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Retro freeridersWhat's behind the new HiFly board - three questions for Gerhard Scharl

Tobias Frauen

 · 29.05.2025

The team behind the new HiFly board: Peter Bichler and Hinrich Stürken from HiFly with WeOne shaper Gerhard Scharl (from left)
Photo: Tobi Frauen
It's one of the eye-catchers at the surf festival: hardly anyone passes by the bright yellow freeride board in HiFly design, which is available for testing at the WeOne stand. The brand, which has been resurrected as a fashion label, actually presented a board with a retro look at the surf festival on Fehmarn. The board was developed together with WeOne shaper Gerhard Scharl, who we were able to ask a few questions about the HiFly Pro.

How did the collaboration with HiFly come about, as they have been active as a fashion label again for a few years now?

The collaboration came about at boot in Düsseldorf two years ago. We were exhibitors at the time and Hinrich approached me, had an idea in his head and asked if we would build boards for HiFly. It was immediately exciting for me - I started windsurfing on a HiFly board myself in 1991. There is an emotional connection to the brand that made the whole thing special for me. We then had several discussions and decided to set up a small freeride range together - with three board sizes to start with. That's how we wanted to start.

What exactly are the boards that you have developed together?

These are freeride boards, designed and built to glide easily and quickly. They offer comfortable control and are easy to jibe - in other words, old school, easy surfing. The focus is clearly on fun and easy handling. The boards are available either directly from WeOne or via HiFly. We do the shape, the construction, the complete quality control - everything with the same care as with our other boards.

Are more boards already being planned?

At the moment, we are first seeing how the relaunch of the brand is received. Then we'll decide how and whether to expand the range further.

"A legend reborn": this is what's behind HiFly's comeback

Tobias Frauen

Tobi is our digital man, he looks after the surf website and social media channels and gets on everyone's nerves every morning by asking for more pictures and videos. His surfing CV includes all the famous choppy water spots: As a teenager, he went from his home in Münsterland to the Ijsselmeer or the Brouwersdam, and during his civilian service on Sylt, after countless washes on the west side, the Königshafen became his preferred spot. After studying in Kiel and Heidkate, he was supposed to go to Hamburg “only for a short time”, but this short time has lasted for over ten years and has made him a “weekend warrior”. He goes on tour with his family and camper van as often as possible, often to the Baltic Sea, SPO or Denmark, but also likes to go to Finland, Sweden or Sardinia.

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