Alaska Surf Adventure with Anna Gudauskas + Caley Vanular
This fall, I traveled back to Alaska for a 2nd time with Anna Gudauskas and Caley Vanular aboard the Milo Surf Boat with Alaska Surf Guides, led by Captain Mike McCune. The entire trip was boat based, moving through remote parts of Alaska with no roads or towns nearby. Life and work unfolded around weather, tide, and timing, which set the pace for everything.
The project came together through Anna Gudauskas, whose love for cold water surfing runs deep. The trip was supported by Billabong Women’s, but it felt more like a hybrid than a traditional brand shoot. We had product to capture, including wetsuits, outerwear, and lifestyle pieces, but there was also room to explore and respond to what the environment gave us. That balance shaped the work.
The crew stayed intentionally small, with only eight people total on board. The limited space created an intimate rhythm where everyone stayed engaged and involved. Conditions were classic Alaska. Water temperatures hovered in the high 40s to low 50s, with air temps in the 50s and low 60s. Fog rolled through most days, broken up by cloud cover and a few clear windows. The waves were mostly small, made up of reef and cobblestone point setups. We surfed what appeared and trusted the captain’s timing.
One session stood out above the rest. We found a tucked away left that Captain Mike had never seen surfed before, protected from the open ocean swell and perfectly shaped. We called it Splash Mountain. I shot it from the water and occasionally from the boat, knowing it was likely a one time moment. That wave shifted the energy of the trip and reminded us why access and local knowledge matter so much in places like this.
This was my first major trip working with Caley Vanular and my first project with her. I have traveled and worked with Anna many times before. Together, they brought far more than surfing and modeling. Caley contributed a strong creative perspective shaped by her background as a snowboarder and creative director, while Anna brought experience, calm, and a deep understanding of cold water environments. The trip stayed adventurous and focused, with an easy confidence that made the work feel natural.
Alaska continues to pull me back for a reason. The scale, the unpredictability, and the way cold water places demand presence without excess. This trip reinforced my excitement for future cold water projects, both here and elsewhere. There is more work to be made in environments like this, and I am looking forward to returning.
