An Alaskan Adventure with Anna

December 31, 2021

Photos: Sarah Lee

The northwestern corner of Canada was our destination. Our largest state, Alaska, reaches out towards Russia with a handful of islands swimming distance to the Kamchatka Peninsula of eastern Russia. Some of those Islands have been explored for fishing, birding, military outposts and native people. Surfing, though, is relatively new in Alaskan waters, somewhat coinciding with the invention of good wetsuits. Funny how that works.

Bing Anna Gudauskas Alaska Sarah Lee Photo

The first half of our week-long surf trip aboard Milo, a 58ft converted fishing vessel, we surfed waves that undoubtedly never been surfed before. Coming in February meant a decent amount of winter swell in the water, giving us ample opportunities to surf around every nook and cranny.

Bing Surfboards Anna Gudauskas Alaska Sarah Lee

Bing Surfboards Anna Gudauskas Alaska Sarah Lee

Nothing world class, but exceptionally cool getting to scope out surf spots from out at sea and name them whatever comes to mind. "Barabara" was a chunky right that breaks alongside a steep cliff. We named it after the tuft of high grass growing atop the cliffs that looked like the partially underground shelters built and named by the Aleut tribe who inhabited the Aleutian Islands.

Anna Alaska Bing Surfboards

Some spots were better than others. As we neared Seward, we scored some unbelievable waves. Cobblestone A-Frames that reminded us of the cold water cousin of Lowers. Left point breaks that'd give Malibu's mirror image a run for its money, etc.

Anna Gudauskas Surfing Alaska

All while aboard the most insane boat I'd ever been on. We slept below deck in the bunks just passed the engine room with a roaring noise that lulled us into deep sleep every night. Despite the bitter cold and the need to restock food and gas, it was one of those trips you never want to end. If I was captain, I might never have returned.

Bing Surfboards Alaska Anna Gudauskas Sarah Lee

Thank you to Alaska Surf Guides for keeping us safe, stoked and scoring on this Alaskan Adventure.

Surfing in Alaska

Anna Gudauskas Surfing Alaska


Also in Bing Surfboards Blog

THE DESTINATION IS THE DESTINATION
THE DESTINATION IS THE DESTINATION

May 07, 2024

Travel is all about getting somewhere else. The journey, comically titled “the destination,” by some real masochists, feels more to me like a practical joke then a zen-buddha lesson in being present; a blur of drinking $9 Chardonnay while trying to stream Lego Batman across the isle and entertain a baby with a series of 10 second activities (tray table, crackers, seatbelt, headphones!).

View full article →

THE BOARDROOM 2023 COMPETITOR INTERVIEWS
THE BOARDROOM 2023 COMPETITOR INTERVIEWS

October 02, 2023

Name, hometown, and surfboard brand.

Josh Peterson, hometown Virginia Beach (born) Haleiwa (currently living), and my brand is Peterson Surfcraft. 

When and where did you start surfing? Describe your first surfboard.

I started surfing when I was about 15 in Virginia Beach, and my first board was an old funboard from WRV that was about 7’6” and had glass on thrusters and an insane airbrush.

View full article →

EL CAMPEON
EL CAMPEON

August 22, 2023

At the beginning, it was just an idea, but at the same time, a challenge I had set for myself some time ago. Honestly, I saw it as complicated since it was my first time traveling alone to Europe, and I was curious and nervous because I was literally going to another country. The only thing that reassured me was being able to speak Spanish over there. But, of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of the entire BAPU beachware team who encouraged me and gave me the motivation not to doubt myself and make this a fulfilled goal, we organized various activities while presenting the short film "El Gordo" to raise funds for this trip. 

View full article →