Far out on the Bjäre Peninsula, where the Swedish west coast narrows into a jagged finger pointing towards the Kattegat, lies a place called Dalen. There are no surf shops or board hire shops here, and you won't find it in glossy travel brochures. But for windsurfers and those of us who follow them with our cameras, Dalen is a legend quietly passed on. It is a place of power, solitude and light. Dalen lies directly on the open sea and is mercilessly exposed to the raw power of the wind and waves. On the really good days, the spot offers windsurfing conditions to rival any other in Europe - but with an unmistakable Nordic spirit. Rugged cliffs, deep pine forests and spray illuminated by the golden evening sun form the backdrop.
While the rest of the country is dancing around maypoles and sharing herrings and strawberries, a few dedicated windsurfers are chasing the wind here."
The location is difficult to reach and the conditions are even harder to predict. But that's exactly what makes it so special. For me as an action photographer, Dalen in midsummer is a dream come true. While the rest of the country is dancing around maypoles and sharing herrings and strawberries, a few dedicated windsurfers are chasing the wind here, and I'm chasing them.
Fascinating light and impressive silence
The light - oh, the light. Midsummer on the west coast of Sweden means that the sun barely sets. From early afternoon until well after 10 pm, the sky glows in soft shades of gold, silver and lavender. There is a long period when the sun is just above the horizon, casting a perfect, flat light that casts magic over every wave and sail. Each shot becomes multi-layered. A windsurfer taking to the air is not just a frozen moment of athletic performance, but is framed by the slow-burning midsummer dawn, the rolling sea and a horizon that never seems to get darker. Even the spray has personality in this light - it catches the glow and hangs in the air like smoke.
What makes Dalen even more impressive is its tranquillity. There are no crowds here, no city lights and no traffic in the distance. Just the sound of the wind, the water and the clicking of cameras. This requires patience, respect for nature and a kind of silent presence. And when everything comes together - a reliable weather forecast, a gifted surfer and the endless light of midsummer - the result is something very special. For me, Dalen is not just a place, but an experience. And it shines brightest in midsummer, both for those on the water and for us who are lucky enough to document it!
