The craft cuts through the ripples blown in with the crisp north breeze. You are alone. Well, this is how it used to be, for things have changed this season.
Why has the Arctic suddenly become so popular? Is it the mind-blowing images people see on Instagram and Facebook that suddenly made the Arctic a part of everybody’s to-do list? Before, everybody went to the Caribbean and Brazil and hammered around in beach buggies. Have people seen pictures from the Arctic and thought: “I want to see this for myself.”? Surf at that beach, hang from that rock, camp on that mountain and swim in the Arctic Ocean. Instagram and Facebook have let us bring the quiet places into the public’s consciousness.
For me, the Arctic is the most beautiful place to be. It has everything I love. All kinds of weather, crazy conditions, beautiful nature to play in. I can do everything I want. But it is changing so fast.
When I came to Lofoten for the first time, it wasn’t on most people’s radar to travel up north to paddle. I remember some guys from Oslo asking me; “What are you doing up there? Why do you want to be up in the cold?” They sort-of laughed at me. Now they are taking their holidays up north and it´s my turn to smile and give them thumbs up. I know why I am so in love with this place. The mountains, the beaches and all the weather we get. Every day is a surprise. You never know what you will happen. Even if the forecast says something, you cannot trust it. You can plan as much as you like, but in the end, the weather will do something completely different. You just have to put on the right clothes and decide to do it anyway.
Lofoten is an archipelago of islands and there are so many places to paddle and surf in all directions. A standout spot is Flakstad, but I have been testing loads of places and you can certainly find good spots all over.
