Sixty Four North
Surfing in Iceland
Updated: September 30, 2006
Welcome to Sixty Four North, my web page of Iceland surfing pics!

Thanks to all of the people who have taken the time to email me.  I've had emails from surfers from all over the globe, from Hawaii to Belgium to Norway.  Surfing is truly a worldwide sport.

Most of these pics are taken on the Reykjanes peninsula, on which the Keflavik Naval Air Station is located.  The entire country is a volcanic island, similar to the Hawaiian islands, with an active volcano named  Mt. Hekla still occassionally errupting.

The Reykjanes peninsula, located on the southwest-most corner of the country,  is best described as a desolate lava field.  It is exposed to frequent strong winds, and there is little vegetation except for grass and moss.   There is one black sand beach, called "Sandvik" which provides the peninsula's only beach break.  The rest of the peninsula is lava reef, very much like the west side of Oahu. 

The weather here can be extreme.  During the winter, a  beautiful, clear day can deteriorate into whiteout blizzard conditions very quickly.  Winter temperatures average in the low 30's with windchills in the teens, and winds average 15-35 knots, with gusts up to 60 knots frequently.  Poking out to the southwest, the Reykjanes peninsula is exposed to swell from the south, west, and north.
Winter water temps are in the 30's.  I wear a Rip Curl 6 mil wetsuit with boots and gloves, and I ride an Al Merrick 6'5 most of the time.  I also have a Rawson 6'8 and 7'6, and a Rusty 8'6 Waimea gun.

During the summer months, the weather is much milder, although still not what I would consider "good".  Temps average upper 40's to low 50's, with water temps maxing at the mid 40's- low 50's requiring boots and gloves year round, and a hood on all but the cleanest and warmest days.  The surf is much smaller and less consistent than during winter, but we get waves in the chest high range every week or two.  One nice thing about summer is that for a month or so, there is 24 hours of daylight, making surfing possible at any time.

Enjoy your visit!
Aloha, Mike Loomis


Merkines  3-9-02
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