Riding the Edge: An Interview with Notorious Belgian Train Surfer GIFGAS

January 2, 2021

## We spoke with the notorious Belgian train surfer GIFGAS: "I am still wanted by the police"

As far as is known, he is the first Belgian train surfer, but now he has taken it a step further. He calls himself GIFGAS and recently traveled to Italy and Croatia on a freight train. However, he urges others not to follow his example. We had a conversation with Belgium's most notorious train surfer.

In March 2019, GIFGAS rode behind a train for kilometers. His video was picked up by all Belgian media. He drew inspiration for his actions from the internet. "I have been interested in trains since my childhood. Around the age of 14, I saw videos of Americans and Russians clinging to trains. I secretly thought it was cool, and those images stuck in my mind."

Wanted When he noticed that Belgian trains also have handles, it sparked ideas in him. "That's when I thought: this could also be done in our country. I grabbed my GoPro, filmed it, and uploaded it to YouTube." His video went viral and appeared on all news websites and in all news broadcasts. "Train surfer hangs on behind train for minutes," various newspapers headlined. Additionally, the Belgian National Railway Company (NMBS) filed a complaint against unknown individuals. "I was surprised myself," he explained.

"I am still wanted by the police. They want to make an example out of me." That's also why he keeps his identity - down to the smallest detail - a secret. He makes his voice, face - even his shadow - unrecognizable in his videos. Almost no one - except his best friends - knows about his activities. We also aren't allowed to know more than he is a 20-year-old student. That's how he sounds too: like a 'normal', intelligent student - albeit one with an unusual hobby - and not at all like someone engaging in illegal activities.

#ILLEGALFREEDOM In a new series of videos, GIFGAS takes things a step further. He can be seen traveling across Europe on freight trains, a practice known as freighthopping. This phenomenon originated in the United States and became a common way of travel after the end of the American Civil War. Particularly, migrant workers traveled on passing freight trains - they became known as 'hobos'.

Lithuanian adventurer Shiey introduced the phenomenon to Europe. He started with freerunning on rooftops but quickly transitioned to videos of a different kind. He shares these videos online under the hashtag #ILLEGALFREEDOM. This concept explores illegal freedom. He explores abandoned nuclear bunkers, travels to Chernobyl without permission, or hitchhikes on freight trains across Europe. Sitting on coal or other goods, it's like "Traveling Waes" for the daring. Shiey has gathered 1.5 million subscribers on YouTube so far.

**Can you explain what #ILLEGALFREEDOM means?**

"It's a new kind of freedom. When you're on a freight train or clinging to trains, it's a different kind of freedom. Because that freedom is illegal. Isn't that strange? Freedom shouldn't have boundaries. I don't harm anyone or anything. I don't break anything. It's just because someone once prohibited traveling on freight trains that it's not allowed now. Nobody questions it except those who try it."

**When did you first try freighthopping?**

"I did my first small surf in late 2018. It went from Antwerp to Liège. Originally, I planned to try it in the US first. Until I saw it was possible here too. I started inspecting wagons. Where can I sit? Where is it possible? The first surf went well, so I called up a good friend - Rico - and we planned a bigger trip: to Italy."

"They then hang on the side and die."

You are cautious. You don't just jump on the first train you see: one wagon might be too visible, another might not have space or cover. Sometimes, you wait for days until the 'right' freight train shows up.

"I know what I'm doing, but there are those who will jump on the first train they see. That's why I also ask people not to copy me. They would then hang on the side and die. I don't want to be responsible for that."

**More dimension It's still an odd activity in a time when you can travel halfway across Europe by plane for 10 euros? Is it the thrill that drives you?**

"Partly. It's a unique experience to be on a freight train. Anyone can buy a plane ticket nowadays and be in Italy an hour later, but when you get there on your own, it gives a greater sense of reward. Call it authentic traveling: you smell the surroundings, you feel the wind. Those are things you don't experience on a plane. On an open wagon, you can look at the beautiful landscapes around you without limits. Plus, flying is extremely polluting."

**You're not doing these trips due to lack of money, right?**

"I travel like everyone else does, but compared to my regular trips, the journeys on freight trains are the most enjoyable. It adds more dimension to a journey. It's a combination of the pleasant and the unpleasant. It makes you appreciate the pleasant aspects much more."

