Oliver Hartkopp – Drawn to the Ocean 

Some people choose a path. 
Others feel called by it. 

For Oliver Hartkopp, the ocean wasn’t something he discovered later in life – it was something that found him early, quietly, and never let go. 

Growing up with two parents who were professional triathletes meant movement, outdoors, and curiosity were part of everyday life. Family trips revolved around sport and nature. But it was Oliver’s older brother who unknowingly opened the door to what would become his life’s compass. A single surf lesson. A spark. A fascination that quickly turned into obsession. 

As the younger brother, Oliver followed – not out of obligation, but instinct. The first time he stepped on a board, something clicked. This is it, he remembers thinking. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Few people recognize that feeling so early. Even fewer dare to follow it. 

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Learning to Read the Ocean 

Oliver didn’t grow up with perfect waves. In fact, the place he calls home offered almost none. Instead, he learned to surf on the wakes of passing ships, chasing temporary waves in chaotic, wind-blown water. It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t easy. But it taught him patience, creativity, and respect for the sea. 

One memory stands out – a rare, calm day when real swell arrived. After years of riding whitewater, Oliver finally turned sideways, opening up onto the face of a clean wave. In that moment, balance became freedom. Movement became meaning. And the ocean stopped being something he visited – it became something he belonged to. 

What once felt intimidating slowly became familiar. Fear turned into trust. Distance turned into dependence. Today, Oliver feels the ocean not just emotionally, but physically. Time away affects his body, his mood, his sense of self. Injuries have forced long breaks – lessons learned the hard way – but they’ve only deepened his gratitude. 

“The ocean has shaped who I am,” he says. “Not just through surfing, but through simply being in it – flowing with it.” 

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Klitmøller – Where Cold Water Builds Character 

Surfing eventually led Oliver north, to Klitmøller — known as Cold Hawaii. The first visit left him stunned. A vast ocean. Real swell. A surf community filled with people his own age. For the first time, he wasn’t the smallest or youngest in the lineup. 

What Klitmøller offered wasn’t just waves – it offered belonging. 

The surf culture there is still young, still forming. And that’s exactly what makes it special. Being part of something in the making. Watching new surfers fall in love with the ocean in their own way. Sharing stoke, respect, and humility. 

The North Sea, however, doesn’t give anything away easily. It demands attention. Forecasts change constantly. Sandbanks shift. Cold water tests your limits. Planning more than a day or two ahead is almost impossible. The ocean dictates the rhythm – everything else must wait. 

That unpredictability has become Oliver’s teacher. The reward comes not from convenience, but from commitment. 

His favorite moment? 

Waking before sunrise on a promising day. Darkness outside. Coffee brewing. Gear ready. Not knowing what awaits – only that something might. 

That moment, suspended between uncertainty and possibility, is magic. 

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Nature as Teacher, Water as Church 

Spending so much time in nature changes the way you see the world. Oliver has learned that everything is connected, constantly moving, impossible to control. Nature always wins. The only way forward is respect – and acceptance. 

The ocean, in particular, has shown him the fragility of ecosystems and humanity’s deep dependence on them. It gives life. It gives memories. It deserves care. 

For Oliver, the ocean is also where answers live. A place without noise, notifications, or performance. A place to feel everything – calm, frustration, joy, humility. If land is where life happens, the ocean is where it makes sense. 

Balance, he believes, is found in contrast. Good and bad. Epic days and difficult ones. On the board and in life, both are necessary. Without one, the other loses meaning. 

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Shared Values – Why Knowledge 

Oliver’s connection with KnowledgeCotton Apparel grew naturally. What drew him in wasn’t just style – it was intention. Responsibility without compromise. Quality without shortcuts. 

Both Oliver and Knowledge share a belief in simplicity, respect for nature, and doing things properly – not because it’s easy, but because it matters. Whether building garments or chasing waves, the mindset is the same: make conscious choices, create something that lasts. 

Clothing, for Oliver, is an extension of lifestyle. It needs to move, endure, and feel right. Timeless over trendy. Purpose over appearance. And knowing that what you wear isn’t filled with harmful substances only strengthens that connection. 

“People. Planet. Future.” isn’t a slogan to him – it’s a responsibility. A reminder that every choice leaves a trace. 

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Freedom, Defined 

Freedom, for Oliver, is everything. 

It’s time. It’s movement. It’s being able to say yes when the waves arrive. He remembers school days when surfing wasn’t allowed — when freedom was taken away – and how deeply that affected him. Today, freedom is his most valuable possession. 

“I’d rather be rich in freedom than in gold,” he says. “Time is the one thing we can’t buy back.” 

 In the water, he feels like the best version of himself. Out of it – well, that’s another story, according to those closest to him. 

What does he hope people feel when they hear his story? 

Inspiration to reconnect with nature. To protect it. To chase their dreams without letting go of humility and respect. 

And for the next generation, his message is simple: 

Keep exploring. Stay curious. Stay humble. Respect the ocean – it’s not just a playground. It’s home.