When Helene first arrived at Copenhagen Surf School, she was feeling low on energy. Over the past few months, she had been experiencing both physical and mental symptoms of stress. But at the concrete bunker at the far end of Amager Strandpark, she found exactly what she needed. "In many ways, I'm a different person now. I've gone from filling my day with all sorts of things that suck energy from me to putting myself first," says Helene. At surf school, she discovered that wind, water and high skies make stress fade into the background. At the same time, she found a sanctuary and a handful of people who became some of her closest friends in just a few months. That's why it's a sanctuary she returns to as often as she can.

"I can't believe I didn't know this place existed"
It was anything but relaxing when Helene first set foot on the concrete in front of Copenhagen Surf School. Her work, study and appointments with friends had piled up so much that it had started to take its toll on her body. In fact, she wondered if she could even manage to fit another activity into her calendar. But Helene has always loved water. So when she found an old GoDream gift card in her desk drawer, she decided to spend it on a Stand Up Paddle course. And one May day last year, she suddenly found herself surrounded by people, surfboards, beer and music. "I was a bit overwhelmed at first because there were so many people. But people were just relaxed in a completely different way than in the rest of Copenhagen, and it was very contagious," she says. Although Helene had to take a few deep breaths first, she got out on the water. And suddenly it was as if her shoulders lowered all by themselves. 

And as of this year, she's even got a job at the surf school. Having met both her boyfriend and some of her closest friends in the bunker community, it's a natural place for them to meet to surf, skate and party. "The best party I've ever been to was at surf school. I've never experienced being able to dance in the open air all night, and people just wanted the night to go on," she says. Although Helene is not proud to admit it, sometimes she even forgets her time at surf school and misses her other appointments. But if you ask her, it's a small price to pay. Now she knows exactly where to go when her brain gets overwhelmed. And it gives her new strength to be the person she really wants to be. "I'm actually doing more things now than I did last spring, but I feel great about it. Because now I listen to my intuition and it tells me that I need to be out on the water and among people," she concludes.