When the project SURGE first came across our desk a couple of months ago, the name Luke Slijpen wasn’t a familiar one… with the video still in its draft phase, it had the entire office instantly jazzed! Knowing this project was pieced together off a handful of trips between important contest fixtures simply validated Mr. Slijpen’s spot amongst SA’s most talented. So naturally, we reached out. Fresh off adding a new Vans sticker, we quizzed Luke on his balancing act between competing and personal projects, as well as the finer things in life—like designing clothes and enjoying after-hours cocktails at Blondies.
For those of us that don’t know you – introduce yourself!
My Name is Luke Slijpen, I’m 24 years old from Cape Town South Africa.
Talk us through the scene in your home town?
Cape town is very vibrant, especially in Summer… Summer is actually a bit too fun (laughs). The social life is non stop it’s pretty cool but in Winter it’s the opposite, it’s freezing and non stop swell, there’s never a dull moment in this place and it has the most beautiful scenery.
How does an average day pan out?
My average day would be meeting some mates at gym at 7am then grabbing a coffee with them after that. Straight to surfing somewhere, then drink more coffee (laughs) I think I’m addicted to coffee. Also we always have friends & people at our house so there’s always something going on. Missioning around, working with my parents and then a sunset surf at my home break. Then I either take it chilled at home or go do something with mates but that’s just when I’m home, I’m often on trips which is obviously very different.
How do you feel SA slips into the global surf scene?
It’s really not great to be honest, but it’s hard because the thought of moving overseas to pursue surfing is tough. South Africa is just so beautiful, with good uncrowded waves. It just seems to be very hard to get recognition internationally, or get invited on trips when you’re based so far away from where everything’s happening.
We’ve seen the likes of fellow regular surfers Jordy, Feb & Beeg perfect forehand spins in some of your waves with that signature wind blowing into the rights. Would you say SA has some of the best ramps going?
Cape Town definitely has some crazy ramps, I feel like there are waves where you could land something crazy or you just don’t land anything because they are such heavy solid sections, but it’s sick having opportunities to land something big. I’ve grown up surfing with Eli, and later on Beeg, Jordy and Mikey. We all live in a similar area so it’s been a good crew of us who are either trying to find big ramps or tubes.
Who are your role models in and outside of surfing?
Definitely my parents can’t not mention them, they are the best and so supportive and just cool people! Otherwise I’d say surfing wise I have a few surfers who stand out that I just enjoy watching. I’d say Yago, Dane Reynolds , Liam O,Brian, Tosh tutor, Noa Dean, Eli beukes and Mfeb. I just really enjoy the creativity in their surfing .
Do you have any other outlets outside surfing?
I love being with my mates and family, I enjoy training and doing active things, I also really enjoy designing clothing. Obviously being a pro surfer you’ve got to sacrifice a lot and you can’t always be going out with mates so I feel like when I’m not surfing or doing trips I just love being back with everyone.
Can you tell us a little bit more about designing clothes?
Well my mom and my granny were fashion designers so growing up I saw a lot of it, eventually when I got old enough, it was around 2020 when Covid hit, I wanted to learn more about it so I’ve been taught a fair bit from them and I just enjoy clothing and the creativity that comes from it. For future it would be cool to learn to make something from start to finish.
Talk us through SURGE which you’ve just released. When did you first start working on this project and how did it come about?
SURGE was all filmed in South Africa between my time on the challenger series. It was hard being on the challenger and to have the time to properly work on a project. This was filmed in the last year and half. I just collected these clips from around home. I first got on Vans around a year and half ago, and as I joined them I wanted to work on a short film. So from the beginning I was slowly just putting clips to the side. I’m excited for my next project because I’m going to have a lot more time to focus on doing trips, specifically to film.
Was filming the whole thing in SA an intentional move? Where did you travel to without giving too much away?
Yes it was. It definitely is a way of showing how lucky we are with waves here, and some of those waves especially the last section was only our crew out. About four of us. I’m pretty sure if that was nearly anywhere else it would have been packed. It was shot in Cape Town, Jbay, Durban, and West Coast.
You scored some serious waves in this. How many trips did you have to do to feel content with the output for this project?
A bunch of it was just from around home so it was just gathered over a few sessions, but otherwise most of the other sections were just one or two trips. The last section was just one trip and we just got lucky and scored.
Are you always travelling with the same crew? Both fellow surfers and production?
Yes most of the time I am with the same crew. We have a good crew of guys who are amped on missioning here, either I’m with Eli and Beeg, or my brother Connor and some other mates, as well as Jordy Smith when he’s home. And our mate Joshua who we call Noshie, he’s our filmer, he’s young and really good. I’m sure people are going to be seeing a lot more of him in the bigger scene… there are actually a few really good filmers in Cape Town, including Zac Clarke, Ian Thurtell, Alan van Gysen and Pete Beukes. So I do a good amount of filming with them too!
Can you give us an anecdote from one of the trips whilst shooting for this ?
The last section of the film might look like we just had perfect waves with no one out but it was definitely hard work to have that. We had to camp in front of the wave in 3 degree weather, and then get up and try get into our hooded suits and booties while shivering. And trying to warm up next to a small fire before going to surf in some 10 degree water. That’s just a simple background story of what we had to do to get those waves. It was worth it of course!
Talk us through the boards you’re riding in this film?
I ride Smith Shapes, normally a 5’7, the model called the Volume. That’s the board I rode most of the time until I got to the heavier waves, then I was on a 6’6 that was actually shaped for pipe a couple of years ago and ended up being the perfect board, but sadly it gave in at the end of the trip (laughs). It’s been super nice working with Graham and Jordy; Jords gives a lot of advice and is really locked into boards so we’re always chatting and improving equipment.
We saw you premiered this last Friday back home (which we’re sad we missed). Did you boys end up having a large one to celebrate? How’s the nightlife in those ends and what’s your go to haunt?
Ya’ it was such a vibe, we had a couple beers at the prem then gathered the troops and went to a bar. Summer in Cape Town at the moment is packed with people and foreigners so the nightlife is flaring, so if anyone likes a party I’d recommend Cape Town in summer (laughs). My go to bar would be Blondies, I’m sure those who have been to Cape Town will know of it, and if you don’t then I’d recommend it!
Now that you’ve put the filming part of this project to bed, what are your plans to see out 2025 and into 2026?
Well I’m doing one more challenger series event which is in Hawaii, then I’m just going to stay there for a while longer… around 2 months and just try get clips and good waves. I’ve then decided I’m not going to do contests next year. I’ve been wanting to freesurf and work specifically on video projects and go on trips for a long time now. I’ve always struggled to say no to going on the challenger and having the opportunity to travel to all these country’s and compete. I really want to give free surfing a good go next year and just do some sick trips.
Anyone you’d like to thank before we let you go?
Definitely. Big thank you to Vans, they have been amazing and just such cool people to work with., so thanks Warren, Umayr, Janine and the rest of the team!
Thanks to my family they are the best and most supportive, very thankful for them!
Also thanks to Smith Shapes (Graham, Jordy and Mikhail ) – couldn’t have asked for anything more from them!
One last bonus question – who’s more likely to burn you Brendon Gibbens or Eli Beukes?
(Laughs) You guys know how hard this question is because they both the nicest most respectful guys I know, but I’d have to say Mr Beukes!
