We were almost too tired from closing off August with a few straight days of surf to think about another session tonight, but who could resist a scene like this!? Gorgeous sunset surf session on the Homer Spit to welcome September.

This is the essence of surfing in Alaska for me -  incredible scenery and sharing waves with friends. Cheers.

Hans Bishop surfing Homer, Alaska

Typically for us Homer, Alaska surfers we can plan on putting our boards away for a summer hibernation from about May till September. Call it El Nino or what you like, but things were a little different this summer. Two things were really different. We now have stand up paddleboards and are stoked to get out surfing even ankle slappers that hit he beaches in the summer doldrums. But, ankle slapper sup surfing aside, Homer was actually blessed with some pretty decent waves this summer too.

Yesterday, the last day of August, was a classic example of our summer surprises with nice glassy waves ranging from waist to chest high all morning. Then we had another smaller but still sweet little sunset session.

A few photos below to celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of our real surf season. May this be just the beginning. Please enjoy.

Mike McCune stand up paddlesurfing Alaska.

Brad Conley and Ian Maury.

Ian Maury surfing Alaska

Matt James and Mike McCune stand up paddlesurfing Alaska

Mike McCune surfing Alaska.

Matt James SUP surfing Alaska.

Mike McCune surfing the SHUBU, an inflatable stand up paddleboard.

Mike McCune enjoying the volcano view after sunset.

Brad Conley milking one more ride out of August after a stunning sunset across Cook Inlet, Alaska.

Today I’m excited to share a short video documenting a stellar trip to Petrof Glacier earlier this year. It’s high definition so please go fullscreen and let it load for a couple minutes to fully enjoy the 5 minutes of reverie.

The video was shot on a surf trip which I reported on in this post – Fly-out surfing Petrof Glacier. And you can see all the posts on SurfAlaska.net about this magical surf destination here – Surfing Petrof Glacier, Alaska.

The video was shot with my still camera that now shoots video too . . . the Canon 5DmII. I have a bunch of short video clips stuffed away amongst my photos and if this one is well received I might just spend some more rainy days editing them together.

If you are looking to score some summer waves in Alaska Kodiak and Yakutat are two well known spots to consider visiting.

In the archives you can find a four part report from a surf trip to Yakutat. Part One, Two, Three, Four. Now it’s Kodiak’s turn. Having been a few years since I’ve surfed Kodiak myself, I reached out for this post to a Surf Alaska follower Caroline Goodman. She was kind enough to share her story and answer a few questions on the surf scene in Kodiak. If you enjoy the interview thank her in the comments, she’s done us all a great favor here.

SURF ALASKA: Please introduce yourself -  Where you learned to surf, where you have surfed mostly, where else in Alaska have you surfed, long board or short, whats too big, what’s too small.

CAROLINE: I started surfing at the age of 28.  We moved to Oahu 4 years ago [from Alaska I believe], my husband is in the Coast Guard so we were lucky enough to be stationed there.  I’ve always wanted to learn how to surf and wasted no time.  The three of us took surf lessons from the beach boys next to Dukes at Waikiki.  I’ve been addicted ever since.  Pretty much surfed every day since then until we moved here to Kodiak.  Surfed most of the surf breaks of Oahu.  I consider the eastside, Kailua town my homebreak.  It breaks like the North shore, especially in the winter.  There is always waves there.  Its a different story here on Kodiak.  I was pretty nervous about surfing here in Alaska.  I knew that I had to get in the water right away to convince myself my life wasn’t over as a surfer.  So I rented a longboard from the local surf shop and drove out of town to surf 3 mile.  It was a gloomy misty kinda of day but the water was super glassy and the waves were about waist high.  I had the whole place to myself! Something I’m not used too coming from Hawaii.  I put on my wetsuit totally unsure of the whole thing.  Then it was go time.  Paddled out and caught my first wave.  I was super stoked….stoked there were waves, stoked to have a break all to myself, stoked that it was beautiful and stoked that I was warm.  Maybe a little too warm, I had to pull off my hoody!

I am a longboarder at heart.  I like 9 ft high performance longboards, the kind you can shred or just cruise and hang 5.  I’m still working on hanging 10.  I surf everything from ankle biters to double over head.  Caught my two biggest waves at Makaha and a secret place on the eastside of Oahu.  Those waves were in the 15ft to 16ft face value.  I’ve only lived here on Kodiak for a couple of weeks and so far the biggest waves I’ve had were head high.

SURF ALASKA: How consistent is Kodiak? How many days a week on average can you expect to surf?

