Windsurfing near 20-Mile, Alaska
- 'Kite Beach', Valdez, Alaska (144 km)
- Mariner Park, Homer AK (193 km)
- Anchor Point, Alaska (197 km)
- Barry Lagoon, Kodiak (423 km)
- Pasgashak Beach, Kodiak (426 km)
20-Mile
Description: 20 mile a kitesurfing location 50 minute drive from Anchorage. Located at the terminus of the Turnagain arm and 10 miles east of Girdwood. Because it is the 'elbow' of the arm, it becomes relatively shallow... Its river bottom depth is at a constant state of flux, because of several factors that follow. Its location is at the confluence of three rivers, 20mile river, Portage and Placer rivers flow into the kite spot at 20 mile. Often times, when the tide is all the way out it is still possible to kite the outflow current of the 3 rivers. The shallow sandbar is in constant change but often kiteable. Everyday is different from the next at 20 mile.
There is extreme tidal movements that affects 20 mile. It can have 30 ft+ tidal differences, and bore waves. You will be kiting in 3 knot to 8 knot currents depending on river current, tidal current in coming in or out going tidal currents, you also have 2 different wind directions. East or West. You have to factor in all the variables to predict and understand the times when 20 mile is in. OR just show up and hope for the best, which often times is rideable.
If blowing down wind east toward Girdwood, 2 to 3 miles down is the sand bar at Peterson creek. A great take out for a good little downwinder. Set shuttle of have friend pick your sorry ass up.
Bring 7m to 16m kites and small and large boards.
The best launch area is where the guard rail ends on the kiting side of the road. There is a small area of short grass you can use to inflate your kite. You can rig you lines out on the glacial silt near the water. The current runs down the arm almost all the time. The only exception is when the tide is almost at its highest. therefore this kiting spot is only good with a west wind. The water is shallow in spots but you can kite thru the low tide due to the amount of water flowing down out of the rivers. Most of the time there is no salt in the water up this far in the Turnagain Arm.
This is by far the safest place to kite in Turnagain Arm. Generally when there is a west wind blowing here there is sunshine too.
Wind: 20 mile is kiteable in either West or East winds. East winds are weather type of winds. Fairly gusty and Up and Down but something. West winds are steady High Pressure clearing winds. Usually great sunny weather will make 20 mile blow out of the west. Directions: Drive toward Homer and Seward from Anchorage about 50 minutes. About 8 to 10 miles east of Girdwood there will be a guardrail on the water side of the highway. Park at the very end of guard rail as far off the highway as possible. It's a little sketchy because you are parked next to the highway. Be cautious. About a 3/4 of a mile after the guard rail is a pull off for a boat ramp. There is an outhouse to use there if needed. If you have passed 20 mile boat ramp or crossed 20 mile river you have gone too far. (Driving from Anchorage)
- Be careful of silty mud. Always keep moving to avoid being stuck*
Hazards: There is extreme tidal movements that affects 20 mile. It can have 30 ft+ tidal differences, and bore waves. You will be kiting in 3 knot to 8 knot currents depending on river current, tidal current in coming in or out going tidal currents, you also have 2 different wind directions. East or West. You have to factor in all the variables to predict and understand the times when 20 mile is in. OR just show up and hope for the best, which often times is rideable.
Author(s): Tom Fredericks & Traveler Terpening www.travelerphotography.com 907 299 1119