The Unexpected Magic of Thurso

You don’t always have to cross oceans to find epic waves. That was the driving thought behind this trip. While it's tempting to chase distant shores, our time in Scotland showed us that sometimes, the magic is much closer than we expect.


"There are incredible spots in the UK and Ireland that are almost untouched by the kiteboarding scene,” Camille explained.


Zoom in on Scotland’s far northern coast, and you’ll find a rugged, untouched landscape with only a handful of towns. Thurso isn’t known for kiteboarding, but its reputation with surfers and windsurfers caught Camille’s eye. As the northernmost town in Great Britain, rich in history and surrounded by dramatic scenery, it had a raw energy we couldn’t resist. So with promising swell in the North Atlantic Ocean, we set our sights on Thurso—a gem closer to home.

New Crew, Same Mission


“Trips like this are always a gamble,” Ozzy said. “You plan for weeks, hope the conditions are right, and just see what you get. Honestly, I didn’t even look at the forecast until the day before. I remember texting Camille, asking which WindGuru to check."

Some old comrades, some new recruits, all ready for what was ahead. It was a mix of Ozzy, Camille, Capucine, Francesca, and the Mystic team—those working behind the scenes to make it all possible. Each rider had their own motivation: it was Fran’s first Mystic trip, Capu was out to remind us why she’s a World Champion, Ozzy was experiencing the UK for the first time, and Camille was the mastermind behind the whole mission, keen to make it a success.

Highland Reality


Our base was a trailer park overlooking the beach. We’d layer up and head out, only to face freezing rain that soon turned to snow. “It was brutal,” they laughed, but the conditions were no joke.


From the start, the Highlands didn’t make it easy. The wind was unpredictable, and the perfect Thurso right-hander remained elusive. Each day, we chased different spots, hoping for a break, but the ocean kept us guessing.


A few sessions came through, but not quite what we’d hoped. “It was more Big Air than waves,” Fran said. “And definitely the coldest kite session I’ve had.” “It wasn’t easy,” Camille added. “We’d pull on cold, wet wetsuits, just trying to make it work.”


“In the end, it wasn’t just about the waves. Scotland has so much to offer––the history, the landscapes. What sets it apart from other places is there’s fucking castles everywhere. We visited Danbury Castle and I’m pretty sure I’m a reincarnated Earl,” Ozzy joked. “Also, we saw the Loch Ness Monster—actually, a few of them. It’s these things you read about in history books and mythology, but don’t expect to experience. And there we were, living it.”

Even Capu’s birthday celebration turned into a wild Scottish night, with Fran stealing the show on the dance floor. “There were a few moments where we were reminded that we truly were in Scotland – people were outside in shorts, and it’s 4 degrees,” Capu said.


So despite the cold mornings, team spirit was high. Camille whipped up Spanish omelets, while Capu and Fran pushed through brutal conditions with only one pair of booties and hood between them.


The team swore by their cold water gear, like the DTS Poncho Explore, a lifesaver for staying warm before and after sessions. The 6/4/3 Voltt wetsuit—our warmest for men—proved essential, while the Supreme Hood kept the cold at bay, helping extend those sessions just a bit longer.

Thurso Delivers


We all know that rare moment when everything aligns perfectly, creating an unforgettable session. The kind of session where you're in a brand-new spot, and Mother Nature turns the place into your personal playground. For us, that moment came on the last day in Thurso. We were gifted with northeast wind and northern swell, and––at the risk of sounding dramatic––were rewarded with some of the best waves of our lives.


The whole team hit the water together, grinning through the cold. “It wasn’t about the waves anymore,” Fran reflected. “It was about just being out there, smiling, and soaking it all in.” For Camille, it was a moment of clarity: “You don’t always get to enjoy the place you’re shooting because you're searching for better conditions. But that last session brought it all together.”


We’ve got to give credit where it’s due here––thanks Camille for the original suggestion. Scotland gave us more than we ever expected, reminding us that the best adventures often come when you least expect them—and sometimes, you don’t have to travel far to find them. “For the first time in years, we actually scored proper waves,” Ozzy added. “It felt like the stars finally aligned for us in a cold-water spot.”