NOT everyone is keen to brave the freezing temperatures of Norway to see the Northern Lights, but surfer Mick Fanning has taken the journey one step further — by surfing under them.

The three time ASP world champion braved the sub zero temperatures to surf the waves under the aurora borealis at Lofoten, and the two Norwegian photographers who convinced him to do so just weeks before, worked to capture some stunning photos.

media_camera Mick Fanning under the bright lights of Norway. Photo: Emil Sollie and Mats Grimsæth

For two years the photographers Emil Sollie and Mats Grimsæth tried to figure out how they could pull off photographing someone surfing under the northern lights.

“To shoot a picture of surfing under the Northern Lights, there are so many elements that have to come together at the same time,” Mr Sollie said.

media_camera Mick Fanning enjoying the Norwegian set-up. Photo: Mats Grimsæth

“Technically, this is one of the hardest pictures to capture.”

On the third day in their trip at midnight, Mr Fanning donned the wetsuit and slipped into the waves.

“You can imagine,” Mr Fanning said.

media_camera Mick Fanning surfing in Norway. Photo: Mats Grimsæth

“Half asleep, jumping in a wetsuit, and then just being wowed by all this stuff.

“It’s something I’ll remember forever.”

Mr Grimsæth said he could never have imagined doing this project with Mick Fanning.

“Suddenly, I’m going to Lofoten with a world champion,” he said.

Originally published as Fanning’s epic surf under Northern Lights