Kitesurfing Homer Alaska
“Did you see those guys parachuting with waterskis?! Or where they kayaking with a hang glider?â€
Kitesurfing is a real attention getter, rubbernecker and comment generator. The first time I saw someone kitesurfing a few years ago I didn’t know what to say either, I just knew I wanted to find someone to blurt out some excited nonsense to: “I saw this guy and he was doing this thing on the water with a parasail and ripping super fast and flying up in the air spinning and then I don’t know what else but it looked incredible.â€
It may have become commonplace in many coastal towns in America by now, but when kitesurfers are spotted in Alaska they still arouse outbursts of excitement. Lots of people in my hometown have surprised me with descriptions of UFO’s seen last weekend when they were walking their dog on the beach. I usually have the pleasure of asking them if they saw the little floating head with the big camera in the water as well. So far I seem to go mostly unnoticed, or they don’t hear my question because they are talking over me trying to explain this crazy thing they saw.
So what is kitesurfing? Basically it’s flying a huge kite that is so powerful that it can drag you around, up, and down. The kite has 4 lines attached allowing you to control its flight, it has a ‘control bar’ which you steer with, and it attaches to a harness you wear that. The surfing part happens when you get out on the water and stand on your board which is a cross between a wakeboard and a surfboard. The kite then drags you to and fro, lifting you off the water when you fly it certain ‘zones’ above you. This tangle of lines and fabric, which easily fits in a backpack, launched into a 15 mph wind will amaze anyone with its Hummer like horsepower. One of the greatest and most magical things about kitesurfing is this incredible power available without the consumption of fossil fuels; a non-motorized sport that can thrill even a diehard motorhead. Kiting brings a whole other level of excitement with it’s reliance on wind, especially when you sense that maybe your not in total control of the situation- similar to riding in your girlfriend’s car when the roads are icy.
These photos were taken in Homer, Alaska; where every sunny summer day brings a daybreeze onshore creating ideal kitesurfing conditions. A growing number of the locals have started making the most of this setting, allowing me some good opportunities to shoot Alaskan kitesurfing photos. We have been discussing plans to pioneer a few of the countless ‘unkited’ locations around Alaska, so stay tuned for trip reports from the Kite Alaska team. If you are interested in getting involved post a comment below.
awesome picture scott you rock and so dose kitesurfing in homer alaska see you out on the water
That Tom Fredricks is quite the kiteboarder! Must come from good stock. -His Big Brother
How long is kiteboarding season in Alaska? Your pictures look great.
@ Tony - He sure can rip, and I'll bet you are right about the good stock. I'm looking forward to the next Tom Fredricks photo shoot for sure. Hopefully snowkiting this winter.
Yo. This stuff is amazing. Can i be part of your guys kite team? That would kick royal bootay. haha, Thanks! Kyla
First started looking at kite boarding for winter boarding? Anyone tried that? email me at nickandnicolnelson@yahoo.com would like to more info on sport thanks Nick
I will be flying to Ancorage on 9-6 to go fishing and will be around Homer and need to know what the hot spots might be to kitesurf and what size kites i should bring? Thanks
Im moving to Juneau, and there's no beach to go Kite Buggying on, so now it looks like I'll be moving to the water, nice to see that I won't be the only one to be tempting the Orca's :)
How is the water temperature? Awesome photos man, nice hang time.
Thanks! water temps? vary by season obviously but if I remember right middle of winter it's mid 30ºF late summer maybe upper 40º . . .
Ok, so I am ready. Will fly tomorow from Frankfurt to Anchorage. I stay until mid August in Sterling and I got a car to drive down there. Anyway we spend some days for halibut fishing in Homer. See you on the beach, I am the guy which is freezing to death with a kite you never saw before:)
Id love to try kitesurfing! looks like an amazing sport. And thats coming from me and im a windsurfer! Maybe on my next holidays.
Is this something my husband can try out? Is there someone in Anchorage to give him lessons or something?
Contact Tom Fredericks in Anchorage @ (907) 947-4775
Hi Scott, Can you recommend a good spot for beginner kite surfer (with windsurfing experience.. :) ) in late July? I will be arriving in Anchorage on July 23rd staying to Aug 10th or so. Many thanks, Mac