The Yacht Week Interview

From the forts of Croatia to the mountains of Austria, Japan and Canada, Erik Biorklund is passionate about taking festivals to some of the world’s most magical destinations. We catch up with the founder of Day 8, The Yacht Week and The Ski Week to find out what goes on behind the scenes of these immersive and active boutique festivals.

For those of our readers who don’t know, how did your business begin?

Myself and William worked as skippers in the Med, and brought 200 friends for a week, then from there we started bringing more people not only from Sweden but from all over, and the Yacht Week was slowly born.

How true to the original concept have you stayed?

Its essentially the same. Lots of more lubricant in the machinery with professional skippers, crew and hosts, and improved programming every year.

Did you ever imagine when you started your parties that it would end up being a career?Let alone securing a 25 year lease on a Fort?

​As far as these projects goes, we just follow our intuition on hospitality concepts we love ourselves. I certainly did not foresee this exact path, but imagined some of the elements. The fort in particular is a project and investment much more done with the heart than anything else, and it was thought up and developed initially by William who also started the company. It’s a truly magical place in the Adriatic, probably one of the most serene places of Croatia. The island Vis, is filled with fantastic people, restaurants and rich borderline magic history. Imagine that both Greeks and Romans settled here thousands of years ago…they could have picked a lot of other places, but came here.

Croatia has become a hugely popular destination for Music travellers, do you think it’s peaked or is there more to come?

​As far as music initiatives, I think we see more, but of more variation. What a lot of people miss is that Croatia has a rich history with culture and music, and practically all cities have summers full of musical programming, perhaps not as grand as Verona, but very very good and totally affordable. We see lots of new festivals popping up and gaining attraction worldwide. That will likely continue to grow depending on how its received locally. Music is the vibration of God, so there is rooms for lots of initiatives still. 

Broadly speaking, I think it’s in the beginning, much like Sweden where I’m from, Croatia with its strong socialistic background, have some advantages in terms of unexplored land, respect for conservation and integrity in development. I’ve just seen a fraction of what the country has to offer, and there is lots of things to see here. Many reasons for people to visit and come back.

Do you have a favourite Croatian City or town?

Vis town, Vis for sure. The city itself calls it the Med as it once was and that’s pretty accurate description. Beautiful, slow pace, Pomalo as its called there. The island is soon entirely off the grid in the winter, with its own water source and solar installation. I love Split too. Even at Christmas time it’s full of people, on a sunny day almost like in the summer, where people meet and spend time outdoors, friends, coffee and a rollie cigarette is all you need there in the winter.

Do you have a favourite Croatian meal?

​Cevapipi with extra ajvar – but other nations in the Balkans claim this dish. I’m allergic to fish so can’t really appreciate all the sea food there is to offer.

You’re also operating in Greece, what do you think are the main differences or key highlights?

Greece is also unique and has such a grand history and intellectual story and strong culture and characteristic food. I just love Greece. We have spent much time there since I was very young and we did island hopping with the family everywhere. People are lovely, time moves slowly. As far as our events, it was the first event we did after Croatia and we have done it for more than 10 years now. It’s typically 25 yachts, dinners family style long table with 200 people. By the end of the trip you know the name of most people. Magical sunsets, mid-paced and good mix of sailing nature, some day parties etc.

What’s your favourite Greek island?

Hydra, Spetses is nice too. In Hydra there are no cars. It’s small, it’s incredibly beautiful with lots of local legends, fantastic little bars, top notch gyros and more…

You obviously got bored in winter and started Ski Week, how did that come about?

Our friend Leo, who has been involved since the early days, started it and scouted out the best launch resort and has grown it in a similar way to Yacht Week – his desire to make it happen made us launch it and it was on the cards from day 1. Also the community built around a solid activity and experience, now in some very special mountains. It just makes sense right?

You’re now kicking off what looks like an epic adventure across Canada. How did this come around? Have you done the trip yourself?

Yes! The idea came from some friends who did it a few years ago with 1 RV and last year was the inaugural event. Best ski event I’ve done ever. Road trip, wilderness, the best small resorts, just 100-200 people currently, intimate apres skis, great people. This is a place I’ve wanted to visit my whole life, and is certainly among the top places to ski that I know of.

Will there still be a party vibe or is this more of adventure week?

Definitely more adventure, but lets see how it evolves. In any case it is and will be pure powder magic.

Will first time or learner skiers be able to come or is this more for pros?

​Both possible. I’d encourage beginners to push the comfort zone and join. It will inspire for sure to more ski adventures!

Feeling inspired?

Book your 2019 Yacht Week tour here

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