Usually the time twixt is for cheese comas – but not for the Baltic. Sunday evening, 5pm and yours truly’s phone zings. A text from Polish surf photographer Krzysztof Jędrzejak. “I’ve seen something today I’ve never seen before.”
And he’s right, the Baltic has never seen a wave like this, and we spent the evening excitedly chatting about the potential. A few hours later, a former MSW colleague text about a similar video – not as long as Krzysztof’s, but one that shows similar untapped potential.
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While Poland’s not on everyone’s bucket list, Krzysztof and I have been working together for the better part of a decade. Back then, he sent me a few images, simple caption: ‘This is Poland.’ Which made me sit bolt upright – as it looked like Hossegor.
Krzysztof is one of those rare talents who loves his home surf, and has been instrumental in capturing the greatest moments Poland has to offer. Everyone knows him around the Baltic, he is professional, humble and one of the greatest humans in surfing. And when he’s excited, you know some gold is about to follow.
And it is! The potential for this wave is kind of nuts. It’s too fast, there’s too much current but it definitely has that Skeleton Bay vibe going for it.
“Yesterday was the first proper storm this autumn and winter,” he said. “Charts were looking insane like 6 metres at 12 seconds in the middle of the Baltic. I haven’t seen such solid swell incoming to Polish coast for years.
“Unfortunately, it came with 30 knot, onshore wind. My plan was to check the corner that Dylan Graves was dealing with on our last years trip to Hel Peninsula. That was the only option to find the spot with offshore wind.
“What I saw from the dune was jaw dropping. This time, it was a bit bigger and definitely more open. I have never seen such a long barrel in Poland before. First thing which came to my mind was mini Polish Skeleton.
“Waves were rolling for such long distance big and open enough to have a ride of your life in the Baltic. Unfortunately that’s the place with the strongest current I’ve ever witnessed. It can get to the middle of the bay. There’s no chance to position yourself on the peak without the jetski.”
And there’s more on the way for the Baltic. We’ll keep you posted.