**What does it feel like to be on a train like that? Is it somewhat comfortable?**

"Not really (laughs)! It's okay during the day, but at night, it's very cold, even in the summer. Those trains almost constantly travel at 120 km/h. You have almost no protection from the wind, and you're exposed to all weather elements. We also wear earplugs because the noise can be quite loud at times. Often, the beautiful scenery makes up for it. The trains that cross borders, the intermodals, have very good suspension. It's the cold metal that hurts."

**In your videos, you often sleep in nature or abandoned buildings. Why? Do you do that frequently?**

"It's to have a roof over our heads. It's not like I sleep in squats for fun (laughs). Although some people do! We often stay in hotels as well."

**Almost caught at the border In your penultimate video, you travel to the Alps with Shiey and Rico. How did you know him?**

"I had known Shiey's videos for a while. I knew he had experience with freighthopping. Eventually, I contacted him and asked if he wanted to go on a big journey together. To my surprise, he responded almost immediately and was very positive about it. By that time, I had made some preparations, and it seemed useful to have three pairs of eyes. After all, we had to cross several border crossings."

**Originally, you wanted to travel from Belgium to Greece, but you didn't succeed. In a video, it's shown how you were almost caught at the Austrian border?**

"Partly because of the long wait, the mountains, and the nice weather, we were becoming reckless and stood between two containers. Another train passed by us. We immediately knew we had been spotted. Although we were undoubtedly already spotted before, because the conductor's door was open. They had probably been looking for us for a while."

**"The train didn't stop immediately, though?"**

"No. From that moment on, we kept going for about 20 minutes. It was strange, because I expected us to stop at the next station and be taken off the train. However, we kept going until we reached the Austrian border, the Brenner Pass. I knew it was a place where there was always police presence. It's also a route for refugees. We packed our things and were ready to run."

**What goes through your mind at such a moment?**

"A lot of stress goes through your mind at such a moment. At the station, an officer saw us and called out something surprised to his colleagues. This shows that the police in Europe are not used to it at all. In the US, they put an officer on each side of the train and let it pass slowly. If they had done that here, they would have caught us. Eventually, we jumped off the train and climbed into the mountains. They even sent a helicopter after us, which hovered above us for minutes."

**New video to Croatia During the second lockdown, you traveled to Croatia with Shiey?**

"It was very relaxed there. The trains move slower, and the people are friendlier. If passersby see you on a train there, they wave - they don't care about it at all. They still know what real hardship is! They experienced the Yugoslav Wars, which is recent history. Two boys on a train don't bother them at all."

**So, was it a peaceful journey without any issues?**

"Not entirely. A track worker inspected every compartment of the train, looking for people. He eventually saw us, but luckily, his shift had just ended. He smiled at us, and that was it! Eventually, the police came as well, but they let us go."

**Not without danger Of course, freighthopping is not without risks. Have you encountered dangerous situations?**

"I've definitely experienced dangerous situations. In Croatia, we boarded a train in the middle of the night. It was pitch dark at that time, but we decided to get in anyway. If I had made one misstep at that moment, I probably wouldn't be here to tell the tale. Routine and habit are still the biggest enemies. In the beginning, you're cautious and aware of the dangers. If you do it so often, you start feeling invulnerable."

You are aware of the risks. In the videos, we see you advising others not to crawl under the train but over it.

"We take risks, but they need to be calculated risks. It's about avoiding small things. For example, Shiey would walk on the wagons or crawl under trains instead of getting on top. I wouldn't do those things, because they are unnecessary risks. Anything can happen: the train might switch tracks or stop suddenly."

**Music plays an important role in your videos. You try to convey the experience to viewers so they don't have to imitate you?**

"Often, I listen to the music in the videos while on the train. I film my scenes based on the music I'm listening to at that moment. Shiey, for example, keeps it raw, and you only hear the wind rustling. I want to give viewers the same feeling I had when I was on the train. So, they can experience the journey without having to imitate me."

**Political message You also do graffiti. Why?**

"The gentrification of cities bothers me. It's not as bad in Belgium, but look at the Netherlands. The houses, streets, cities - everything looks the same there. It's fun to brighten up trains and cities with colors. Some people only paint text on them - I understand that people might not find it beautiful - but then there are real artists."

**Is there a message behind it?**

"Often, there's a political message behind it: in my 'Nightshift in Belgium' video, the blue wagon is a protest against Europe abandoning refugees. A well-known person actually worked on that with me. Although I can't mention their real name, that probably won't surprise you (laughs)."