Kiting in Alaska?

alien · Since 01 Aug 2006 114 Posts Portland Stoked

I might be stuck going on a Alaskan cruise with my girlfriend and her family in late September. I'd much rather spend the limited hours I'll have off of the ship kiting instead of shopping and driving around on a sightseeing bus with a bunch of seniors if possible.

From my quick online searches it looks like Homer has a pretty solid kiting scene in the summer months, but I can't find any info on kiting at Juneau, Skagway, or Ketchikan, which are the ports where the cruise stops. This makes me think there isn't much happening there.

Does anyone have any info or insight they can share? Thanks.

retz · Since 06 Aug 2007 132 Posts west linn Stoked

I've ridden the epic conditions 15 minutes outside of anchorage called "the turnigan arm"
Longest smoothest gorge like swell on the planet. Serious current, serious consequences if any problems occur but it is super sweet riding !!!

Not sure on the conditions around juneau, skagway or ketchikan but if you can get up to anchorage, it's sick !!!

lks · Since 06 Nov 2007 117 Posts Anchorage, Alaska Stoked

I live in the A-rage. September is getting cold up in these parts. I'd recommend 6 mill, dry suit or a shortie on top of a 5/3.

I agree with Retz: Turnagain (just outside of Anchorage) is ripping, but doesn't care what's on your resume. Some poor guy was out kayaking in the bore tide last summer and it ripped him out of his kayak, and in the process ripped his pants off. (Luckily a Trooper chopper was flying by on its way to another emergency.) Then there's the story of the woman who got her feet/legs stuck in the mud flats in low tide...after which the tide came in and she slowly drowned in front of her husband.

On that cheery note, I'd contact the following sites:

http://alaskakiteadventures.com/index.html

http://eastofanchorage.net/

In any event, why not bring a kite or two? The worst that could happen is that you get charged for extra baggage, or maybe get your pants ripped off by a bore tide in front of the whole family!

Pleasant Breezes,
lks

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts XTreme Poster

Consequences for sure! I can't imagine taking a risk like that, but I guess if you have to ride you do.

Calculated risks!!

LOL

My family wants to cruise Alaska too, and I would rather kite, fish, or sleep.

Go figure

retz · Since 06 Aug 2007 132 Posts west linn Stoked

I was in anchorage for a couple summers and rode turnagin arm
from june - august. Seriously some of the best conditions ever.
I can't wait to get back, no place compares.

Definitely don't want to get stuck in the mud flats at low tide.
I've heard the story about a woman tourist that got stuck up
to her waist, and when a helicopter put a sling around her
torso and under her arms to try and free her, she got
ripped in half !!! ( seems like an "urban legend" but
somehow I think it may have happened )

Don't bring small dogs to Turnagin either, the bald eagles
will swoop down and snatch them up for lunch !!!!

Hope the season is rocking for you Iks !!!

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

I watched the video of the lady stuck in the mud on tv a couple of years ago. the firefighters tried tieing a rope around her and pulling her out with a 4wheller but she would start screaming and she did not budge then the tide came up and she drowned. I thought it was a fluff piece when I watched it and they would save her in the end what a shock. At the end of the show they said they developed a pipe on the end of their fire hose they put on snowshoes walk out and stick the pipe down in the mud under the persons feet and blast them out.

pdxmonkeyboy · Wed Jul 09, 08 12:43 pm

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

you should consider taking in some of alaska... use the break from kiting and get to know the state as it is today... won't always be like that.

alien · Since 01 Aug 2006 114 Posts Portland Stoked

My issue with the cruise thing is that you don't get the time to "get to know" anything. You're either on the ship or have 4-8 hours to spend at the port towns.

I would love to take a couple of weeks to explore more, not tied to a cruise itinerary.