Insane Surfers

Georg Hilmarsson, Iceland Review Online, 8/13/07

"World Class, Just Colder" says the Iceland Review Online. There aren't lots of surfers riding the waves in Iceland, so you won't have to fight for the perfect curl. And if you do take on the waves with your surfboard, you will have done something that very few people in the world can lay claim to.

The author of the article found, in fact, that the small group of Icelandic surfers want to keep it that way, and that secrecy surrounds the best surf spots on the island. This small group of 8 or 10 regulars enjoy surf that they consider to be among the best in the world. Apparently the surf scene began in Iceland about 20 years ago, and these hardcore enthusiasts, who frequently wait many months for an opportunity to surf, have done a good job of keeping it quiet.

No lifeguards, surfing with wetsuits, and waiting for the wave: if you can take water temperatures of around 55 degrees fahrenheit (down to near freezing), you might want to try it out. Of course first you'll have to find it.