We caught up with local hero and photo extrodinaire Krzysiek Jedrzejak to get a little insight into Poland’s surf scene, as well as intel on Dylan Graves’s recent visit. Wasted Talent in Conversation with Krzysiek Jedrzejak.
“Basically as my list continues to grow of new spots to check out, Hel Poland seemed to stick out to me on that list. I checked it out on Google maps and the peninsula looked like it had a lot of potential. I also had amazing photos that Krzysztof had sent for reference and seemed to have his finger on the pulse of what swells are good. So to me that had all the right ingredients to pull trigger. Along with me never having been to Poland. I think that’s a big one to me as you don’t get to be a ‘pro surfer’ for long and my goal is to see as many new places as possible along with getting inspired in new ways by new people, cultures, food and music.” –Dylan Graves
(WT) We’re unfamiliar with the Polish surf scene. Are you able to enlighten us on when and where it initially kicked off along your shores?
(KJ) As far as I know Polish people started riding waves here in the mid 90’s. But I also heard the story about two German windsurfers who visited Hel Peninsula during the communism (early 80’s). There was no wind and the waves were pumping – a story from that trip was printed in some old school windsurf magazine. I personally started surfing Polish waves in the late 2000’s, and a few years later it became a year round adventure. In 2015 I started my photo project Baltic Surf Scapes. It’s all about surfing in Poland. I try to promote it both locally and globally.
We see the Polish champs taking place in Dylan’s video. A lot of countries without world class waves on their coastline often head to more favourable coasts overseas. What do you think the importance is of keeping it local? How long has that contest been going?
The Polish Champs have been running for almost 20 years, ever since the pioneers Jurek Kijkowski and his crew of Polish Surfing started an event called ‘Polish Surfing Challenge’. A few years ago the Polish Surf Federation was officially registered and from that moment it’s definitely become something bigger. I know that the Czech Republic or Slovakia chose to run their nationals on ocean waves in Portugal or France. It’s not an easy decision when you have access to the sea which can produce ocean-like waves from time to time. If you’re lucky it can be an epic event at your local playground, but sometimes you have to wait months for waves to show up. I would still always keep it local.
The Hel peninsula looks very unique. Is that where you are based or did you head there for this swell window?
Hel Peninsula is for sure unique and it’s the most popular place for surfing in Poland. There are spots suited for almost all wind/wave directions. There is harbour shelter, wooden posts and plenty of sand banks around every corner. I’m from Gdańsk originally but last year I moved to the countryside. My place is about 1 hour to the nearest spot.
On this trip with Dylan, the forecasts were definitely the best for Hel Peninsula. I also wanted to show him one of our secret spots; an amazing place and proper barrel machine but it was to risky. We could have missed the best session of the trip if we decided to go there. That’s exactly what surfing in the Baltic is. If you see the waves, you should jump straight in. There’s not much time for making decisions. Especially in winter time when you have just 6-7 hours of daylight!
How many times on average would you see the spots around there breaking through the Winter?
It depends on the year. You can surf decent waves in winter 2-3 times a week.
Fellow Baltic surfer Freddie Meadows seems to dedicate a large chunk of his Winter chasing waves around the Baltic Sea. No easy feat! Do you and your crew venture much to explore other parts of the Baltic for waves or do you prefer to head to easier destinations with more consistent surf?
Freddie is a true legend and I love his Baltic adventures. In Poland we also push our exploration to the max and we love it. Our coastline is totally different than in Sweden. We have no reefs or points but a few times a year you can score barrels like in Hossegor on your own. Discovering new spots, giving them names and keeping some only for a few is an amazing feeling. Especially in the Baltic which is so fickle.
We’ve also travelled and surfed other parts of the Baltic Sea and are aware of how fickle it can be. How much warning did you have to give Dylan that the conditions were lining up?
Dylan knows the rules of that game. When it comes to forecasting waves in Poland I trust myself and I’m glad that Dylan did too. My goal was to chose a forecast with at least 2-3 days of waves even if it wasn’t 10/10. Of course there was a lot of stress on my side making the call but even if it hadn’t been as epic as it was, I’m sure we would still have had a great time.
How did Dylan’s visit for this video first come about? Had you been in touch for a long time prior?
It all started after he released the Weird Waves episode from Great Lakes. I was so psyched about that one, and I left the comment on his IG post saying that one day he should visit the Baltic Sea. He said it would be rad and asked when. That was back in 2019, and we’ve since chatted about waves in Poland.
Did other local Polish surfers believe he was actually going to show up and surf in your waters?
I don’t think so. I used to say to them that I’m in contact with Dylan, and felt sure that one day he would taste the Polish waves and pierogi.
What do you think most surprised Dylan, besides the quality of waves on his trip to Poland?
The weather itself which actually surprised me too. We had 3 sunny days at the end of a golden Polish Autumn. Usually at that time of year we could chase waves in darkness with rain or even snow. I’m also sure he liked the food. Poland is well known for it’s amazing cuisine. Ask him about the pierogi and there will be a big smile on his face.
How would you say the conditions for the last section bare up for polish surf on a scale of 1-10?
I would say it was strong 7. There are places where it can get better and for sure we will get it next time!
If someone wanted to hop on a flight to Poland tomorrow in search of waves how welcoming would the other surfers be?
We’re really friendly and welcoming nation, especially the surfers. We’re also stoked to see when someone rips here. It shows the potential of our waves… just remember to give that person my number and I will try my best to find those Baltic treasures together!
