The underlying theme of any surf trip is optimism. There are empty perfect waves out there, just a matter of getting to ‘em at the right time. This most recent Maps to Nowhere adventure — featuring Ian Crane, Noah Wegrich, Soli Bailey and Laura Crane exploring a rugged, cold and unpredictable stretch of coast — embodied that spirit.
How rugged? “It’s in our DNA: don’t go to the water,” local guide explained. “That’s where you go to work or go to die. It’s raw and brutal up here — and not friendly for ocean activities.”
Thing is, this crew was here looking for exactly that. And after a few skunks, hours and hours in the car, rain, wind and swells that wouldn’t play nice, they found empty, reasonably perfect waves. Not 10-foot slabs, but the kind of fun that most surfers hop on a plane for.
As British surfer Laura Crane said a couple days into the trip, “You can only be as stoked as what’s in front of you.”
Which, in this case, turned out to be more than enough.
