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CommunityEventInclusion
29. October 2024

Treasure box: Make A Wave 2024

There’s something undeniably powerful about the ocean. About riding waves. And about making change in this world. MakeAWave by SurfAid – 30 days of surfing a wave every single day combines a lot of it in one challenge of the heart. This September challenge was therefore a must-do for our NOMB Changers. As both Angie and Chicken live next to the ocean, they were determined to surf a day every day through September, all for a good cause. Angie was shredding in Fuerteventura and Galicia, while Chicken explore all the waves around Oahu, Hawaii. 

As NOMB Changes is an organization, which is deeply rooted in community, empowerment and inclusion it wasn’t a question for us to embrace this challenge „MakeAWave“. A movement by SurfAid, who helps people in remote surf areas of the world to bring clean water, healthcare and food security.
So guess what, it isn’t about riding waves in the water only, it’s about making changes far beyond the shore. Every wave surfed is a metaphor for the changes we want to create – a ripple effect that extends across our lives, our communities, and our world. Every person who takes part is making a commitment: To themselves, to the environment but especially to the people who need it most, people in remote surf areas of the world. And Chicken and Angie were so ready to make this commitment. 

Riding a wave – every single day

When you commit to ride a wave every day, you will ride a wave every day. Even if that means to head into the water all by yourself when the night has already creeped in. Even if it means by getting up around 5 o clock in the morning, to get that wave before going to work. Even if you don’t feel like surfing, you are going to surf. That makes you a grumpy chicken from time to time, but after the wave, you know it’s all worth it and you are like: Yes, this is EPIC! 

We realized very quickly that MakeAWave waves are hitting our hearts – it feels like that these waves that you surf have travelled miles to meet you. It feels like this special wave brings people together in so many ways. People who surf the waves, people who support the waves by donating, people who inspire in the lineup, and people from all these communities all over the world. That’s what we love. We truly think that is epic. So we did shred, as team members of the Shredders Team. We shred, every single day. 

This 30-day challenge wasn’t only a personal test of endurance, but also a chance to amplify voices, spread awareness, and invite others to get involved. Each wave is a small victory—against apathy, against doubt, and in favor of action. Because in the ocean, we are all equals, riding the same waves, facing the same currents, and sharing the same stoke. And what we love most, is a chicken stoke. 

So, why not take it on? For 30 days, we surfed not just for ourselves but for the world around us. And we got reminded of the power of community, the strength of our spirit, and the profound impact that even the smallest actions can have. Together with SurfAid as NOMB Changes, we’re not just making waves—we’re making a difference.

 

If you, too, believe in the positive impact of surfing, consider becoming a NOMB Changer yourself or donat to help us create unforgettable waves.

Become a NOMB Changer
Make a donation to help
By Chicken
CommunityEventInclusionTreasure box
15. August 2024

Treasure box: Surf Day Bern 2024 (community surf)

Hey,I’m Chicken, one of the co-founders of NOMB Changes, and I firmly believe that surfing is something everyone can do and enjoy.

The inclusive Surf day 2024 at Badi Köniz, organized in cooperation with the Reformed Church Köniz, was a big success. Numerous children and families gathered in bright sunshine to experience an afternoon full of fun and adventure. In our second edition we had even more people signing up than last year. 

The aim was to give all participants, regardless of their physical or mental abilities, the opportunity to get to know surfing and discover the joy of water sports.

Our enthusiastic team was full of anticipation and ensured that every child received the support they needed. From the first contact with the surfboard to balancing exercises in a balance area and the first waves on the water – the enthusiasm of the participants could be felt. The cheers, squeals and laughter were unmistakable throughout the pool area. We imagined that the biggest waves in the world were being surfed.

A surf day well spend in Bern

It was particularly pleasing to see how all our surfers, regardless of their individual abilities, took up the challenge and bravely ventured onto the surfboard.

