Hangloose Surfstream Open
Himlabadet’s Indoor Water Park Sundsvall, Sweden
- March 1, 2012
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- By Story/Photos By Lauren Holland and American Wave Machines, Inc.
New wave technologies have led Surf and Snow Mag to Sundsvall, Sweden for the Hangloose Surfstream Open on February 18, 2012. This competition allowed surfers from around the world to display their talents at venue host Himlabadet’s indoor water park facility where the surf is pumping year round in their standing wave machine, the SurfStream. A jam packed audience sat in amazement as they rooted on several of their favorite surfers tear up this artificial wave “They really put a show on for us!” exclaimed Martin Bylund, contest director of the Swedish Surfing Association.
Lauren McLean Holland of Florida, former east coast women’s surfing champion, took the gold in the women’s open division. Her approach of using more powerful surfing maneuvers outscored the local girls more snowboard style in the final. “It’s really amazing a machine wave can let you do similar turns done on real ocean waves.”, Lauren said after her free surf session before the event.
Gerry Schlegel of Germany, recent champion of the Surf and Style European Standing Wave Championships, won the men’s open with a fight to the finish against Sundsvall Swedish locals, as well as pro surfer Todd Holland, who was surfing on the machine for his first time. “It’s a cool experience to compete in my trunks while there is over three feet of snow outside.” Holland said in response to his visit to Sweden.
Odd Persson, of the Swedish national surf team, respectively won first place in the junior’s division.
Results:
Open Men 1. Gerry Schlegel, 2. William Åhlund, 3. Sebastian Hansen
Open Women: 1. Lauren McLean Holland, 2. Lina Bergqvist, 3. Maria Edqvist
Juniors: 1. Odd Persson, 2. Joel Åberg, 3. Gustav Kalm
