Scouting Swells in Southeastern Alaska
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Hana, Mary, and company showed up to Yakutat, Alaska with a fierce desire to surf, but very little knowledge of the area. Luckily, their first stop was at the Icy Waves Surf Shop, where shopkeeper and local legend Jack Endicott was more than willing to fill them in on the area's surf beta. "We learned that there are three main spots around town, and spent our first half-day scouting them in the Ranger," said Justin Mayers, one of the team's cinematographers. "Mary took charge of looking at the surf forecast, so we had a pretty good idea what the currents and winds were doing." After an afternoon of scouting, the team was ready to suit up and catch some waves the following day. Unfortunately, the waves were a little bigger than Hana and Mary had expected. "It was super big and gnarly out there on the first day," recalled Mayers.
Hana looking majestic after a successful ride. Justin Mayers photo.
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They headed to another break on the second day, but were skunked by unexpectedly small swell. Nevertheless, hanging out in a bay surrounded by the world's tallest coastal mountains was enough to satisfy the team, none of whom had been surfing in Alaska before. "Hana and Mary have both spent time surfing in Washington," said Mayers, "but Alaskan surf was new to everybody on the team." Following a mellow day two, the athletes were hoping that day three would cough up some sizable waves. Their prayers were answered, and the third day proved to be the best yet. "The waves were firing, and Hana and Mary were ready to take full advantage," Mayers said. Surfing in Alaska might have been out of the team's comfort zone, but the combination of perseverance and some local knowledge made the stop in Yakutat a successful one.
