------------JLFEXPLORER----------: Surfing in Yakutat, AK

Most people don't really think of Alaska when they imagine a great place to surf, so it might come as a surprise to know that Yakutat can be home to some of the best surfing in the U.S. at certain times. When you add the backdrop of Mt. St. Elias to the picture, I find it hard to believe you can beat it in most other parts of the world.

Fortunately, I was able to get out quite a lot this summer. My friend/coworker, Freddie, let me borrow one of his boards and I also found a wetsuit I could borrow for the season. I had learned to surf for the first time in Australia a few years ago, where the waves were perfect for a learner. Here, it can be a bit of a different story. There are certain times when you can find really nice, clean waves, but for a large part of the time its a battle. You have to be quite strong just to paddle out through the breakers and that's just the first part of it all. I have a gained a lot of respect for any experienced surfer. It takes a lot of time and hard work to get good! I'd say this sport is not for the faint of heart!

The water temperature is right around 52-53 F.

The Alaskan IPA label is modeled after a real picture of a surfer here in Yakutat,

with Mt. St. Elias in the background.

Nice calm day out at "Sandy's"

Freddie riding one

Clayton with his signature style

The waves weren't big this day, but still fun to ride since it was not so chaotic, as it often is.

Later in the summer there are Coho Salmon jumping everywhere.

Sometimes you wonder if you might even get hit by a flying Salmon, but they aren't nearly as intimidating as the 2,000+ lb Sea Lions that like to pop up right near you and take a curious look. You just have to experience that for yourself to truly understand. They are huuuge!

On this day Freddie watched from his surf board as his little dog "Luna" chased a bear around on the beach. Its a good thing she's quick, because there was nothing to do but watch from the waves.

Freddie

:-)

Nate and I on our way out to Khantaak Island in his skiff. I think every single time we went out there this summer, it was pouring down the rain. That's the norm for Yakutat though. Doesn't bother us a bit.

Nate anchors the boat, then paddles over to the shore with his board.

Its just a short hike to the other side of the Island, which is exposed to Yakutat Bay/Gulf of Alaska.

The swell was around 12.5 ft on this day.

One of the first things you'll learn in surfing is that it's always bigger than it looks from the beach.

After getting crushed a few times, and finally riding one, I came in a little early to catch Nate on this nice ride!

Nate's brother, Matt, earlier in the season. It must run in the family.

Gotta go before it gets too dark. No fun trying to navigate through shallow waters in the skiff, at night, in the cold rain. You don't want to get stuck out there. There's no cell service in Yakutat.

Cruisin back

I stood on a rock and looked at this for about 10 minutes, wondering if I should go for it because I didn't have any of my surfing friends with me, and its a pretty sketchy area. It's not very often that you have a chance to get a photo with the mountains in the background.

I had to paddle hard just to get into the right position.

This is the first one I was able to catch.

Though I'm not exactly in the barrel, like the guy on the IPA label, this was good enough for me!

There was a really strong rip current, pulling down the beach after I rode the first one in. I was able to paddle back out and catch one more, but after that, the current was just too strong, and I eventually had to commit, and somehow make my way back in through the rocks.

The water was rushing back and forth as the waves came in and went back out. I waited for the right moment and dove off with the board. I just had to ride the wave in, steering around of the rocks. There was certainly a little luck involved as well!