Professional surfer Lucía Martiño is in a phase of transition, shifting her focus toward audiovisual projects and moving away from competition. “I want to enjoy surfing differently, feeling free to go wherever I want whenever I want, and I’m much happier,” says the Asturian surfer. This time, she decided to travel to Iceland in winter to break out of her comfort zone and leave behind the usual destinations with perfect waves and warm waters. Iceland, in winter, is the exact opposite. Exactly what she was looking for. This is how Undreamed Waters was born, a project presented by Blue Banana.
With temperatures as low as -15ºC, freezing winds, and —according to locals— the largest snowstorms in recent years and the coldest winter in two decades, Martiño experienced the most extreme surfing sessions of her life, as well as some of the best.
She was accompanied by filmmakers Carlos Farrera and Ibai Mielgo, and supported by local guides Lukas Polach and Nicole Suehring, whose help was essential for navigating snowy roads and covering up to 8 hours of driving daily across the northern fjords. The team entered freezing waters where the temperature hovered around 2-3ºC. The beaches were covered in ice and snow, forcing them to walk over frozen surfaces near the shore to reach the break.
At times, there were 20-minute gaps between wave sets, during which heavy snow could fall. “It felt like stones were being thrown at my face—I had to shield myself with my board,” Lucía recalls. But the water wasn’t the worst part. The cold was so extreme that changing after each session became a feat in itself. “There were moments when I couldn’t even bend my fingers from the cold. We carried a bottle of hot water to help, but due to the humidity, my hand would freeze within seconds. I cried out of frustration because taking off my wetsuit was almost impossible,” says the Spanish surfer.
In addition to the weather conditions, the local wildlife added a special touch to the experience. Seals swam near the team during every session. And on the most remote northern beaches, Martiño had an unforgettable encounter with an elusive Arctic fox hunting in the light of the sunset. “It was one of those magical moments that make you realize how lucky you are to be there,” she recalls.
The Undreamed Waters team experienced intense days, driving through snowstorms to reach hidden waves among the fjords. Despite the challenges, every surf session became a lesson in resilience and passion for the sport. “This experience taught me that you don’t need perfect waves to enjoy surfing. It’s the challenge, the connection with the environment, and what you share with people that makes it all worthwhile,” Lucía concludes.
