DAM7

The PWA is back in The Netherlands with amazing Freestyle and an epic DAM7 Festival

With the PWA returning to the Netherlands for the first time in fifteen years on the 8th September with the next installment of radical freestyle, we took the opportunity to catch up the event organizer, to gain their views ahead of this exciting event, which promises to be filled with unmissable entertainment. You can read the interview below.

PWA: You’re bringing the PWA back to the Netherlands for the first time in 15 years. How did you come up with the idea?


Reinder: “The initiative came from Zeil & Surf Centrum Brouwersdam. They asked me to create a boardsport event concept around the PWA World Cup in the Netherlands. My company - KEXcom.nl - creates experiences around brands and themes. A good example, created and designed by us, is the famous Heineken Experience in Amsterdam. So together we came up with this event concept.”



PWA: What kind of sports can the visitors expect at DAM7?


Reinder: “First and foremost a lot of windsurfing :) Besides that, there will be Cable Wakeboarding, SUP’, BMX/ Skate and the unique Waterjump! Visitors can buy an ‘Activity ticket’ in our ticketshop here, and experience all the different sports! Visitors only pay for the parties and for activities.”



PWA: You’re organizing a festival around the PWA. Why did you name it DAM7? 

Reinder: 
“The event is located at the Brouwersdam. This is an embankment of the famous Dutch ‘Delta works’ - more information can be found here - to protect the Netherlands from the sea, in Zeeland. The Brouwersdam is the 7th construction of the Delta works and that’s why it’s called DAM7.” 



PWA: What can people expect at DAM7 festival?

Reinder: “There will be a lot action, competition and demos in windsurfing. As already mentioned there will also be the opportunity to try/see wakeboarding, Tow-in Freestyle, BMX, SUP’n and the unique Waterjump. The Waterjump is 26 feet high! On the 7th of September, we will start the opening ceremonies with our special guest, Olympic Champion Dorian van Rijsselberghe. You can also enjoy a great variety of music with different DJ’s and bands playing throughout the week. Until the 14th September we have various parties, a movie screen on the water and much more! Check our website for all the parties.”



PWA: Why did you choose the area Zeil en Surfcentrum Brouwersdam to organize the DAM7 festival?


Reinder: “The area has great facilities and natural arena, so the audience can see the action closeup. The location is famous throughout Europe and attracts a lot of great windsurfers.”



PWA: How many people do you expect? 


Reinder: “That’s not easy to say, because it’s the first edition. But we hope to attract approximately 50,000 people over the week.”



PWA: What are your expectations about the festival in the future? 


Reinder: “We hope the event grows to be a famous fun & boardsport festival. Our first and foremost expectation is that we want introduce slalom to the event next year. Besides that, there are plans to build a permanent cable wakeboard track at the Zeil & Surfcentrum, which will also make it possible to organize wakeboard championships. In the past, I have organized Kiteboard Worldcups and maybe it’s possible to have one in the same week on the other side of the dam. Podersdorf is great example of that. So 7 days of action at the Brouwersdam every year!”



PWA: Which sailors are you looking forward to see in the Netherlands?


Reinder: “I hope to see all the riders and of course the top 10 of both the women and men.”



PWA: Which bands will be performing? 


Reinder:  "Baskerville, Jungle by Night, Maison du Malheur, Piñata, By the Rivers, The Pacific Riders, Paullie wants a cracker, Gregor Salto and more! We have a special kids performance of Djumbo on Wednesday afternoon - 11th September."

PWA: Thanks for your time Reinder and we look forward to seeing you next week for another epic PWA Freestyle event.

Don't miss a thing by tuning into www.pwaworldtour.com from the 8th September to see if anyone can beat Jose 'Gollito' Estredo (Fanatic / North) and Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / Gaastra / Mystic / Chris Benz / Maui Ultra Fins), who reigned victorious in the last freestyle event in Fuerteventura.