Vancouver Island in the background.

Canada produces the goods.....

WK about to paddle past a "kelp devil"

Surfing in the frigid waters of Canada requires some patience, commitment and bravado. We heard about this spot from some surfers website. On one of the nicest days of the year, I traveled with photographer Michelle Goddess to a rarely surfed part of the Canadian coast. First we took a long boat ride to a small village. The local indians named this place "AREBIR", which translated means "angry at the world".  It must have snowed a few days before we arrived, because a few villagers acted pretty cold. They were complaining about outside villagers showing up when hearing of our visit. I couldnt believe that after all the complaining there was no one to be found. After hearing this nonsense, we hiked a long path through the forest carrying all of our gear.

Mutant waves of the north.

 Before we began our hike to the coast, we were warned of Mountain Lions, Tigers, and Bears along the trail.  We stopped along the way to watch some Canadian Geese fly overhead and enjoy the amazing weather. As we hiked, we kept our eyes open in case a local predator kooked into our path. Fortunately there were none of the ferocious beasts to be seen.

Sheer power.

This wave is nastier than any wave I have surfed in California for its size. Check the ledge popping deep in the pit. The wave is way more dangerous than the trail.

Sequence photos- This photos shows the commitment needed to make a drop on top of the point. Honestly, I wasnt sure I was going to make it. I saw rocks popping out all in front of me, and decided that I had no choice but to pull it off. What this wave lacks in size it makes up for in tenacity.

When I made it past the initial drop, I saw the curtain dropping pretty far down the line. I knew I could make it for a while, because once your in the barrel at this place its gonna to throw out far enough for a tuberide. The drop was so heavy, it was hard to do anything but focus on making the whole wave.

Once I was deep, my instincts took over and I went to work. I saw an upcoming section and intended on making it. I shifted my weight back and powered through the doggie-door and into the next section.

Right as I thought I would pop out the end and make the wave... the wave mutated into the nasty beast it is. For a second my head popped up and out the back, and for an instant I stared back out to sea. The next thing that happened scared me more than most wipeouts I have had at Mavericks and Pipeline. I started to feel weightless, and then I got sucked over the falls. All I could do was think about how dry those rocks are inside, and that I was going to splatter all over them. Somehow, I never hit the bottom, and I still cant figure out how I didnt.

It doesnt matter how good of a surfer you are.... this wave eventually wins every time.

The waves here are so unconventional, most surfers would not try to surf it.

Even this seemingly harmless small inside wave requires a nasty drop and a dry-rock obstacle course. Weaving through them can be fun though if you know how.

It was amazing how close the wave breaks to the beach. You could literally be attacked by a bear while surfing here. Theres no sand under the wave. The bottom consists of some really jagged rocks.

One random surfer showed up, and his name is Bjorn. He made the best of it and we had a really good time surfing it together. Im surprised that more of the grumpy villagers dont surf here.

Bjorn knows how to enjoy life.

shirt by evolution8

The lovely photographer, enjoying a day away from the bustle of being a Trader.

WK done with an amazing session, with great company, at a great place. It was worth the long travel and planning needed.

THE SECRET SPOT>>>

MORE Canadian perfection. CHECK IT HERE