Chasing Remote Waves in Iceland

Welcome to our 10-day Iceland adventure, documenting a Canadian female surf photographer on her incredible journey of recovery and exploration. From Reykjavik to the Westfjords, we captured waves, wilderness, and the human spirit in motion.

The Journey

Our trip to Iceland was the last leg of a 2 year documentary we've been making following remarkable story of a close friend of us: Bryanna Bradley, a Canadian female surf photographer recovering from a traumatic brain injury, walking the entire Continental Divide Trail, and chasing her passion for surfing. Alongside Canadian surfers Mathea Olin, Hanna Scott, and Paige Alms, we sought out remote Icelandic waves with the Arctic Surfers, balancing adventure with storytelling.

Halfway through shooting the doc, Sea-Doo jumped on board becoming the main sponsor of the film, allowing us to get to places we couldn't do otherwise with such ease.

We started in Reykjavik before heading into the Westfjords, navigating rugged coastal landscapes and fjords in search of the perfect surf. The challenge was clear: how do you take a Seadoo into Iceland’s Westfjords and turn it into cinematic footage?

“Every day was a new puzzle, waves, wind, and waiting for the perfect light.”

“It was a 10 day wind storm from the moment the airport doors opened”

The Shoot

Our 10-day trip was packed with adventure:

Surfing in challenging conditions — windy days and variable swells kept us on our toes.
Sea-Doo cinematography — capturing motion on water and remote locations required creative rigging and safety measures.
Underwater shoots — DP Matt Kuji led the underwater filming, supported by RED V-Raptor cameras.
Exploring remote landscapes — snow appeared only in high mountain passes, while most days were spent navigating windswept coastlines and fjords.
Connecting with locals — meeting Icelandic surfers, sharing stories, and soaking in hot tubs after long shoots.
Northern Lights — evenings brought the magic of the aurora, a spectacular visual highlight that perfectly framed the adventure.

The film team included Producer and photographer Olli Dickerson, DP Bronson Whytcross, underwater cinematographer Matt Kuji and myself Cris. Felt like an epic team. on the talent side, we had Bryanna Bradley, Mathea Ollin, Hannah Scott and Paige Alms.

Challenges & Highlights

Weather and waves — Iceland’s wind patterns and ocean swells demanded patience and constant adaptation.
Big storm in the Westfjords — we had to leave earlier than planned; we made it out for one last day before authorities closed all mountain roads due to extreme winds.
Seadoo logistics — transporting and filming from a Seadoo in fjords required careful planning and safety protocols.
Adventure and camaraderie — early mornings, long travel days, and unpredictable conditions forged a strong team spirit, culminating in successful surf and cinematic shots.
Northern Lights — a once-in-a-lifetime natural phenomenon that added an unforgettable, cinematic layer to the mission.

The trip ended on a high note, on my birthday. We wrapped the shoot with epic waves, aurora-lit skies, laughter, and a sense of accomplishment.

The Result

This journey became more than a surf documentary. It was a story of endurance, adventure, and pursuing passion against the odds. Remote waves, windswept fjords, aurora-lit nights, and intimate portraits of recovery came together to create a visually striking, emotionally resonant film.

“Wind, surf, seadoos, and the Northern Lights, somehow, we got lucky captured it all.”