Believe it or not, some surfers chase the perfect cold wave. Many claim that if the water is not cold, the wetsuit isn’t thick, then the rush isn’t the same. Surfing in cold water might require a little more effort, because of the extra gear but the standard global surf circuit is not for these guys, they prefer the northern hemisphere, bold, icy breaks and empty line-ups. If you are tired of the cold breaks available where you live, you might be looking for an adventure further afield. This quick guide is a fantastic starting point for cold weather surfers; if you complete this list, you’ll have ticked the big hitters off the to-do list:
Thurso, Scotland
Thurso East is the UKs most well know cold weather wave. The kelp covered rock reef creates awesome breaks and world-class barrels. It’s often overlooked on major surf locations lists because of the icy waters in the northern most regions of Scotland.
The waves are challenging, often reaching 15 feet, but if you’re a younger surfer looking for a slower pace in the cold water, the coastline is littered with good beaches and great breakers. Thurso East is a big hitter in this field, so the water can get a little crowded every now and again; you can spend these days exploring the awesome Scottish coast or take the ferry to nearby John O’Groats.
South West Coast, Iceland
Up and down this almost-artic coastline, cold water surfers are appearing. This is not one for the faint hearted, or the cold blooded. In fact, we would only recommend that experienced surfers who have taken the time to understand the seas and the weather forecast should take on these waters. Yet, that’s the exact mentality that makes cold water surfing so enticing – you have to work for it!
Most breaks in Iceland are reef breaks. The Reykjanes peninsula is just an hour outside of the capital, but has a coastline made up of Neolithic, volcanic reefs and bays. There are very few spots, or conditions, suitable for beginners. This is an advanced place, but fortunately, pretty solitary. Due to the danger associated with the shallow, rocky waters and severe weather conditions, it is recommended (as appealing as it might be) to never surf alone.
Arica, Chile
Arica is one of the more trodden surf paths, because you can find it in Chile, South America. The waters do warm up a little, to around 13 degrees Celsius but a 3 or 4 wetsuit is recommended year round. The waves roll in from the north and are an awesome, refreshing ride with great point breaks. Are you afraid of cold water? You should definitely try ” floating ” jet surfing boards, which will be a great alternative to ordinary boards. You can check out and buy here such a board from Top Jet Surfing.
Speaking of point breaks, the continents most famous, and most sought-after, is also in Chile. Punta de Lobos is a classic left hander, located on the one of the world surfing reserves. As you can expect, come rain or shine, this is a popular spot. However, when the waves really are getting going, there’s only a room for the biggest players in the water, needing to stay calm with waves reaching 25 feet!