CAROLINE: Kodiak is pretty consistent.  You could probably surf everyday if you really wanted too. It’s pretty small though.  One weekend we had some over head waves.  That lasted for a couple of days but I think it’s mostly waist to shoulder high when the waves are good.  I mostly surf on the weekends because I like a little company.  I know that sounds crazy, but I’m kind of scared of the local marine life…mainly the sea lions.  So far they’ve just been a little curious.  But still, they’re huge!!  And they like to surf too.  Won’t catch me droppin on one of those locals

SURF ALASKA: How do we get to the waves, or are they local secret spots?

CAROLINE: In the summer the waves are out the road.  That’s what the locals call driving out to Pasagshak.  I only know of two surf spots.  The first one you’ll see is called Surfers Beach or 3 mile.  Its a 45 minute drive out to a little fishing village called Pasagshak.  Past Pasagshak you come to the first beach accessible by road.  It’s three miles of sandy beach and fun on waist high to a little overhead size waves.  When we get a good sized swell it kinda closes out.  There isn’t a channel when it’s over head so it’s kinda hard to get out to the front line when you’re paddling a longboard.  I think it would be fun on a shortboard.  It gets pretty hollow when it’s big.  When the waves start to close out the locals go to a place called Fossil Beach.  It’s just down the road.  There’s two spots you can surf.  On the left side of the beach is one called Lefts and it’s kinda like a point break.  On the right is a fun spot where you can surf the sandy shore break.  Fossil beach can handle the bigger swells.  The big rocks and beds of seaweed help shape better waves.
In the winter the waves are in town.  The most well known spot is Mill Bay.  I haven’t surfed it yet but I hear it gets pretty juicy in the winter.  You can see clips of the locals shredding it on youtube.

SURF ALASKA: Are the locals friendly to visiting surfers in general?

CAROLINE: The locals are pretty friendly.  But new people totally stick out around here.  I met a trio of locals that pretty much surf everyday.  They were helpful with answering my questions and hooked me up when I was all bummed out when I couldn’t handle the 9 ft shore break at 3 mile.  They told me about fossil beach!  I was so stoked!  The other group of surfers I see all the time on the weekends is a small surfing family.  True Alaskan family.  Dads surfing, moms hanging out on the beach next to the campfire and chasing their giggling naked babies.  I think if you want to get to know the local surfers it helps to bring a six pack of good beer.  There’s a local microbrewery here that they seem to enjoy

SURF ALASKA: What’s a crowded day in Kodiak look like? how many in the water? The vibe?

CAROLINE: The biggest crowd we’ve seen so far was about 10 people in the water.  Besides the usuals it’s mostly biggners I think.  Surfing has kinda taken off here on Kodiak.  Every time I’m driving on the road I see at least one vehicle with a board or two on the racks.  There’s folks here that have been surfing this island for 20 years.

SURF ALASKA: For the summer, what thickness of suit are you happy in?

CAROLINE: The only wetsuit I have right now is a  6/5/4 mm.  I wanted a pretty thick wetsuit since I’m not used to surfing in cold water.   But honestly I think I could go lighter.  The water temp is usually around 48 to 50 degrees.  I get pretty hot in my wetsuit.  I like to wear a bathing suit underneath it and sometimes its dry, but if it isn’t, it’s because I was sweating.

SURF ALASKA: Any tips for visiting surfers? Such as who to contact, where to stay, things to bring for making quick friends with the locals . . .?

CAROLINE: Visiting surfers should definitely check out our local surf/scuba shop.  Its called Scuba Do and they have a website.  They have all the info you need to know about surf and weather conditions.  Sandy, the owner, has been super helpful with surf gear and where to go.  You can rent what ever you need from a wetsuit to what ever size board you like to ride.

SURF ALASKA: How does surfing Kodiak compare with Hawaii?

CAROLINE: Hawaii and Alaska are equal in beauty.  I like to refer to Kodiak as Hawaii’s 9th island.  I’m just stoked there’s surf and surf for all levels.  There isn’t as much surf here in Kodiak as there is in Hawaii but at least there’s surf.  I’m used to perfect peeling reef breaks.  Here it’s a bit different.  What I’ve surfed so far has been fast shorebreak because of the sandy bottom.  The huge boulders and kelp beds kinda act like a reef break but it’s different.  I feel like I’m a biggner again.  Surfing with a wetsuit in cold water is very challenging.  It’s very new and that makes me timid.  In Hawaii I’d just roll out of bed and roll into the water with my board.  You have to prepare when you want to surf in Alaska.  You really gotta check the weather and tides because its a long drive out and you don’t want to be let down if the surf isn’t good.  Then you got to get all your gear together, pack water, extra clothes, fishing poles, stuff to make a fire and goodies to eat…it’s usually an all day affair.  Alaska and Alaska surf isn’t for everyone.  If you like empty line ups, wide open spaces, pristine water, spectacular mountains, salmon, berries, abundance of wildlife, zero traffic and don’t mind the cold…you’ll love it!

