The Faroe Islands—Seeking out Surf
“Far off the Sea” by Faroese poet Christian Matras
Softly falls the night
and children are in the field below the fences.
They run for the haybarn door
where shrunk boards leak
sweetness into the dusk.
Far off the sea whets his roar
in the hushed night between the hills.
Gásadalur, a village on Vágar, Faroe Islands
Transport yourself to the North Atlantic to a collection of islets situated between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean and you find the Faroe Islands. Belonging to Denmark but independent in language, outlook and governmental affairs, the Faroes offer a refreshing dose of self-direction and cultural preservation. Alongside this crimson autonomy resides a tempestuous ocean throwing up insensate and chilling walls of water. These walls are not bulwarks, but rather passages of adventure for the few Faroese and world surfers who lance themselves into the North Atlantic’s frigidness and ride the cold. Please spend a few minutes below taking in the short film Seeking out Surf, a well-cut work that details the surf peregrinations of several European (primarily Basque, I believe) riders and a Faroese resident among the islands. Overall, I think the lesson learned from the Faroe Island is that the notion of discovery in surfing is not dead. On the contrary, there is a kingdom of waves that remains to be explored. It may mean shivering but, in the end, the dark waters and new waves will be worth the iciness.
Please continue reading as there are many more film clips and outstanding photos!
Photo by Bergur Johansen of Fog Island
Photo by Gregers Reimann
The Faroe islands, in spite of all their beauty, do have a controversial history that dates back to their Nordic roots: ”grindadráp” in Faroese. This tradition is an annual slaughter of over 950 pilot whales. I will do a second post later on this practice. However, I would like to preface this eventual piece by saying that every country has some sort of dark history or outmoded rituals. I do not think this should preclude anyone from visiting. On the contrary, respectful dialog and exchange produce provide much greater impetus for change than isolation. I will comment more in the coming weeks.
N.S.
Give me that over Shipsterns carnage any day. I mean it can’t be that cold. Can it?
I agree with you, Karen! Just put on the thickest suit possible, a little face protection and I think you’d be good to go. Just imagine how the selection, eh!
“Alongside this crimson autonomy resides a tempestuous ocean throwing up insensate and chilling walls of water. These walls are not bulwarks, but rather passages of adventure for the few Faroese and world surfers who lance themselves into the North Atlantic’s frigidness and ride the cold.”
So the Faroes are surrounded by cold water surf, eh? And locals and touros alike enjoy a lark in the bracing waves.
Unbleeibvale how well-written and informative this was.
That is a beautiful place. Keen as lads too. Cold, cold, cold … and onshore, a lot.
(Ha) Point taken, Stu. Cliff, I was taken aback as well. The landscape is crazy.
thanks for posting, noah! you need to get your ass to california so we can drink some local brews together and go cold water exploring up north. not necessarily in that order.
my favorite part was definitely when the boys and the elders were seated at the table together, 4 on each side. i really got a sense of humility from those young men in the face of these amazing faroese fishermen and their stories.
wet icecream dreams
strange artic urges
summer fluro lights
Brrrggghhh! I like to romanticise about cold water surfing, but when I think about that guy out there surfing by himself on the island, shit, that’s some dedication that I don’t think I have!
Dina, one day we shall sample all of California’s best micro-brews and delight in the tastiest waves of Northern Cal. as well! I’ll have to introduce you to a good friend of mine that I grew up with who lives in Manhattan Beach right now.
Satch, you had me laughing so hard with your “wet ice cream dreams” sentence. Perhaps you didn’t mean it that way, but my mind is in the gutter and the visual was hilarious for me.
Ollie, I have to agree. It gets scary being in cold black water all alone. Just wait until you see Simon’s upcoming post on the creatures of the Mariana trench and you’ll freak yourself out even more.
In any case, thanks everyone for reading! I never expect anyone to, so it is a pleasure seeing its popularity. It was a fun post to explore and find videos and pics to show off the island’s beauty.
Also, if you hear from the Faroese Tourism Board, please let them know I will be their American exchange ambassador, diplomat, janitor or what have you for a free flight!
I have a question. Who sang the song at the end of part 3 when it was all surfing footage? Great wee movie. Thanks James
Hello James,
I believe the name of the song is: “Big Picture” by Evan Bliss