If you read MI OLA Brand Ambassador Susi’s Surf Guide to Norway (Part 1 - Southern Norway), you know this majestic country offers a long stunning coast line waiting to be explored with countless beaches to surf. That’s if you don’t mind cold water! This month we head North for Part 2. MI OLA catches up on the home breaks of super rad Brand Ambassador Susi, @insta_susi.
Norway Surf Guide - Part 2: Where to Surf, Northern Norway
Alnes:
Near Ålesund, you’ll find my “local” surf spot, Alnes. Located about 30-40 minutes away from Ålesund and 20 minutes away from Ålesund Airport. I consider it local because it’s the nearest spot to where I live. For me, it’s 170km roundtrip. A two-hour drive, with a ferry and four very long tunnels - each way. A bit of a mission to go surfing, especially with two small kids and mediocre weather. But that ’s how I #getoutthere. Sure, I miss the convenience of crossing the road to go surfing, like when I lived in New Zealand (more in my guide to surfing Christchurch, NZ). But we all know beggars can’t be choosers and I am happy for the opportunity to have a surf spot near me. It’s a great day out, so why not?
Alnes boasts a left-hand point, a right-hand point, and a couple of peaks along the beach in the middle. On this beach, you need to watch for rocks. If you surf the left, be aware of one big submerged rock. Come low tide, you can see it in full size. When the tide is high ask a friendly local for advice as it’s not visible.
See the rock? It’s submerged at high tide. Watch out for it if you surf the left-hander or middle of the bay.
The right-hander breaks in front of / over numerous rocks. If the swell is big and the waves break farther out, this isn’t as much of a problem. But when the waves are small and break closer to those rocks, you need to be careful. Most of the year the waves are average, but there are those rare, mint days, where everything comes together and the waves are on fire!
During work hours this place can be isolated, especially if the conditions aren’t that great. However, it seems the surfing community has grown quite a bit in the last couple of years. You can expect a solid crowd during the weekends if the surf report is good. Both the left and right attract the majority of surfers so it can get crowded quickly.
Beginners and advanced surfers can surf this place. You can surf at all tides, but the best tide is low tide, so you can avoid the rocks. For beginners, it is wise to stay in the middle and find an uncrowded peak that is not close to rocks.
In Norway there is no distinctive surf season, but if the weather is beautiful during the summer, you won’t expect to find many waves. However, during winter storms, it can often get too wild and rough with super strong winds. The sea can get out of control with 7m+ waves!
Where to Stay - Alnes:
Alnes is a tiny fishing village with a population of about 200 people. It dates back to viking times and the lighthouse is it’s main attraction. The only accomodation at Alnes are two fully equipped fishing cabins with room for up to six people. If one is happy in nature, it surely would be fun to spend one week there, go surfing, fishing and drive around in the boat. A rowboat is included in the cabin and for 18 USD per day + gas you can hire a motor for that boat. You can easily get around the island without a car. It’s probably around 500m to the surf spot and 200m to the start of hiking trails. It’s easy to get there with the bus from Ålesund airport and takes under 30 min or one could rent cars at the airport. Overnight parking is not allowed at the beach.
Apres Surf - Ålesund:
For refuel after a surf session, head back to Ålesund. Grab a bite at Kabb, which is a brasserie/ bistro with an industrial touch that serves tasty food from around the globe. The portion sizes are big and you can get a wine match with it. Zuuma has the best sushi in town. To grab a drink befor or after your meal - MILK - seems to be the bar right now. At the Piano bar you’ll find a relaxed atmosphere and great staff!
Lofoten:
Lofoten is a beautiful peninsula consisting of many island groups above the Arctic circle. Nature in these parts is breathtaking. Similar to Stadlandet and Hoddevik (Part 1 - Southern Norway). The beaches here are surrounded by picturesque mountains and awesome scenery.
Unstad is Lofoten’s most famous surf spot. One of the Gudauskas brothers comes here regularly and reckons it’s kinda like a Pipeline - but uncrowded and VERY cold! Unfortunately, I still haven’t surfed or been in the Arctic circle. It would take me around 25 hours one way by car to get there. But my fingers are crossed I will #getoutthere soon to surf epic, uncrowded waves amongst the most pristine backdrop.
If you are visiting Norway and plan on surfing, we recommend you check in with surf-forecast.com. Conditions change a lot in these parts. Last thing you want is to stand at a flat beach! Look up Norway, South and West or Lofoten and Arctic for the North. You will find information on specific breaks, tides, wave height, and quality.
Other Things to Do:
If there’s no surf while you are here, you can trek, climb and hike thousands of mountains, or dip into fjords and lakes on a SUP. If you are here in the winter months (October-April) and are very lucky, you might get to see the Northern Lights. Snowboarding and skiing are great ways to stay fit through the cold months.
Norway is a very expensive country, but with it’s stunning mountains, fjords and uncrowded surf beaches it is well worth the visit. Best of all, sharks don’t seem to be a problem here. I think the water is even too cold for them!