10 Questions with Sylven van den Boogaart
10 Questions with the project manager of Groundswell Aid, Sylven van den Boogaart.
1.) Full Name, Location & CS Chapter?
My full name is Sylven van den Boogaart, I live in Dordrecht, and I’m part of CS Holland. I work for Groundswell Aid, we have an amazing team where we work to make a difference in the most disadvantaged surf communities around the world.
2.) How did you come to know and follow Christ?
My conversion to Christianity or becoming a follower of Christ wasn’t crazy or radical. When I was a young kid I always went with my parents to church, which is quite a traditional church. Around the age of 14 I saw the way God was moving in people’s lives and how much hope you gained form being a follower of Christ. The more I travelled, the more I learned from God and the more I wanted to follow Him.
3.) Tell us a bit about where you’re from and your local surf spot.
I live in Dordrecht which is the first city in Holland with city rights, so as you can imagine it’s a historic town which I find beautiful. Dordrecht is a 40 minute drive from the nearest surf break, but also the best wave in Holland called ‘Maasvlakte’ Google it :).
I started surfing when I was 11 in Ouddorp which is an hour’s drive from Dordrecht, where my family has a summer house. I’m 23 now and from when I started surfing I became good friends with the other groms who are all locals, so over 12 years of lot’s of waves and fun I can call myself a Semi-Local.
I work in the season at the local surf shop. In summer we don’t get too many big swells but we in Holland learn how to make to most out of nothing in summer. In winter we get our best swell and yes it’s freezing cold... 5/4mm hooded flash bomb, gloves 5mm and 7mm boots are a must, but it’s worth it!
4.) Your favorite verse and why you love it:
There are many but I will pick this one bible verse - Job 23 verse 10: ‘But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure gold.’
In my life, I had to make choices without knowing where it will lead me, and I can tell you - I like to be in control. And when I’m in control I’ve experienced many challenges (tests)...
What I love about this verse is that Job proclaims that - I will come out as pure gold. And in verse 11 he says: For I have stayed on God’s path I have followed his ways and not turned aside.
Job is such a great example for me. His commitment and his faith is so inspiring!
5.) One piece of advice you can give to your fellow Christian Surfers?
One piece of advice would be ‘find your joy in the Lord, and share it in and outside the water’ :).
6.) Funniest moment serving at an event.
I did the CSALT programme 2018 in J-Bay, South Africa, and we served at some QS events. It was always a blast to serve at these events with the CSALT Crew and the officials.
It’s been such a while so I can tell you exactly a moment, but in the judging tower, it was always really fun to be spotting during a slow heat, because the judges are really making fun we had many laughs up there.
7.) What verse has God got frothing on your heart at the moment.
1 Thessalonians 5 verse 16-18: Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
8.) The craziest situation you ever found yourself in while surfing?
This was during a surf session in East London, I was surfing with my mate Tristan at Nahoon Corner.... Suddenly! Everyone in the lineup started sprint paddling past me from the bottom of the break and I was like what is going on??
Tristan told me to “Just paddle!”... I was like, why? As I paddled up I looked behind me and maybe a 50-100m away I saw this fin moving around in the water I freaked out but try to act normal... when everything was ‘safe’ I took the first wave that came through - a crazy double up! I somehow made the drop and went straight back to shore!
9.) What does it mean to be a Christian Surfer?
First, of all, being part of this amazing big family on mission, it keeps me going and inspires me to be a light and step out in faith in the surf communities I walk into.
For me being a surfer and being a Christian I am exposed to places a fellow Christian from my church will never be exposed to in his life. And I am aware of the privilege of being accepted in these places.
So for me, it means that I go to the beach parties and have a dance and a beer, say hi, give compliments in the lineup (which isn’t always easy.), build solid friendships and relationships, and share the love of Jesus and who Jesus is for me.
10.) Tell us about your best barrel?
Okay my best barrel, I’m not a radical surfer and in all honesty, I try to get pitted but mostly I get smashed and hardly make them, I can tell you my best barrels are the fun grab rail head dips on a soft-top :)