“This will never work,” thought Jacob Lassen. He stood in the freezing waters of the North Sea, holding a blind girl on a surfboard, listening to the waves.

Just hours earlier, she had asked if he could teach her to windsurf.

“No,” he had instinctively replied. Yet, here they were, listening to the waves. “If they sound like this—splash, splash, splash—you’re heading in the right direction,” he told her.

That moment would prove pivotal—not just for her but for the two 18-year-old instructors in the water. It was here that the idea for a surf school for people with disabilities was born, sparked by her question:

Can anyone learn to surf, regardless of physical or mental disabilities?

Jacob Lassen let go of the surfboard.

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FRIENDSHIP AS A (BUSINESS) FOUNDATION

It was never part of the plan for Jacob Lassen and Robert Rohwedder, who founded Blue Spirit in 2019, to work with people with disabilities, start a surf school, or even become friends.

Their meeting in 2017 was a “meet-cute” straight out of a movie: a fateful encounter that sparked an unexpected and profound bond.

“I was working at a surf school by the North Sea, and one day, I noticed this guy standing by the gear. When Robert introduced himself, I felt an instant connection,” says Jacob Lassen.

Their friendship began in a way one might imagine for two surfer dudes: hitting the waves together, partying, and traveling.

“We surfed, partied, and met lots of cool girls. It was the best summer of our lives,” says Jacob.

But soon after, Jacob lost his mother, marking a turning point for both their friendship and their life paths. Instead of turning to old friends, Jacob sought solace and guidance from Robert.

“Robert is my rock. You tell your parents you love them. You tell your partner. You tell your best friend. And Robert is that person for me,” Jacob says.

This friendship not only deepened but also became the foundation for their life’s work.

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“My mother told me on her deathbed to make sure I did something good with my life. So Robert and I began discussing whether we could make a difference for others in the element where we feel most at home: the sea,” Jacob explains.

While traveling in Morocco with a view of the ocean, the name “Blue Spirit” emerged, along with the heart of their vision:

The two friends wanted to create a surf school for people with disabilities.

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'A lot of mistakes'

While it might sound like the typical tale of two young guys deciding to start a band or open a bar, with passion but little execution, Jacob and Robert took a different approach.

“When we got back from Morocco, Robert called me and said, ‘I found an apartment, so I’m moving,’” Jacob recalls.

What began as a whirlwind of enthusiasm became a slow, steady process. Launching during the COVID-19 crisis, the founders worked over full-time jobs in factories for a year to save up for equipment, a website, and the launch of their new company.

Initially, Blue Spirit operated as a mobile surf school, the only option their budget allowed.

“We washed wetsuits in our showers at home and lived as frugally as possible to make it work. But we always held onto the belief in why we were doing this—why Blue Spirit was important,” says Robert Rohwedder.

Their unwavering belief in Blue Spirit’s purpose kept them going, even through challenges like mismatched investors, poor finances, and wrong decisions.

“We’ve made so many mistakes. But our approach has been to try new things, learn from what doesn’t work, and pivot. It’s okay to hit a wall as long as you don’t keep hitting the same one. Without those mistakes, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” says Robert Rohwedder.

Two Locations and 10,000 Participants

Today, wetsuits no longer hang in their home bathrooms but on racks in Blue Spirit’s backroom. The shop, located in Ebeltoft with a view of Aarhus Bay, sells branded merchandise.

This is one of two locations; the other is in Hvide Sande. Over the past four years, Blue Spirit has hosted 10,000 participants, including 2,000 people with disabilities.

“There’s no doubt that our courses for people with disabilities are the core of Blue Spirit. Without them, we probably wouldn’t exist as a surf school,” says Robert Rohwedder.

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A Selfish Project

When asked why they chose to work with people with disabilities, their expressions soften.

“The truth is, it’s entirely selfish. Working with them gives us a boost. We feel better about ourselves knowing we’re making a difference in their lives. That’s the greatest recognition,” says Robert Rohwedder.

Initially, they found that people with disabilities were often placed into predefined boxes. Autism required one teaching method; Down syndrome another. But they quickly realized reality was different.

“No two disabilities are the same, but the need to feel joy, excitement, and recognition is universal,” Jacob Lassen says.

Now, they can’t imagine life without these relationships.

“We teach them to surf, but they teach us how to live. People with Down syndrome, in particular, live such authentic lives. When they’re happy, they show it. When they’re scared, they’ll tell you. That’s something we can learn so much from in our society,” says Robert Rohwedder.

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Tangible Joy

The admiration appears mutual, as many participants return year after year.

At Blue Spirit, courses vary. Some involve five to six sessions over a season, while others host groups from countries like Germany for a week in summer.

Regardless of the format, the impact on participants is evident to everyone involved:

“We hear from caregivers and families about the significant changes they see in their loved ones after attending our courses. Higher quality of life, better self-esteem, and greater confidence,” says Jacob Lassen.

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This makes solving their biggest challenge even more urgent: How do they get even more people with disabilities out on the water?

To address this, Blue Spirit has launched “Blue Spirit Health,” a collaboration with Syddjurs Municipality, where researchers are studying whether the positive effects of surfing can be scientifically documented.

“If we can prove that these activities reduce the need for medication and improve lives, we might be able to help even more people get out on the water—not just in Denmark but globally,” Jacob Lassen says.

The Beginning at the End

And so, we return to the blind girl on the surfboard.

Jacob Lassen lets go. The board wobbles precariously before she finds her balance. It glides forward—10 meters, 20 meters, 50 meters—before she tumbles into the waves.

Jacob Lassen and Robert Rohwedder erupt in cheers, clapping and celebrating.

This was the turning point—for her and for them.

Because she did it. She surfed.

At first unsteady, then with confidence.

The same way Blue Spirit do.