North of The Sun: Meet the Arctic's Secret Surfers

North of The Sun: Inge Wegge, Jørn Nyseth Ranum

Riding waves above the Arctic Circle

In the winter of 2010, in an isolated and uninhabitable bay on a remote Arctic island by the coast of Northern Norway’s coastline, they spent nine months in the cold Norwegian winter.

In this surfing documentary, two young men lived off the land, hunting for animals and fishing on a beach that was inaccessible to automobiles.

They constructed a home out of driftwood and other cast-off materials that washed up on the shore, and they ate expired food that stores would have thrown away. This piece of surf cinema is unlike any surf documentary that we have watched before.

The boys brought their most important possessions with them: Their surfboards. The whole reason that they undertook this arctic adventure was to experience the untouched waves that this hidden bay kept secret until now.

Inge and Jorn said they were already well used to surfing in cold water before making their film.

“This is just the way it is in Norway,” said Jorn.

“We have been to other places for surfing but Norway is the favorite place.

“It is not just about the surfing, but the whole experience. Just being out there in the waves, with the steep mountains all around you, the eagles, and the seal popping his head up to say hello.”

Inge added: “I think the coldest temperatures were between three to four degrees C.

“It’s not the temperature in the water that is the worst, but the temperature in the air. Especially if there is wind a couple of degrees below zero – then you really feel the cold.”

The duo had planned on ending their adventure at Christmas but, after a short break with their families returned to the beach to continue surfing.

Inge said: “We never thought about going home, we lived comfortably, surfed, and had fun most of the time.”

When not surfing the film shows the men gathering driftwood to keep their stove burning, and also gathering tons of rubbish.

Since making the film, the pair’s “secret paradise” has been discovered by other Norwegians. Inge said: “I think it’s secret those watching the film when it is touring and screening out in the world.

North of the Sun Trailer

“But it’s not a secret in the area where we stay. People have found the hut, and it has become quite a popular ‘attraction’.”

Jorn added: “People have used the house and some have stayed there for days. “It’s cool that people are using it, fixing broken things. “Our fourth guest book is almost full.”

Inge Wegge studied film at Nordland College of Film and Art in Lofoten, Norway. He began filming at the age of 14, recording the skateboarding exploits of his friends. He then continued to make films and document what was happening around him. After “North of the Sun” he had the opportunity to work as a television photographer.

Jorn Nyseth Raunum’s interest in film began when he was very young. With his father’s video camera, he gave life to his toys through animation. Subsequently, he became interested in snowboarding and documenting events in everyday life. He attended Nordland College of Art and Film. During his studies and since graduating, filmmaking has occupied most of his time.

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