Arctic surfing in the Lofoten Islands, Norway, for the Lofoten Masters

© Nicolás Pina/Tandem Stills + Motio

Chilling out in the Arctic. Chilling out in the Arctic

Surfers from Norway and around the world gather each September in Unstad, a tiny village in Norway's Lofoten Islands, to compete in the Lofoten Masters, which bills itself as the world's northernmost surfing competition. Described by some as home to the best surf break in Norway, the island village, where sheep easily outnumber villagers, boasts two surf shops to help both novices and experts prepare for the extreme conditions. And surfing isn't just a summer sport at this famous beach located inside the Arctic Circle—during winter months, surfers come here for the unique experience of surfing under the aurora borealis.