An inclusive surf day for everyone 

Thanks to the professional instruction and sensitive supervision, even the youngest participants and those who were standing on a surfboard for the first time, were able to celebrate success.

The inclusive nature of the surf day ensured that no one was excluded – on the contrary: it was a day on which everyone had the opportunity to try surfing.

The cooperation with the Reformed Church Köniz also contributed significantly to the success of the day. Their support not only created the organizational framework, but also a space in which values such as cohesion, acceptance and the joy of togetherness were lived.

The surf day at Badi Köniz was more than just a day event – I believe it was an experience that all participants, young and old, will remember. Definitely for us at NOMB Changes!

This day proved once again that inclusion is not just a goal, but a living reality that creates joy, cohesion and positive energy.

If you, too, believe in the positive impact of surfing, consider becoming a NOMB Changer yourself or donat to help us create unforgettable waves.

Become a NOMB Changer
Make a donation to help
By Chicken
CommunityTreasure boxWorkshop
20. August 2023

Treasure box: Surf Event Bern 2023 (community surf)

Juhu, I’m Chicken, one of the founders of this great association and the brain behind this surf event in Bern.

I live in Switzerland, in beautiful Lucerne to be precise, and work here as a pastor at the Reformed Church. We pastors know each other across parishes, and so some time ago I was asked by the parish of Köniz and invited to organize a surf day for families with children and young people together with them. My reputation as a surfer and founder of NOMB Changes probably precedes me.

A day should be organized on the subject of waves of life, connected to the important values ​​of equality and equal opportunities. On a warm August day, NOMB Changes was a guest in the municipality of Köniz, in the beautiful Swiss city of Bern.

Reunion at the setting up the surf event

In the morning I was up early, the anticipation of finally seeing the NOMB Changes team again and working together was so great. Since the four of us (Annette, Angie, Doro and I) all live in different places or countries, every meeting is a gift and is celebrated.

Our reunion in the parking lot of the public swimming pool was correspondingly intense. Lots of hugs, laughter and, of course, a little bit of Schabernack could not be missing. In order to prepare and coordinate the surf event in peace, we met a few hours beforehand. Together with Pastor Philipp Kohli we built up and started the surf day motivated.

Get on the boards and let’s go

Shortly after the first balance boards, pedalos and other balancing devices were set up on the square, the first children were already balancing across the pool square, with beaming faces and filled hearts. The event hadn’t even officially started yet.

You can imagine our anticipation. NOMB Changer Annette was tireless in helping children to balance, providing information and spreading good cheer. And before you know it, the surf event was in full swing.

Equal opportunities in water and on land

It was particularly pleasing that many girls and young women felt attracted to surfing. Girls of all ages enthusiastically romped around the balance landscape and queued up to start paddling on the surfboards in the pool. Fears and insecurities of being in the water were addressed and overcome, proud eyes twinkled around us. Seeing that confirmed to me right away that we can make something important happen here.

We believe in equal opportunities and inclusion, values ​​that are reflected in all our projects. When we saw a young boy watching us with his mother at the edge of the pool, while his sister was busy paddling through the pool, we approached the two and invited them to take part. For us, disabilities, whether physical or mental, are no reason not to be able to enjoy surfing. On the contrary. We are convinced of the positive impact that surfing has as a therapeutic tool. The happy squeaking of our surfer confirmed this once more.

Great fun on the surfboards

Equal rights and equal opportunities were talked about and discussed with interested parents while surfboards were gliding over the water next door. Our NOMB changers in the water, surf coaches Angie and Lindis, were not given a break. The motivation of the children and young people could be felt and all courses were fully booked. Spontaneously interested children were of course also allowed to go on the board for a short time, and so there was a lot of paddling in the pool for beginners.

On the meadow next to the balance landscape, the first children and young people practiced the pop-up, which gave them the perfect preparation for surfing in the water, so that they could really perform on the surfboard in the pool. But even without pop-up training, all participants made it onto the surfboard or SUP. At the end of each course, everyone was allowed to squeeze onto the SUP together and do a few fun laps through the pool.