SURF ALASKA: Let me be the first to thank you for taking the time to tell your story of surfing in Alaska and share some information for us all!

If any of you other readers catching waves in Alaska would be willing to share in this way please contact me. I’d love to get more interviews like this on the site.

Mike McCune first time stand up paddlesurfing Alaska!

The surf report between May and September in Homer, Alaska is typically pretty bleak. It’s actually sort of a wonder that we get waves here at all considering that Kachemak Bay is completely sheltered from any open ocean swell. In the Summer this is excruciatingly apparent.

The tide has changed here though, with the launch of the Surf Alaska stand up paddlesurfing division bringing a sudden influx of stand up paddleboards we’re not planning on leaving our wetsuits to dry for 3-4 months this summer. We have a new motto we repeat with great satisfaction as we look out at the shin high wind chop breaking on the Homer Spit – ‘we could surf that’.

Ty Gates stand up paddlesurfing in Alaska

It was felt appropriate that our first summer stand up paddlesurf session was yesterday, on July 4th – Independence Day. We celebrated our independence from our dependence on winter storm systems to bring us waves. They may not have been the most awe inspiring rides we’ve had, but as most of us are just learning to drive these tankers, it was plenty of fun to go around.

Now for the record . . . Homer is not the only place to surf in Alaska, it just happens to be where Surf Alaska is based. Cordova, Kodiak, Yakutat, Sitka, Montague Island and many other known surf spots have great surf potential year round. Getting there is not always easy or cheap so us Homerites are stoked to have an option for us to play surfer during the summer now too.

If you can tell how much fun this is and want to try this stand up paddling thing out yourself, let me know in the comments or contact me. I’m offering free demos with the paddleboards and plan to be driving up and down the road between Homer and Anchorage. No wetsuit, no problem, got those too. The boards are fun on flat water too.

Matt James surfing through another yard sale.

Matt James standup paddlesurfing Alaska

Wendy Toymil heading out for her first stand up paddlesurf session.

You might expect that such a big board would be easier to stay on. Some things just don't make sense.

Matt James and Stephanie Dickerson

Ty Gates stand up paddling Alaska.

It’s July fourth here in Alaska this morning -  Independence Day, a historical date to celebrate. And we have good reason for celebration, there is a tiny little swell hitting the Homer Spit. It might not be enough to ride on a surfboard, but we’ll be out there having a ball on the four new Surf Alaska stand up paddle boards.

In October of 2008 my surf stoke bursted out into the beginnings of the SurfAlaska.net blog. Since then 58 posts have been published including photos, trip reports, information and more photos about surfing in the last frontier.   I just believed that with this much passion and enthusiasm something would work out to reward me for all the time invested.The time has come.

I’m excited to announce (if you didn’t already hear on facebook) .  . .

It’s business time!

You can sing it like the ‘Flight of the Conchords‘ if you like.  Surf Alaska is officially in business.

For all my readers here online this will equate to a lot more content as I now have even more reason to be out there surfing, photographing, and exploring the surf potential in Alaska to share it all with you.

What is this business?

I’m starting this show off with a dealership for Surfboards, Stand up Paddleboards and all the wetsuits, gloves, booties, hoods etc.. that make surfing in AK not just possible, but even comfortable. And of course the Surf Alaska t-shirts.  Surf and stand up boards are coming from Boardworks and North Pacific. Wetsuits from Matuse, Xcel, and Hyperflex. The inventory is growing almost daily and anything these fine companies offer can be ordered. You can count on a competitive price, experienced advice and service with a smile. I hope to make it easy for everyone to find the right gear and information they need to start getting on (or in) the water.

The core of the business for this summer of 2010 will be introducing stand up paddlesurfing to Alaska. Surf can be hard to find on the road system especially in the summer months, but it’s easy to find a gorgeous piece of water to take an SUP out for a paddle on. Surf Alaska has a mobile shop in a 16ft covered trailer that is being setup for doing demo days between Homer and Fairbanks. We’ll roll up and put anyone who’s interested in a wetsuit and on a beginner friendly stand up paddleboard to try it out.

And that, my friends, is all the time I’ve got this morning, there are waves out there and nobody is riding them!

Time to get to work, it’s surfing time!

Mike McCune surfing at Petrof Glacier in Alaska.

