January Feature: Photographer, Surfer And Farmer Naomi Dalsbø - Island Life On The Norwegian West Coast

In the beginning of 2023 I read an article about Naomi Dalsbø in Vogue Scandinavia. Naomis lifestyle and outlook on life impressed me and so I reached out to her to ask if I can feature her story as an inspirational interview for Helgabad, Naomi thankfully agreed.

Thank you Naomi for sharing part of your life story with Helgabad and for giving the ‘I want to learn how to surf crowd’ some guidelines and good advice.

Read my interview with Naomi here below.

Pia Knoester

Naomi lives in Ervik, Norway, a small village approximately 520 km northwest of Oslo. Ervik has 100 inhabitants, the peninsula Stadlandet has approximately 1900.

1. Who are you, tell us about yourself?

I'm Naomi, a child of '96, raised amid the wild beauty of an island on Norway's west coast. Moved to stadlandet in 2014 to surf and finish high school. Little did I know, this coastal haven would not only become my surfing sanctuary but also the place where I'd married with a local, taking on the responsibility of his family's farm. Now, with our lively three-year-old daughter in tow, we run the farm together, creating a life that seamlessly weaves the rhythms of agriculture with the ebb and flow of the ocean.

 This farming lifestyle affords me the flexibility to indulge in my passion for surfing almost whenever the waves call, in between the demands of the farm and daily chores. I also have a side business as a photographer. And my absolute favorite thing to shoot is surfboards and the surfing lifestyle. 

2. When did you start surfing, how old were you?

I started surfing at a surf school in Portugal in 2013 when I was 17. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the beginning of my surfing.

3. Where did you start surfing?

I got my first surfboard the winter I turned 17. Growing up on an island, I practiced paddling right in front of our house in the ocean. My friend and I would also go to the local surf spot when we had time, even though there were often no waves or they were really bad. At that time, we didn't even know that surf forecasts existed. The first time I tried surfing properly, like learning how to stand up on a surfboard, was in Portugal.

4. How long did it take you to feel like you are a surfer?

I never really thought about that. I definitely feel like a surfer now, especially since I know most of the surfers around in Norway; that comes with being in the game for a while. However, I think I felt a sense of belonging in the water and in the surf community right from the beginning.

5. Did someone else in your family surf?

Yes, my cousin actually used to surf as well. She went to Lapoint to surf in Hoddevik and also had a surfing experience in Australia. It happened in the same year I started surfing, so we went on a surf trip together to Hoddevik and slept in the back of the car before I headed to Portugal.

6. You live in a surf community in Norway, tell us about that?

I moved to Stadtlandet when I was 18 because of the community and the vibrant surf culture here. It's a lively rural area with a surf scene that I was drawn to, as I wanted companions to surf with. Many newcomers choose this place primarily for the waves. There are almost always waves (though not consistently perfect), and it offers a break from city life. A lot of people relocate here seeking a change, a respite from the hectic urban lifestyle. In this community, they can embrace nature, surf, hike in the mountains, and structure their days as they wish. The area isn't very large, and many arrive without their families, so we rely on each other for things like childcare and other support.

When I first moved here, I felt somewhat isolated because most locals my age had moved away for higher education, often never returning or only coming back after completing their studies. On Stadt, age doesn't matter much; we connect with those who share similar interests, and age becomes less relevant. It's something I find truly special—you become oblivious to age differences and form bonds based on shared passions.

7. Do you surf with friends, and family?

I primarily surf with friends rather than family. While I've tried to get my sister involved, she hasn't discovered the same passion for it as I have. But she still surfs sometimes. My husband used to surf during the initial years of our relationship. Interestingly, he had surfing as part of his school curriculum when he was growing up, back in the early days when surfing was still relatively new here on Stadt. However, he finds surfing to be too much hassle for the brief joy it brings (those few seconds standing on the wave). I have a couple of friends who are regular surf mates, and it's a lot of fun to have someone to share the excitement and geek out about surfing together. 

8. Do you prefer to surf in the cold? 

Not really, it's more out of necessity. I dream of surfing in tropical locations, but the cost of travel makes it challenging. There are some advantages to surfing here, though. It's less crowded, so sometimes I have the ocean all to myself. However, dealing with the wetsuit can be quite stressful. I always dream of surfing in a bikini with long, beautiful waves.

9. Do you also surf in warm waters?

Not frequently. I've surfed in warm waters on occasions such as in California, France, Portugal, Bali, all those places I´ve been a couple of times. I´ve also surfed Israel, and Australia. I would love to explore surfing in Mentawai and Japan in the future!

10. How many surfboards do you have?

I currently own three longboards—specifically, one Christenson 9`0 and two Creme surfboards, 9`4 and 9`2. Additionally, I have a midlength Gato Heroi 7`8, a shortboard 6`8, and a pink soft top for my daughter. I'm considering adding a twin fin shortboard to my collection soon!

11. What are your recommendations if one wants to learn how to surf? Is it possible to learn by going to camps once a year? How often should one surf in order to improve? 

I would highly recommend starting with a two-week surf school. I tried surfing a bit without an instructor before I went to Portugal, and the difference was like night and day. The tips and information you receive are incredibly helpful, and you actually progress faster with guidance. However, it's crucial to continue surfing regularly; you need to prioritize getting in the water to maintain your surfing and paddling skills. If possible, aim for at least once a week, especially in the beginning, even if it may feel a bit monotonous and progress seems slow.

Additionally, I suggest taking coaching sessions intermittently. I recently had a coaching session with Shannon Ainslie, and it was fantastic. He also offers video coaching, so even if you've been surfing for many years and feel like you've reached a certain level, I would still recommend it. There's always more to practice and learn to enhance your enjoyment of the sport. Here's a link to Shannon's website: https://www.surfcoach.no/. You can submit a video of yourself surfing and receive feedback on areas to focus on for improvement.

12.  Does surfing hurt?

Not really. However, in countries where you surf in a bikini or boardshorts, you might get rash on your stomach and inner thighs from the surfboard. In Norway, we don't face that issue because we wear wetsuits. Nevertheless, there is a risk of injury while surfing, such as hitting the bottom in rocky or reefy areas, falling off the board, or getting hit by someone else's board.

13. How long does a surf session last for you?

Typically, my surf sessions last around 30 minutes! Haha. At most, I'll go for 1 hour and 15 minutes. I rarely have 2-hour surf sessions now; the longest I've done was 3 hours, and that was mainly in the beginning.

14. What is a good surf outfit?

The ideal surf outfit depends on the season. Generally, I prefer something that's not too tight since it can be challenging to put on after a session when the skin is a bit damp. Also, something easy to put on quickly—I find lace-up shoes stressful in winter when my hands are frozen after a water session. So, slip-on shoes are a preference. A classic winter outfit for me includes Uggs, wool pants, a T-shirt, hoodie, and a winter jacket. I don't like wearing wool on my upper body as it tends to itch.

Follow Naomi on Instagram @volomii

See her work on her website

Naomi Dalsbø in surfponcho KAFTAN(EN) by www.helgabad.com