Surfing above the Arctic Circle

"When we first started to come here, the whole village would come down to the beach and the older men would start going ´No no no, don't go into the ocean, it's dangerous`"- Marion, owner of Unstad Arctic Surf

Last week I got to experience something that wasn't possible some years back. I visited Unstad in Lofoten, Norway, for a week of surfing above the Arctic Circle. During the last few months I've been surfing in Costa Rica, Hawaii, Australia and Bali - all incredibly hot places. I was going from one extreme to another. After a full week of Arctic surfing, I will - believe it or not - say it's been one of my favorite surf experiences so far.

The week was aimed at testing our new Arctic line in the right environment. During winter, Unstad Beach can be quite advanced, so we spent most of the week at a smaller beach break. Arriving at the spot, the first thing you see is snowy peaks surrounding clear blue water, an uncrowded lineup, and fun small waves (especially good for me as I'm still a beginner). The week was windy, but off-shore.

Whenever I told people I was going to Lofoten to surf, they all replied "Oh that's going to be cold". I can happily say I didn't freeze once in the Arctic wetsuit.

"The new generation of Japanese neoprene is a game changer. It's like wearing a dry suit, in a wetsuit. It's the most comfortable and most warm, sometimes even too warm." - Tommy, co-owner of Unstad Arctic Surf

Marion and Tommy - owners of Unstad Arctic Surf

Throughout the week we spent a lot of time with Natalie and Andreas, teaching us everything about the surf spots and conditions. We also got to know Marion and Tommy, owners of Unstad Arctic Surf, and hear their side of the story.

"When we moved here it was only two guys that surfed, me and a Swedish guy, and then we got a local legend that was only around 18yo. And that was it. That was the whole surf community in Lofoten" - Tommy

We want our wetsuits to be passports to new surf breaks, and this is how. Gradually the water sport industry is expanding to places we'd never dare to dream of before. Lofoten is one of those places, and it's being more and more discovered by surfers from all over the world, thanks to the development of gear.

"It's not many years ago since we knew everyone with a surfboard on the roof" - Marion

Times are changing, and crowded lineups are no longer a must. Take out the weather limitations and we have a whole new world to explore.

"We've actually had Hawaiian guests learning how to surf in Lofoten. It's a strange world and things are changing. People are starting to understand it's not that cold, our water temp only differs a few degrees between summer and winter, the suits are so good and we don't have any predators. It's a very safe environment." - Marion

Unstad Beach is since a few years back famous for a very obvious reason. If you're a surfer, you might already know this, but I'll let Tommy explain.

"Unstad Beach consists of four main breaks. You have the Garbage place - more like a big wave setup with a nice left handed. Then you go into the left, a fast wave with some hollow sections. Then you have the beach break, which actually has a spot called the Swedish peak, and then you have the right. Sometimes you have three breaks that works really good at the same time." - Tommy

Getting to experience this week with a group of women from all over the world added the cherry on the top. This was the first Women's Surf Camp that Marion and Tommy hosted, but I hear they might do it again. I'd 100% recommend anyone to go, not only for the surfing, but for the lovely community, the crazy good food (you really got to taste Lofoten through Marions experience) and the stunning nature. This is a place I will visit again.

xx Isabelle