Stand Up Paddle Boarding Among Glaciers
Who says Stand Up Paddle Boarding is only for the tropics! I put that old wives tale to the test as I slid out from the back of my expedition cruise ship into the flat calm waters of Glacier Bay National Park. Glacier Bay is an amazing park in Southeast Alaska, filled with glaciers and mountains rising 15,000ft straight out of the sea.
I know what you are thinking. Is paddle boarding a thing out here? Well, no, not really. The waters are a cool 39 degrees or so... in the summer. However, the conditions are almost always perfect for paddling with the mountains and islands protecting you from open ocean swell and the wind. It is a well known kayaking destination for these reasons...but maybe this post will introduce people to a whole new way to explore Alaska.
Notice that I have taken off my big, waterproof boots and chose to go with bare feet. I did keep my rain gear on, as well as a life jacket. Once I paddled away from the ship it felt like I had the entire area to myself. The calm and quiet must be like what some of the early explorers felt in this region. Chunks of ice float by after calving off impossibly blue glaciers, which disappear high into the mountains and mist.
It makes you feel small, very small, but at the same time it is like you are a part of everything... all connected.
I wasn't too worried about falling in. I'm a pretty good paddle boarder since I surf so much in Hawaii, but also I usually jump into the water here in Alaska once a week with just a bathing suit on. We call it the polar plunge, and I'll save those pictures for another time.
Hanging glaciers form the background as I enjoy the flat calm waters of Glacier Bay National Park on a paddle board.
Unbelievable serenity as I head towards Lamplugh Glacier.
My buddy who dared to come with me. For some reason I couldn't talk him out of wearing his boots.
This was a pretty incredible day. I imagine very few people have ever had this opportunity.
Feeling good.
Glacier Bay National Park is a very photogenic location. I couldn't have asked for a better backdrop.
Once back onboard I busted out my telephoto to capture some of the ice of Margerie Glacier up close.
Heading out, not sure when I will return.
The views just keep coming.
Check out the location here on pinmapple.com
[//]:# (!pinmapple 58.894646 lat -136.893312 long Paddle boarding in Glacier Bay National Park d3scr)
Keep on exploring,
Dai Mar
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Being at one with nature, feeling insignificant within the rugged beauty of the North, brilliant photography, nice adventure.
Never heard of anyone using a paddle board up there, perhaps something new to bring people into nature for the sheer joy of living.
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It is a place where you can still be surrounded by wilderness. That is an amazing feeling that so many places lack these days. Thanks for the support!
Ideal when being out to have the wilderness to oneself or a couple of friends who enjoy the space.
That looks incredible!
I see you are a kayaker. This would be right up your alley!
Yes it sure would. It’s great being out on the water isn’t it?! I only started a year ago but am hooked.
That looks so stunning and beautiful! Do you ever post about your surfing in Hawaii? (Let me check!)
I don't know if you've ever seen footage of crazy people waiting for a glacier somewhere in Alaska to break and crash into the water, and then try surf the resulting wave? Be sure to try find it! If there's a crazy idea out there, there's a person crazy enough to try it! Good on you for being that person in this particular case, and convincing your friend to join you! I'm sure he will never forget the experience!
Cheers mate. I havn't posted on Hive about my surfing yet but thats a good idea. Also, I see you are from South Africa. I've been down there multiple times on my safaris and just traveling. I've done a couple of self drive trips from Kenya to Cape Town. And you know I had to stop and surf J-Bay. It was just magical.
I have seen footage of those guys waiting for the glacier to calf and create that tsunami type wave that they ride. I would absolutely love to do it...havn't gotten that luck yet, although almost on some of my kayak tours.
Keep in touch,
Dai Mar
Beautiful! Yes, J-Bay is the jewel of South African surfing, but there's plenty other world-class breaks all around. I live in Cape Town where the water is a bit colder (but nothing like your Alaskan adventure here) but the upside is that it's a peninsula so there's always somewhere where the wind is blowing offshore! With all the nooks and crannies, there are spots that are super exposed to the swell direction to get the most out of small days, and then more sheltered spots that are still only about head high when the open ocean is enormous! If you aren't the sort to hide from enormous waves, then Cape Town has many top quality big wave spots as well. All in all, a pretty perfect city to be a surfer who has a day job and a baby, and must just get in the water when he can!
Oh I love Cape Town. I havn't surfed there yet but I've done a bit of diving so I know how cold that water is. I've got a buddy that I work on expedition ships with who is part of the big wave, Cape Town surf scene, James Lowe, you know him?
Also congrats on becoming a father. I just had my third...it does make getting in the water more difficult but just wait till you can start taking the little one with you!
Incredible! That is great you paddle boarded and those views. Wow. I found you from pinmapple and am going to start following you! Oh and who was taking the pictures?
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Amazing views in front of the glavier. Kind of daring with such deep temperatures but provided the perfect opportunity for some unique pictures. 😀
What an adventure… must have been great to be there in that vast and peaceful surroundings. Just nature and you.
Beautiful! 😎