The most reliable way to find empty waves is to go where nobody else can go. There’s a lot of ways that can happen, whether it’s inclement weather, remote locales, or challenging waves. In his career, YouTuber and big wave surfer Nic von Rupp has managed to master all three, and he put that to the test in a strike mission to find deserted waves on the frigid shores of Iceland.
The journey was documented in his latest YouTube edit. In it, he was joined by Albee Layer on the aforementioned expedition to the North. Layer’s inclusion is notable for the fact that, as von Rupp mentioned, he rarely leaves the shores of Hawaii (and, honestly, who could blame him).
From minute one, things were cold – very cold. The first session left von Rupp barely able to speak afterwards, even though he was stoked at the shockingly rippable waves he encountered. And from there, things only got colder. “We’ve been driving around for the last week, trying to find something,” explained von Rupp in a later scene, as the entire crew was being pelted with snow. “Found little bits and pieces. This is some of the strongest winds I’ve ever seen in my life.”
But in the end, anything is worth it for a clean wave to yourself.