That’s what three surfers near the Cook Inlet in Girdwood, Alaska, experienced late last fall, as conditions were so ripe that they were able to catch a wave on the Turnagain Arm and ride the sucker for a good 45 minutes as the ripples carried them through some of the most scenic surfing environment in the US.

This rare surfing phenomena is caused by what’s known as a tidal bore, which happens when the incoming tide creates a wave that travels back against the current of a river or similar setting. When people refer to a “tidal wave,” this is truly what they mean, which is why it can be the cause of catastrophic floods and often misidentified as a tsunami.

But in Alaska, boretide surfing at its most tranquil can bring about a sense of nirvana that few boarders ever get a chance to experience. The hardest part, of course, is making sure you can keep up with nature.

See Also:

• One Surf Scientist's Quest for a Better Wave of Boards
• Wired 12.05: Endless Summer (on Demand)
• Spectators Banned From Mavericks Surf Contest
• Surfer's Sudden Death Shines Spotlight on Dengue Fever

Authors: Erik Malinowski

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