Ever thought about surfing…in Siberia? This frigid wasteland is not exactly the first place that comes to mind when it comes to gnarly curls, but where there is water, there are waves, and a daring few Russian natives won’t let a little frigid water get between them and catching waves in Siberia.
Siberia is a vast region that makes up more than half of the entire country of Russia. Much of the land here is permafrost, meaning the ground never thaws, even in the summer. While this does not make for a hospitable environment to live in, permafrost contains vast amounts of carbon dioxide, and if it melted, the release of this massive amount of CO2 would be catastrophic.
Siberia is home to the deepest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Baikal, as well as four of the ten largest rivers in the world. This diverse ecosystem is also home to the largest swamp found on earth. About 20 million people live in this stark yet beautiful environment.
But, back to the surfing. Clad in protective wetsuits, these three intrepid adventurers ventured out into the frigid waters of the Arctic Ocean only the hardiest of souls call home. The curls may not be the biggest, but the craggy shorelines can make for a dangerous ride nonetheless. And the scenery? It’s nothing short of breathtaking.
Take a look at this short documentary, filmed over the course of a year to show the changes of the ocean as the seasons progress, and join these rugged sportsmen as they explore and surf Siberia. Nowhere else on earth can one surf with seals and walrus as elk patrol the mountaintops, and the aurora borealis glimmers overhead. (If you’re crunched for time, skip ahead to 7:00 for the real wave action!)
Featured Image from Markus Winkler/Unsplash
