles, but I always wanted to give my readers more information. I was looking for a more complete way to transfer the feelings, the vibe, the adventure to them. As I’m not gifted with cameras, I was looking for film makers and finally I met the right people and started to produce/direct surf films.
Tell us about the first surf film you produced, “I Wanna Surf”.
This was the first documentary about the Swiss surfing community. We are landlocked but there are many passionate surfers around – we even surf rivers. I thought this could be interesting to do a documentary about.
What was the inspiration behind directing and producing your second film “Blue Road”?
When I was deciding, for myself, what role surfing should play in my life, I realized that there are many other people with the same question. Especially girls. So I decided to realize “Blue Road” and tell my story alongside the story of Rachel from Australia and Annabel from France.
What’s the best thing about what you do, and what is the most challenging?
It’s the surfing. There is so much more to learn – it’s sooo exciting and sometimes so frustrating.
It must be amazing to watch your films on the big screen! Which film showing location sticks out for you most from your film tours?
The very first time – the world premiere on a big screen with audience- is always really special! And then all the festivals have their own charm. I love the outdoor festivals, but there is always the risk with the weather conditions.
Unfortunately there are not many women in the surf film industry! What advice would you give other women diving into the surf film world, particularly producing and directing?
Just do it! There is nothing more to be afraid of than any in other business.
You are also on the Swiss surf team, and are currently ranked number one in Switzerland. How did you get into competing and what has been your favourite event so far?
In 2008 I participated for the first time at the Swiss Championships as I was there with friends who were competing. As there were not enough girls to complete the heat sheets, I agreed to participate. This was a lot of fun, so I continued to do the Champs and at some stage I qualified for the Swiss surfing team. The best competition so far was the World Surfing Games in Panama in 2011. But I love big waves and tubes and I’m not a great competitor, so I do a lot more freesurfing stuff than comps.
What are you working on now & what’s up next for you?
At this very moment, I’m coaching five girls in Indonesia, that’s always a lot of fun. I’m currently working on my third film – it will be a film about a French shaper/surfer. It should be coming out in May or June. And as I was working a lot during the last few month (winter in Europe) on my laptop in Switzerland, it is time to get back in the water and back in shape for this surfing season!
When and how did your passion for surfing start?
When I was 21, beginner course in Portugal as my boyfriend at the time was already a good surfer.
What does surfing mean to you, and how has it changed your life?
My whole life is created around surfing at the moment – surfing changed literary everything in my life.
Favourite surf location?
Indonesia / Mentawais and Sumbawa
Most memorable session?
There are too many…
Favourite surfer?
Beside the pros, I’ve met so many incredible stylish, radical, smooth surfers that nobody knows, so it would be a mix of all those people. But in general, the surfer next to me who let me have a really good set wave are my favorite ones.
Biggest surf mission or most hardcore surf spot you've visited?
Tow in session with Ibon Amatriain in Spain and winter swells in Portugal
Magic board?
My retro twinfin of Robin Goffinet (ROB Surfboards) and a 5’9 Lost Myhem that both second hand and snapped at Sumbawa.
What are you known for?
For smiling a lot and being straight forward/honest with people.
Who or what is your greatest inspiration?
Nature, people and their stories.
If you could be someone else for a day, who would it be?
I wouldn’t care who I would be, I would be just so curious to be any other person for a day!
Guilty pleasure?
Home-made cake, wine and beer
What is the greatest thing you have learned in your life?
To be myself.
What brings you the most happiness in the world?
Love
What are you most grateful for?
To have a great family and true friends.
Where can we find you online?
Website: | www.alenaehrenbold.ch |
www.blueroadsurffilm.com | |
Instagram: | @alenaehrenbold |
Facebook: | Alena Ehrenbold |
Posted by: Emma Gibbons, on March 14, 2018
Categories: Interviews
Latest Posts
Craig Sims - White Horses & Surfing Life Publisher
Luke Kennedy - Editor of Tracks Magazine
Simon ‘Swilly’ Williams - Surf Photographer
Jarra Campbell - the Bondi Alchemist
Greg Gordon - Owner of CR Surf
Shayne Nienaber - Surf Photographer
Alexa Hohenberg - Owner of Still Stoked
Christine Deveney - TapaReef Owner & Creator
Russell Ord - Surf Photographer
Richard Kotch - Surf Photographer
Categories
Interviews
Articles
Videos
Press Releases
Quiz
Archive
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
November 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013