Surfing in ICELAND as a Beginner

I always viewed surfing in Iceland as something for very high skill professionals. Well what happens when someone who just learned to surf tries it? Even getting a board here in Iceland is hard, most people either bring their own or just get it from friends. I didn't have any equipment but was lucky that I got my hands on some gear from the guys at Arctic Surfers.
After months of practice I can definitely say it's not for faint hearted. You need to put a lot of effort, time and money for this to work in Iceland but it's definitely worth it.
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#iceland #surfing
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[@rhinonight5499]

This is crazy content I wish you could get more views your content is amazing. Keep it up

[@PetrHerold]

Thank you! One day it will happen 😄

[@charliebriscoe]

Where did the GoPro that the goes in your mouth

[@onduty6024]

Brah... I loved this so much. I'm in my 50's; I didn't start surfing (in Florida) until my 30's. I've not been doing it at all for years now. I was never very good at it. But, I could totally relate to every scene and every thought you've expressed in this video and others. I know exactly what 45 deg F ocean water feels like (Pacific Northwest in U.S.)... C.O.L.D. I also feel claustrophobic wearing a wetsuit of the thickness you're using in Iceland (had one years ago for cavern scuba diving.) I am very envious of your quality time spent with a seal. In a month, I'm moving back to my old stomping grounds a block from the beach in NE Florida. I'm out of shape and not nearly as flexible as I was, but I can change that... and I will. I've got the spark again... real, authentic videos like yours just fan my excitement. I have experienced going out in the crazy conditions you've shown... been through the emotions. It's so worth it in the end though isn't it? :D Trying and failing isn't actually failure. Failing to try in the first place is the only real failure.

[@suffolkdutch7797]

This is the reality of surfing ❤

[@hectorqwer]

You were complaing that Perú had cold waters (18 - 23C) and now you are surfing in the artic XD

[@jasonzy425]

Very inspiring! I’ve always wanted to visit Iceland but haven’t been able to. Surfing is also my new found passion and I have just started to take it seriously. I can only go out every weekend and I am still practicing pop up on white waters. Being in California is a blessing but the line up and crowd get crazy and not really friendly for beginner surfers. Being in Iceland with a few friends out in the ocean is really the kind of life I want to have. Hope one day I get to be out there in Iceland and surf with you!

[@PetrHerold]

Yess, the empty line-ups here are a blessing, I'm planning to travel this spring to surf in some other locations but I'm not looking forward to dealing with crowds again. Hit me up if you ever come to Iceland!

[@jasonzy425]

@@PetrHerold I can't wait to see more videos on your surfing journey. It is truly one of the best hobbies to have.

[@PetrHerold]

I’m planning to make it into a super long term series, so from time to time there will be videos with progress from around the world coming!

[@jasonzy425]

@@PetrHerold really looking forward to them!

[@Rogerx-fh8ko]

seeing you surf for 90 to +30 days a few months later and then getting a reality check is actually making me and many other intermediate surfers feel better . I am in my late 40s , took me 1/2 a year to 1 year surfing 3-4 times a week in my 40s to be able to catch those decent waves alone. Your pop up is pretty good and you had a good instructor, your skate boarding probably helped you also.

[@SamFranVids]

I have a question Petr herald. What GoPro mount do you use for the surfboard shown in this video?

[@PetrHerold]

Just the basic mount, there is special one for surfing but I didnt find it in the shop here. It’s a soft top so sometimes it falls off but I have a floaty on, so if it does I just grab the gopro from water. 😅 But to be fair it doesnt happen much.

[@neovyk]

one of ur best videos!! great to see ur adventures in iceland!

[@TheChrisp1231]

Whats the name of the beach?

[@flackagame5462]

ive just watched the whole video and i wanted to tell you to keep going, i'm a surfer myself and i can tell you it is NOT easy sometimes. great video, i liked and subscribed. oh and i wanted to tell you that you should come to israel to surf, what you call "perfect waves" happen in many spots in israel A LOT.

[@robsan52]

Youre doing great! "Everytime I was out of the water I was thinking about the water"...you're cooked. Because of my age, I don't surf anymore, but I still think about it quite frequently. When I watch a video about surfing I find myself unconsciously leaning back and forth...leaning in, leaning out and then I realize I'm doing that and stop only to find myself 'surfing' again a few minutes later all unconsiously.

[@manolizu]

30`s brazilian here living in japan, going thru the same process as you, i can feel you on a lot of these emotions, you`re doing just amazing keep it up. thanks for boosting my motivation up with your content man! wonderful may someday we catch a wave together out there.

[@whoisappie]

omg i got so excited for you when you were surfing those last waves (even though you didn't do the biggest ones)!!

[@tabark.s8320]

I was upset and I surfed on KZbin and found your channel. Oh my God, where was this channel about me?

[@yyy859]

Idk, but for me, surfing is the sport that requires the most mental control, because mental control directs energy. In other sports, you can even fight against yourself, but in surfing, you cannot fight against nature. I started studying Wicca at 15, and my first 'magic results' were related to the weather. I always say that the weather and nature are the easiest things to control with energy because there is no resistance. When the instructor says 'don’t put too much pressure on yourself,' it’s because that lightness creates the perfect alignment. See in this video, when he decides to relax and just practice a bit, everything falls into place. I love surfing because it’s the perfect combination of sport and magic.

