Petrof glacier surf – pt. 2
McFish slipping into the Petrof green room in the morning light.
I still haven’t even began editing the photos from our two recent trips to Petrof Glacier, but I can’t help but share a few of the images that keep catching my eye as when I take a moment to flip through the collection.
Alex Wilson heading out for a surf with the Kenai Mountain Range setting the scene.
Jake Beaudoin surfing a break near Petrof Glacier, Alaska.
Alex, Ty, and Bob walking back to camp after a surf session at Petrof Glacier, Alaska.
Tags: Alaska, photos, surf session, surfing alaska
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SICK
Hey Scott and everyone else. I’m heading to Seward to check it out. there are conflicting buoy heights out there. I’m from Ca living in Anchorage. If anyone wants to hook up for regular surf sessions through the Fall let me know. I would like to come out to Homer as well and get some footage if possible.
-Thanks.
Joe G
jetskijoe@me.com
Hi Joe – I heard from Ty that you were in Homer recently. Hope you got some waves? It’s been pretty decent here this fall so far.
Scot, can you forecast this spot with any decent probability? Thanks, Steve
Hi Steve, I haven’t been forecasting it because my surfing buddy McFish has been so on it lately . . But the answer is yes we can be pretty sure it’s working without flying over to look. I think it’s a south south east swell that’s best.
Hi Scott (and Steve)
Bear Valley out of Seward is often off shore due to the cold air coming off the glacier and down the valley.. any localized wind effect like this here?
Robert, it appears that the probability of offshores are a bit in our favor. between the glaciers, streams, and heavily forrested terrain the shore should remain a bit cool.
another plus was it showed to be quite surfable even with a bit of onshore breeze. we had about an hours worth of 15+ knots and the waves were able to hold their shape giving us rides to remember. it quickly glassed off and returned to slight offshore by evening and the following day. obviously everything is guesswork at this time, but with no swell projected as far out as one can see, why not think about it?
.
wow, speechless…
just when surfing in Alaska couldn’t get any better it does! So stoked on this new break, Scott when is the next trip? I need to get over there!!!
Hope all is well!
Hi Kurtis,
Not sure when we’ll get over there again, but I suspect it won’t be long. There is lots of interest and with the help of Homer Air it’s actually pretty easy logistically to make it happen when the weather and swell is right.
See you around,
Hey guys,
My names Jim I reside in New Jersey and i love to surf. In November I plan to move to anchorage to join a union because I’m a welder looking for work. I don’t wanna give up surfing and i don’t think i ever will. I’m used to 50 degree water at the coldest. any suggestions? By the way the pictures from these trips are amazing and i cant wait to brave to bone chilling water.
Scott,
+2 when ever swell is up. i dont care if i have to pay extra or bring food for the trip or whatever
Let me know we will be down from anchorage in a days notice!
Thanx,
Jeremiah
Sick shots dooooodz!
Cold water is at least good for nullifying the crowd factor!
Yall! I am a Brazilian who lives in New England. i grew up surfing in tropical weather and when I moved to America, I continued to surf. Our winter’s here are tough but I bet not comparable to what you guys have over there. But I surf in the winter here too. in fact, I sort of prefer surfing in New Hampshire in the winter. There is more camaraderie and it’s emptier and I love how the sea gets dark blue when when it’s so cold out.
I saw your pics and it really struck a chord. You could have stayed at home watching some TV or something else but you chose to ride. That’s awesome! That’s true surf spirit, man!
I hope I get to visit your awesome state one day and maybe I will join you guys in the line up.
Ride on!
B.
Hey B. Thanks for the comment. I know what you mean about the camaraderie, it’s can become a bit of a survival instinct thing as well sometimes. Good fun, made funner by friends. Plenty of room up here, come on up.
Just a thought. Enough surfers in alaska, we could all pitch in and pick up one of these. Start really documenting what weather creats the best swell. I may be dumb… just a thought haha.
http://digitalxtractions.net/faces/Page1.jsp
Hi Jeremiah – where would we put it? So far most of our surfing in AK has been dictated by accessibility factors, not forecasting ability. We are working on changing that though. Boats, planes, helicopters forget the cars, they just don’t get you much around here.
[...] Petrof glacier surf – pt. 2 [...]
Scott,
I’ve been living in AK for 10 years now and usually get my surf fix in Hawaii. Looking to jump in up here, what type of wetsuits do you use? I have been looking at the patagonia r4. Any recommendations?
Rick
Rick – About time you surfed alaska! If you want to surf through the heart of winter or in the spring I’d suggest nothing less than a 6/5mm or it’s equivalent. I’ve heard the Patagonia R4 is just as warm to much warmer than a standard 6/5. Most claim it’s the wool lining and the good neoprene. I’m wearing an Xcel right now and am happy with it for a cheap option. Xcel makes great 7mm booties and mittens that I would definitely recommend.