A happy team of NOMB Changers

As confirmation that they had been participating, everyone received a NOMB Changes sticker tattoo, which many children were particularly proud of. Siii, the NOMB Changer Community is constantly growing. In addition, there were Polaroid photos by star photographer and NOMB Changer Miris, who captured important moments and memories for the participants of this surfing event.

A relaxed atmosphere, beaming faces, laughter and shouts of joy filled the Badi with lots of positive vibes. Especially when, thanks to a rubbish campaign, the public pool was freed from the little rubbish that had been collected by the participating young people. The preservation of creation is also important to us in the outdoor pool! The prize was a NOMB Changes shirt, which was worn proudly.

A successful surf event far away from the sea

An unforgettable experience for young and old. Of course, surfing is not the same outside the sea, but even without waves, the sport of surfing can move a lot. This wonderful day showed me again that surfing is an important tool to initiate lasting changes. Through the connection with surfing and nature, in the individual and in society.

Big thanks goes out to the local pastor Philipp. Thanks for your trust and support, we feel honoured to have joined you and your community.

By Chicken
NOMB Changes Surfday in Bern
CommunityEvent
4. August 2023

News: Surf Event fun at Badi Köniz (Bern, Switzerland)

Some time ago, NOMB Changes received the request to accompany a surf event in a public outdoor pool with families and children, in cooperation with a Swiss church community. How could we say no to that?

Now the time has come, and on August 9th, NOMB Changes will visit people in their everyday life, at the outdoor pool in the Bern region, Switzerland. On this afternoon, the local children and young people will have the opportunity to get in touch with the sport of surfing in “landlocked Switzerland” and to get to know the surfboard and surfing in general.

Surf event outside the ocean

Children and young people have the opportunity to try out paddling on the surfboard, or to practice and perfect the pop-up on the surfboard. There is also a balance board area and information about the projects of NOMB Changes, as well as some cool goodies to take away!

Creating awareness

In order to draw attention to the problem of polluted beaches, we are also planning a Fötzeli campaign (garbage collection campaign) at the pool area. Not because the outdoor pool is dirty, but because it’s amazing how much rubbish can still be found in this place. Through to this surf event, NOMB Changes would like to sensitize families with children and young people to women’s empowerment, inclusion and environmental protection.

A surfing pastor with heart

NOMB Changes founding member Chicken was asked three questions by the Reformed Church in Switzerland:

Why are you involved with NOMB Changes?

As a Reformed pastor, the preservation of creation is close to my heart. Our habitat, the ocean, covers most of our planet and is unfortunately affected by immense pollution. With NOMB Changes and our educational standards, I can counteract the problem with small steps.

A second reason is the fact that the line up in the water is relatively male dominated. Unfortunately, equality is not an issue on many levels in the water. As a pastor, I would like to do this in the water as well.

What do expect from the surf event in the Badi Köniz?

First and foremost, I hope that thanks to our campaign, young girls will also be able to get excited about surfing and confidently find their place in the line ups of the oceans and the world and feel good about it.

May we call you surf pastor? Or to put it another way, what is the connection between surfing and working as a pastor for you?

Of course – such a designation honors me, although I’m not a surfing pro myself. ? As mentioned above, equality and the preservation of creation is my top priority as a pastor. I am committed to this in my church work, and this should also be reflected again and again in my personal life. Jesus walks on water and I stand with both feet on the waves of life.

Looking forward to a great surf day

We are really looking forward to this surf event in Bern. We will report about this unique experience on our social media channels. In another blog post after the event you can find out what happened and be inspired by a few photos.

If you would like to support us for more important events like this (and many more at the sea) in the future, we would be honored to welcome you to our tribe of NOMB Changers.

By NOMB Changes