[@luv.2dc]

Today I just started watching you, first with you learning how to surf and then this one. For some reason I watched the whole entire video and when it comes to other youtube videos I normally skip them . This is amazing keep up the grind

[@no_mathematician]

Loving your videos mate, inspiring stuff for a beginner surfer! Keep up the good work

[@SurrealOfMusic]

your vidéo is amazing man I love it. thank you so much

[@Patr8k]

Very inspiring and motivating video! Well done! Keep it up and, most importantly, keep enjoying the surfing. I really love the style of your videos and enjoy watching them. Thanks for sharing your passion with us!

[@PetrHerold]

Thank you for sticking around!

[@cymrucartel2378]

This dudes you tube is amazing, the way you describe yourself at the activities you do, is exactly how I am. I have also just started up surfing after having a nasty motocross crash which I have now retired from. So on I go chasing the next chapter which is surfing. So glad I come across your you tube channel.

[@jurijbauer1034]

Man ur quality is crazy i thought u have atleast 100k

[@ThinkEarth101]

WOW great video

[@ilyamoskalenko9526]

it's so interesting! keep up

[@lucaspalacios2941]

nice video men ! came to chile! for some more cold water waves hahah

[@Samkitesurfing]

You should try kitesurfing

[@jo_gurt]

I loved this

[@merlijndijkstra9960]

keep it up bru

[@zigzag1906]

I hope you now understand how easily this could have gone wrong. You really shouldn't have been out there alone, and it's irresponsible to promote what you did to other beginners.

[@PetrHerold]

It could have but I wasn’t alone. Usually there was someone either on the shore or in the water with me. I went alone only on smaller days. And like with anything - you have to learn somehow. If anyone decides to try, they have to take responsibility for themselves.

[@merlijndijkstra9960]

also just looking at how you surf at the end of your beautiful video: I think it would be a great idea to invest into a long board hard top (meaning a fibreglass board stiffer but also more stable feeling) and I believe this would really help you get further in your surfing journey

[@PetrHerold]

I’m eyeing up the 7’4 One Bad Egg 👀

[@kottybeats]

very cool guy

[@thewackenpilgrim]

Very cool, i just had my first lesson in norway - this was super inspiring - what board did you get ?

[@PetrHerold]

The first one is 8’ foamie, the second blue one is 6’6 foamie for beginners. It’s a fun board but I’m looking at hard boards now. :)

[@sijbrandpeeters]

Great progress, dude! Come to Indonesia and I'll take you to some surf spots!

[@PetrHerold]

Thanks man! One day I’ll come for sure!

[@MrZensoner]

dude you're crazy ❤

[@liveadventurously]

Insane 🔥🔥🔥 Dope content

[@NoSecondSeason]

Thanks for posting and being honest! I'm learning in my sixties, and although I don't go to the amazing places you do, or riding such big waves, I've had a similar experience. I can only go once a year so progress is slow, but last week choosing my 'own' break, on my own board and kind of riding my 'own' waves was like winning the lottery🙌 (videos not up yet btw)

[@jake55556]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@pattyoberforcher9588]

👌😍

[@zackmcph]

👌

[@teeth4416]

So cool Petr, i am 40 y old and go surfing last three weeks in Spain first time of my life. I live in Berlin, Germany 4 hours away from St. Peter Ording -> next Mission. Thx for your Impressions

[@carlosadler242]

Very inspiring ! I lived the first 20 years of my life relatively close to the sea... now that i live so far from it i want so bad to try surfing/kite/windsurf. I still go there about 3 times a year and stay some weeks each time. I guess I will try it next time

[@Hoss999]

Your surfing journey was literally the same as mine. I started on a six foot foam board so I wasn’t able to catch much in the beginning. This was awesome thanks for the content. I live in south TX and surf on surfside beach now. Want to move to Iceland which is how I found your content.

[@Cristo_De_La_Piedad]

I just started watching your videos, your channel is super underrated, please remember me when you become famous

[@lifeofmadeline5237]

I've been learning surfing since 2016 but only on holidays and always with an instructor. Now that I'm planning my 2 month surf holiday, this video inspired me so much to go on my own. Cool video it shows not just the best part but the worst too which makes it a great video! Keep going bro! 💪💪💪

[@PabloRodriguez-e3h]

As another beginner surfer, such an inspiring video man! I was doubting whether I'd stop temporarily in winter (Netherlands) but this video made me sure i want to continue!

[@A_Canadian_In_Poland]

I tried surfing a few times on the Baltic sea on the north coast of Poland (usually in the evenings following windsurfing lessons) and had conditions like that.

[@Optrix_Gaming]

Really like how Informative you are and talking through everything for beginners and I think you have set yourself goals in which to reach when you up your level you are doing such a good job of learning and improving your journey love to see your next surfing vids dude! From 🇬🇧

[@Contentslug]

At first you had to paddle from a little higher on the board, but you are a beginner so you live you learn. Also always look out for swell changes and maybe surf with a crowd.

