Last time we left off, the gang of explorers from Moscow were on the Trans-siberian railroad. They decided their destination should be Komsomolsk. From there they could take any other transportation to the the polar coastline of Russia. Uncertain about what kind of waves they will find there, they now settle down by a campfire until morning, talking about how much cold-water wax they have with them, and if there will be a cool surf shop at their destination.

Short attention spans and claw-fingers: no, not the description of a surfer in the arctic, but rather the symptoms of the internet-addicted generation of the new millennium. Today’s surfers-of-the-web spend more and more time searching the Google than shredding the gnar. While you think about that, think about this. Right now there is the possibility that a team of Moscovian explorers on the trans-siberian railroad are headed to the russian coastline to document polar russian waves, camera in hand, and guitar tuned to the tune “Something Something Khrushchev”.

These Russian islands are very distant and very cold. There is virtually no information to be found about them other than a few expedition photographs from naturalists and geologists, and what gems they are. The islands are caused by a sub-ducting tectonic plate creating an oceanic fault. The resulting deep ocean trench right off shore serves to magnify incoming swells. Will you join me in looking at these images?

Below is a picture taken during the summer when the ice has melted and the landscape is noticeably greener.

Somewhere in the Commander Islands of Russia: This island is desolate and rocky, it has no trees, it is prone to earthquakes, and it is sometimes called ‘Floating Island’. Occasionally scientists visit here to study the land, the ocean, and the seal rookeries.

The image above shows waves breaking on the rocky headland.