Iceland

Iceland | The Wave
November 2014, and an eighth trip to Iceland with friend Ian Battrick. Every time we go it’s different, new spots or new swell angles light up different waves, it’s always an adventure. We have never slept in a solid structure, always camped rough or in a tent, that way you get the absolute most out of the spectacular environment, and can afford to stay for as long as possible.
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Swells are so fleeting in Iceland, and so often accompanied by really strong winds, that even when conditions are like this you just have to get in and make the most of it. This day was cold last autumn, the wind chill way below freezing.
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In the water though and once you're over the chop and continuous breeze, a barrel is a barrel. Ian Battrick locked into one on this ledge.
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One gem slips through, wind ravaged to the point it has teeth.
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Local Robert on a very rare glassy day, the rocks were frozen before this session, and the air temp sub zero.
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Local Heider Logi Elliason, hooking in.
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Stacked up and empty, but shifty with an extremely long paddle out in absolutely frigid conditions, looks good though.
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Norwegian surfer Torger Svindland joined us for part of the mission as well, well used to the cold coming 
from the North Sea town of Stavnager.
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A lonely peak with no one around. Sadly not as good as it looks and just a little bit shifty,
Ian found a few though.
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Conditions change fast in Iceland, what is a whiteout one minute, is clear and perfect a few hours later, 
so walking off into a blizzard to surf isn't as silly as it may seem.
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We were there to shoot a 4mm wetsuit from Lunasurf, prove it's warmth and flexibility, this shot proves it in 4 degree water. 
We had zero budget, so slept where we could, this tunnel was particularly nice and out of the weather.
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Åge Obrestad, Norwegian champion at the time, paddling out for one more before the weak winter sun dipped for the day.
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Looks like sunset, but it's actually around mid day, the sun just never gets that high in these parts in winter.
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When not in the surf, the general scenery is enough to blow you away. Icelandic horses at sunrise.
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One last look back at the surf.

We were there testing winter wetsuits from Lunasurf, a company from The Channel Islands started by a few friends. Ian Battrick, well known for his cold water travels has developed this range, specifically focussing on less rubber but more warmth, hence the 4mm hooded suit. If you'd like to see more check them out here - http://www.lunasurfwetsuits.com/mens-wetsuits

 Tim has long been a traveller and photographer in colder frontiers of surfing, which culminated in a book called Numb last year. He now has a new project which has been born off the back of these travels - The Plastic Project - A photographic adventure through Greenland, Newfoundland, Iceland, Scotland, Norway, The Faroe Islands and the rest of Europe highlighting the problems of Marine litter. As well as documenting the problem, he is also travelling the country doing talks and exhibitions, find out more here - www.theplastic-project.com.
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