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Playspot: Iceland, North East Iceland, Lagarflot, Lagarfoss Weir.

What's it like

Lagarfoss Weir is a man made weir to maintain the level of lake Lagarflot for hydro power generation. The weir itself is huge (70 meters wide with four gates, each 15 meters wide). Each gate has a wave and a hole below it with varying degrees of size and composition. Looking downstream from the weir, the gates are numbered 1-4 from left to right.

Gates 1 and 4 seem the best as they have the largest hole and waves and are the easiest to access. All moves go on both waves: ends, spins, cleans, blunts etc and maybe some of the newer moves. The depth seems fine although if you go deep you may hit the bottom. The waves and holes are steep and very fast but the green water is at a very low angle on its way into the wave.

Best time: The lake has optimum levels from May till late August. Check the link below for the gauge website (the ideal level seem to be about 2025 - 2050 on the lower table).

The only problem with this wave is that it is not suitable for novices as a swim here could be very dangerous due to the unrunnable fall approximately 800 meters downstream. The last eddies are only about 50 meters downstream and the water speed is fast.

How to get there

To get to the weir is very easy with road access right up to the edge of it: Take Route 1 (West) from Egilsstadir in N.E. Iceland (towards Akuyeri), cross the lake and drive through the small village of Fellabær (Fellabaer). Approximately 2 kilometers past Fellabaer take the first right onto route 925 and keep driving until the next turn signposted Lagarfoss (20 minutes). After one minute you will see the playspot on your left. You can park on the other side of the weir bridge on the left.

More info

Arctic Rafting (in Icelandic; an English website is available as well).

Locals

Iceland has such a small population that you are unlikely to meet anyone except maybe a few tourists passing through, the odd farmer and very occasionally the people from the hydro company. Icelandic people are some of the friendliest, so you are very unlikely to have any trouble.

Events

The first freestyle event was held here on July 28 2001 and was a great success with competitors from Nepal, USA, Wales, England, Norway and Iceland. The event was hosted by Arctic Rafting with the goal to encourage the Icelandic Kayak Club in to holding larger, higher profile events. All the none-domestic competitiors considered this wave world class quality. Some pictures of the event are available here.

Info sources

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