[@MakoTheFrog]

WOW what a journey! as someone who also just got the uncatchable surfing itch it's great to see how you progressed, and what an ending montage with one of my favorite songs, it's so fitting and truly encapsulates what surfing is all about, Thanks for making these videos dude!

[@leanporras]

such a inspiration! just moved here in hawaii and one day I'll be heading out and shred the waves

[@benburns5995]

Great video, it was a life saver that you had your board attached by the cord on your foot. If you got in that rip current without it you probably would have lost your board. Practice makes perfect, so glad that your skill and confidence slowly built over time. It was interesting how the seal stayed with you while surfing. Glad you got a new friend out of your surfing experiences.

[@SamAndrew27]

You're a badass, man! Making Wim Hof proud!

[@diogocouto3005]

Such a cool video, really inspiring too, and the final part with the participants was the cherry on top

[@Richard1258]

Thanks for sharing the STOKE!

[@workingtravelingover50]

Awesome. Happy holidays. Peace, love and harmony.

[@GianCuka]

brooooooo, you have progressed so much during the iceland sessions

[@AWSMEAD]

Great vid and very gutsy going out in isolated and solid conditions. Take care!

[@harrylawrence5730]

awesome to see your progress. Keen for future videos.

[@pammiller1985]

Wow😮 thanks amazing story!

[@michaelbodhi8721]

beautiful progress

[@ezekielduvall9752]

I really like these surf videos. There entertaining I just watched both back to back and can say I’m pleased. Keep up the good work. Will say I do wanna see more surfing updates

[@PetrHerold]

There will be more for sure! They just take me a very long time to produce since it’s a multi-month project. 😬

[@yassoilcapo9952]

Amazing story

[@matejaketa6284]

Awesome experience 🤙🏼

[@Sindrijo]

Cool! You must be building some wicked shoulders in the process! I'm no surfer but I would think the fit of the wetsuit is very important so that it doesn't hinder your movement though?

[@PetrHerold]

Yeah it’s hard on the shoulders especially in the icelandic waters. 😅 The fit of the wetsuit is important also for the warmth, if it was too lose you would get cold. The movement is kinda stiff but it’s managable. Still missing the warm climate where you can surf just in a tshirt though.

[@Epiphonech]

Interesting to see how progressig really feels, not just by instructors but beginners themselves. I guess the wetsuite is the way to get more out of the season. Can't wait for the summer to get more use of my beginner-friendly 8,0 foamie! Greets from mid Sweden.

[@PetrHerold]

Unfortunately in Iceland wetsuit is mandatory in any season 🥶😅 really miss warm sea and trying to surf in a tshirt. Thank you and have fun over the summer!

[@dustyfn7321]

dope video

[@rosa61217]

Great video, really enjoyed following you on your journey. Hope there is more to come!

[@PetrHerold]

Thank you and yes there will be! Probably later this year once the waves get better 🤙

[@arc1336]

Man. What a great story. Hit me up if you ever visit Costa Rica 🤙🏻

[@PetrHerold]

Would be cool to visit! One day for sure 😄

[@frankie_lebeda]

Im also a new rider and learned that moving up on board makes padding easier

[@Lil.Chicken]

Yeah but then you may nose dive so don’t go too high up.

[@thomaswouters7347]

Love these vids, keep it up man❤

[@PetrHerold]

Thank you!! More is coming in the future :)

[@SlyCave]

Don't use a foam board bro. It's too heavy and cumbersome to get beyond the breaks and catch the sets. Get a 9'+ fiberglass longboard, like Ron Jons, Quite flight RIP CURL, etc...., You'll improve and have so much fun. Ripple Curl is another brand too. Good luck brother. Aloha

[@PetrHerold]

I didn’t have much choice since there arent many boards in general in Iceland but I’m planning to make some surf trips this year and bring back a proper board for sure!

[@antonanonym4591]

@@PetrHerold Nothing wrong with a foam board. Check out the two videos on youtube of Jamie O Brien surfing pipeline on a soft top. 30 years ago I was stupid and started learning on short boards, then switched to a long board but never really felt confident. Then after a long 10 year pause, I rented a 8 foot foam board - had a few days with nice waves and it suddenly was my wave catching machine and I was over the hill. I progressed to a shorter 7'4 mini malibu hard board - and still love it. Works in almost all conditions, I can even duck dive it a bit, and don't need to much padling power to catch a wave. Even works on fast breaking waves. For smaller days I have an 8' mini malibu hardboard, that still turns much better than any longboard, and is a wave catching machine in smaller conditions, but a bit too big to get to the line-up if the waves gets bigger.

[@mysandyballs]

Kudos mate. I’m in the same position myself on the learning curve. Essential to just get into the water, even if just for paddling practice.

[@noorhantony594]

Where has this channel been all this time ?! The editing the story the honesty and passion🤌💯 pure gold . ROOTING FOR YOU

[@PetrHerold]

Thank you so much, you just made my day!

[@noorhantony594]

@@PetrHerold wish you all the best 💗💗