A swell that was tracking towards Petrof Glacier went off course and diminished spoiling our plans for yet another fly out surf adventure in the wilds of Alaska. Well, seriously, how spoiled can we be? really? Catching up on office and yard projects here today I’m daydreaming about our last trip. Yet to post the full report but here is one teaser photo too keep the stoke alive.

I’ve been busy working behind the scenes on exciting things for Surf Alaska. Sneak peak of what’s coming soon: Surf and SUP boards, wetsuits + accessories all for sale/rent/demo beginning July 1st.

See you on the water!

If you have been a regular here at SurfAlaska.net you should be familiar with our fly-out surfing adventures to Petrof Glacier. In a nutshell we pile into a bushplane at the Homer Airport and after 20 minutes of flying over some incredible ocean, mountain, glacier, and ice field scenery we are at a sweet surf beach in the wilds of Alaska.

Map showing the flightpath from Homer to the Petrof Glacier surf break

The quick flight can be a bit like driving your car to the local break except this local break is in classic Alaskan wilderness and you’ve never seen anyone else surfing there besides your friends who hitched a ride with you. To be fair there are some other factors involved. . . The weather has to be just right to allow us to fly over the mountains. The tide has to be low for us to land on the beach. The airplane and pilots must be available, and last but not least, there needs to be a SSE swell in the gulf of Alaska. I’ve lost track of how many surf trips we’ve made to Petrof in the last couple years, it must be somewhere close to the number of fingers I have to count with.

Last Saturday in the heart of Memorial Day weekend when the holiday makers where plugging up the tourism scene in Homer, Alaska we escaped for an evening surf session at Petrof Glacier. The waves were glassy with perfect shape ranging from waist to shoulder high. The break was a little crowded with harbor seals but we found a spot amongst them to catch a few quick and sick beach break barrels.

Flying over the glaciers and ice field in the Kenai Mountains

Mike McCune looking for a first glimpse of the surf at Petrof Glacier.

Mike McCune surfing at Petrof Glacier in Alaska.

Flying back home over the glaciers into a gorgeous sunset after 10pm

Click the Petrof tag for more photos and stories about our surfing adventures to Petrof Glacier.

The suspense was excruciating.

The swell forecast looked strong for three to four days over the weekend but the flying forecast was marginal. For the first three days the clouds were hanging thick around the Kenai Mountains preventing us from flying through them to our favorite fly-out surfing paradise in the wilds of Alaska. The morning of the last promising day of the swell also brought some hope for a flight.

Finally, late Monday morning we had the opportunity to go for a day trip. Mike, Gart and I couldn’t talk anyone else into filling the empty fourth seat so there we were, just the three of us with head high to a couple feet overhead Petrof peelers all to ourselves. the surf was good all day long, but especially hot around mid tide this time.  Below is a photo report captured between my sessions.

Mike McCune - gets of the bus after his commute over the mountains and glaciers to another day on the job.

Mike McCune surfing Petrof Glacier, Alaska

Mike McCune surfing Petrof Glacier, Alaska

Mike McCune surfing Petrof Glacier, Alaska

Mike McCune surfing Petrof Glacier, Alaska

Gartly Curtis surfing Petrof Glacier, Alaska

Snow covered mountain peaks peaking over a swell as Mike paddles out.

Mike McCune surfing Petrof Glacier, Alaska

Sitting around the campfire waiting for the plane when we could surf no more.

The flight home over the mountains and glaciers at sunset was stunning.

For those of you interested in joining us on one of these trips here are some answers to FAQs.

• Cost is usually around $150-$250 each for the flight.
• We can camp, but often the weather suggests that we best get in and out lest we get stranded for more days than planned.
• The swell is fairly predictable, but the flying weather is flaky which leaves us often waiting with packed bags. If you want to come from Anchorage or somewhere else I’d suggest just planning on being here waiting with us because when it’s time to go we usually only have a couple hours of notice.
• It’s a sweet right break that seems to hold up pretty well for anything from waist high to a few feet overhead on the faces. We haven’t seen it bigger but suspect it could handle it fine as well. It can be hollow and barrelling or just nice steep and fast depending on the shape of the bar that day and the swell/wind

There is a killer swell over there right now, bigger than we’ve seen, but it’s no fly weather so just enjoy the photos and get back to work . . .

Just one shot before I collapse into bed.

Thirteen hours ago I was scrambling my way to the Homer Airport for another fly-out surf adventure to Petrof Glacier. Six hours ago I took this photo of Mike ripping by me on a head high peeler below snow covered mountains. And for the next eight hours I’ll be dreaming about this incredible day in the wilds of Alaska surfing overhead waves with just a couple friends.