Susanna Klöti
Hey there,
they call me “Chicken” in the surf community, a name that sticks like wax on a board. My real name’s Susanna, but out on the waves, I’m just Chicken. It’s kind of a badge of honor, earned from those early days when I’d doze off on my board, still managing to ride the waves somehow.
My love for surfing goes back to 2015 Fuerteventura. It was Angie who let me paddle into the open shores of Cotillo Beach. Since then, I’ve been chasing waves across the globe. Longing for that feeling of freedom even when I’m landlocked in Lucerne, Switzerland. The cool thing about it? I find surfbuddies wherever life takes me.
For me surfing isn’t just about catching waves. It’s a lifelong lesson in patience and resilience. Every wipeout teaches me to pick myself up and paddle back out… well, most of the times.😉
When I’m not riding waves, you’ll find me at church, serving as a priest for the reformed church of Switzerland. And from this summer on, in Honolulu Hawaii. My job allows me to foster justice and equality within my community, just like the ocean teaches me to navigate life’s ebb and flow.
Catch you on the next wave, Chicken
Fun facts about Chicken
Describe yourself in a song:
“Sometimes I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging it clear, but whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be there” – (Incubus, Drive)
Yes, that fits me as chicken. You know how often I sit out in the open sea on my surfboard, masking the uncertainty and fear—either with loud singing or joking around with the people in the lineup. When the wave comes, I encourage myself: “If they are too strong, they are too weak!” With frantic paddling and a lot of determination, I often manage to catch the wave. This image reflects so many areas of my life… I let life and the world come to me. The more unexpected and adventurous, the more exciting it is for me. Whatever may come, I welcome it with open arms and make the best of it. I hope you do the same!
If NOMB Changes were a superheroine, what supernatural abilities would she have and how would she change the world?
NOMB Changes would have the power to alter physical reality. She could change the structure of objects and landscapes to remove obstacles or create shelters. Bringing nature back to its roots. Or simply putting a sea in many landlocked states so that everyone could benefit from the feeling of surfing the ocean waves. It’s a bit self-serving, of course, but yes, I would be thrilled!
What do you bring to NOMB Changes:
What deeply moves and often challenges me is how we handle our privileges in the Western world, especially here in Switzerland. I feel a strong urge to use my privileges meaningfully to help and support others. As a pastor, I am particularly committed to community engagement and striving for social justice. Additionally, I have a strong fondness for mischief and look forward to creating space for joy and carefree moments alongside a critical perspective on things. In the role of Changes, I hope to bring this mix of serious commitment and cheerful lightness to not only tackle challenges but also to promote joy and solidarity.
What puts you in a good mood when you’re in a bad mood:
I call my very best wakesurfing friend, let him know that I’m coming round as soon as possible and throw myself into the water and onto the wakesurfboard. His good vibes and the cold lake water make me feel alive again. Everything seems to be forgotten very quickly.
What do you wish you’d known earlier:
That life doesn’t have to be the way I imagined it for years… I can also spend my life in rental flats (without a princess castle), with a thousand loved ones (without children) and a best friend (without a spouse).
What surprises people when they get to know you better personally:
That pastors are also just human beings who love Schabernack just as much and also make their human mistakes.
