Thilde Sofie Rasmussen makes Danish surfing history
A breakthrough moment for Danish longboarding
When the European Longboard Surf Tour reached its final stop in Portugal, Rasmussen arrived as one of the season favorites. The 24 year old surfer from Klitmøller, a town widely known as Cold Hawaii because of its challenging North Sea waves, had already made headlines earlier in the summer by winning the European Longboard Championships.
Her performance marked a milestone for Danish surfing, a sport that until recently had only a small competitive presence on the international scene.
According to the European Surfing Federation, she became the first Dane to capture the overall tour title after Sunday’s results were finalized.
A weekend shaped by uncertainty
Rasmussen’s path to the trophy turned unexpectedly dramatic. She was eliminated earlier than expected in the second round, a setback that left her dependent on how the remaining heats unfolded. For her to hold on to the top ranking, the Spanish surfer Julieta Rodriguez Villamil needed to be stopped before the semifinals, and France’s Maya Glasenapp had to miss out on winning the final.
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As the final heats played out under shifting Portuguese conditions, both results fell in Rasmussen’s favor. Only after the last horn sounded did she learn she had secured the overall tour.
Speaking afterward, she described the emotional pressure of the closing days. “I am so happy and grateful, and I honestly don’t quite understand it. It was so nerve racking, and it has been the craziest 48 hours of my life. Winning both the European Championship and the tour is just crazy,” she said.
Cold Hawaii’s rising competitive profile
Rasmussen’s achievement is part of a broader shift within Danish surfing. The Cold Hawaii community, based along the northwest coast, has grown from a local surf spot into a recognized training environment. Over the past decade, the area has attracted international coaches, hosted European events, and provided year round conditions that have helped Danish surfers develop skills previously associated with warmer climates.
Her victory follows another milestone week for Denmark, as stand up paddle surfer Christian Andersen won a world championship just days earlier. For a country better known for handball and cycling, the recent string of surf results represents a changing competitive landscape.
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A season that reshapes expectations
With two European titles in 2025, Rasmussen has positioned herself as one of the leading figures in European longboarding. Her success places new attention on Denmark’s potential in a sport where northern countries rarely dominate. For the Cold Hawaii community, it is further proof that its long term investment in coaching, infrastructure, and athlete development is beginning to pay off.
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