Alaska

Internet in awe as surfers ride “insane” rare wave in Alaska

Published

1 year ago

October 11, 2024

Internet in awe as surfers ride “insane” rare wave in Alaska

A video of surfers catching a wave that can only be spotted in Alaska in the United States has captivated viewers on TikTok.

The moment was captured in a video was posted by Ben Gravy (@bengravyy) and has garnered over 807,000 views since it was shared on August 10.

A note at the bottom of the clip warns viewers “do not attempt,” explaining that “the actions in this video are performed by professionals or supervised by professionals.”

The footage sees a couple of surfers attempting to ride a “tsunami”-style large wave, overlooked by a snowy Alaskan mountain backdrop. A note overlaid on the video reads: “Surfers encounter tsunami in Alaska and surf it.”

Despite the description, the wave featured in the clip is, of course, not a tsunami but rather a bore tide, as quickly pointed out by several other users in the comments section.

The video later focuses on one of the surfers who is shown in a full head-to-toe bodysuit, trying to remain balanced on the surfboard as the powerful waves come crashing in. The surfer is later shown elated over his successful attempt, laying back down on the board as the waves die down.

A Rare Wave ‘Phenomenon’

Also known as tidal bores, bore tides are waves that can reach as tall as 25 feet, “sounding like locomotive trains, foaming and frothing along at speeds between 6 and 24 mph,” notes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The NOAA says: “The only locations in the United States where tidal bores occur regularly are Turnagain and Knik Arms.”

The Turnagain Arm and Knik Arm are two waterways that branch out from the Cook Inlet, which stretches from the Gulf of Alaska to Anchorage in south-central Alaska.

Both of these waterways are “uniquely suited” for the formation of tidal bores for the following two main reasons, as outlined by the NOAA:

They’re both adjacent to a body of water with a large range in tide.
Their configurations are “narrow, shallow and gently sloping, forcing the rapidly rising tide waters to form a tidal flood with a raised abrupt front.”

Described as an “international phenomenon,” bore tides can be seen in more than 60 locations across the globe.

In North America, in addition to Alaska, bore tides have been spotted in the Bay of Fundy in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia as well as the Colorado River in Mexico. “The Colorado River bore has practically disappeared due to other reclamation projects which include a series of dams in the Colorado River to regulate the flow,” the NOAA notes.

The highest bore, which is known as the pororoca and can be around 25 feet tall, is found in the Amazon basin and spans across several miles of river. “The effects of this bore have been noted as far as 500 miles up river,” the NOAA says.

The Tsientang River bore in China is considered one of the strongest bores, “barreling up the river at between 18 and 24 mph near the city of Hangchow,” while the British River Severn bore has been known to carry surfers upstream for miles, according to the NOAA.

‘Once in a Lifetime’ Moment

TikTok users were impressed by the surfers riding the rare wave in the viral clip.

Po Sway Bentley said it was “insane” and Nancy agreed, simply writing: “Crazy.”

“An amazing once in a lifetime…respect my friends,” said josephdessaint.

The VIZIN noted: “He almost looks like he’s standing. So cool.”

User valeriegoulding18 said it was “nice long ride,” while user2605421615650 wrote: “Amazing.”

Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok and email.

Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com and your story could be featured on Newsweek.

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Alaska

Musician performs under the aurora in Nenana — without gloves, in 17 degrees

Published

56 minutes ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Musician performs under the aurora in Nenana — without gloves, in 17 degrees

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – A musician with Alaska Native roots recorded an hour-long live set in Interior Alaska beneath the aurora.

Chastity Ashley, a drummer, vocalist and DJ who performs under the name Neon Pony, celebrated a year since she traveled to Nenana to record a live music set beneath the northern lights for her series Beats and Hidden Retreats.

Ashley, who has Indigenous roots in New Mexico, said she was drawn to Alaska in part because of the role drums play in Alaska Native culture. A handmade Alaskan hand drum, brought to her by a man from just outside Anchorage, was incorporated into the performance in February 2025.

Recording in the cold

The team spent eight days in Nenana waiting for the aurora to appear. Ashley said the lights did not come out until around 4 a.m., and she performed a continuous, uninterrupted hour-long set in 17-degree weather without gloves.

“It was freezing. I couldn’t wear gloves because I’m actually playing, yeah, hand drums and holding drumsticks. And there was ice underneath my feet,” Ashley said.

“So, I had to really utilize my balance and my willpower and my ability to just really immerse in the music and let go and make it about the celebration of what I was doing as opposed to worrying about all the other elements or what could go wrong.”

She said she performed in a leotard to allow full range of motion while drumming, DJing and singing.

Filming on Nenana tribal land

Ashley said she did not initially know the filming location was on indigenous land. After local authorities told her the decision was not theirs to make, she contacted the Nenana tribe directly for permission.

“I went into it kind of starting to tell them who I was and that I too was a part of a native background,” Ashley said. “And they just did not even care. They’re like, listen, we’re about to have a party for one of our friends here. Go and do what you like.”

Ashley said the tribe gave her full permission to film on the reservation, and that the aurora footage seen in the episode was captured there.

Seeing the aurora for the first time

Ashley said the Nenana performance marked her first time seeing the northern lights in person.

“It felt as if I were awake in a dream,” she said. “It really doesn’t seem real.”

She said she felt humbled and blessed to perform beneath the aurora and to celebrate its beauty and grandeur through her music.

“I feel incredibly humbled and blessed that not only did I get to take part in seeing something like that, but to play underneath it and celebrate its beauty and its grandeur.”

The Alaska episode is the second installment of Beats and Hidden Retreats, which is available on YouTube at @NeonPony. Ashley said two additional episodes are in production and she hopes to make it back up to Alaska in the future.

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Alaska

Over $150K worth of drugs seized from man in Juneau, police say

Published

13 hours ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Over 0K worth of drugs seized from man in Juneau, police say

JUNEAU, Alaska (KTUU) – An Alaska drug task force seized roughly $162,000 worth of controlled substances during an operation in Juneau Thursday, according to the Juneau Police Department.

Around 3 p.m. Thursday, investigators with the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs (SEACAD) approached 50-year-old Juneau resident Jermiah Pond in the Nugget Mall parking lot while he was sitting in his car, according to JPD.

A probation search of the car revealed a container holding about 7.3 gross grams of a substance that tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine, as well as about 1.21 gross grams of a substance that tested presumptively positive for fentanyl.

As part of the investigation, investigators executed a search warrant at Pond’s residence, during which they found about 46.63 gross grams of ketamine, 293.56 gross grams of fentanyl, 25.84 gross grams of methamphetamine and 25.5 gross grams of MDMA.

In all, it amounted to just less than a pound of drugs worth $162,500.

Investigators also seized $102,640 in cash and multiple recreational vehicles believed to be associated with the investigation.

Pond was lodged on charges of second-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, two counts of third-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, five counts of fourth-degree misconduct involving a substance and an outstanding felony probation warrant.

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Alaska

Sand Point teen found 3 days after going missing in lake

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Sand Point teen found 3 days after going missing in lake

SAND POINT, Alaska (KTUU) – A teenage boy who was last seen Monday when the canoe he was in tipped over has been found by a dive team in a lake near Sand Point, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Alaska’s News Source confirmed with the person, who is close to the search efforts, that the dive team found 15-year-old Kaipo Kaminanga deceased Thursday in Red Cove Lake, located a short drive from the town of Sand Point on the Aleutian Island chain.

Kaminanga was last seen canoeing with three other friends on Monday when the boat tipped over.

A search and rescue operation ensued shortly after.

Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team posted on Facebook Thursday night that they were able to “locate and recover” Kaminanga at around 5 p.m. Thursday.

“We are glad we could bring closure to his family, friends and community,” the post said.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated when more details become available.

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