Tom Fredericks Lead Instructor/ Canopy Specialist  What can be said about the Guru himself. AKA is the brain child of Mr. Fredericks who moved to Alaska to pursue his Snowkiting Dreams. Dreams do come true. As AKA’s senior instructor, Tom likes long downwinders on the glacier, and tropical sunsets. His life is intimately connected to earths elements as his past shows. As a professional kayaker and industry designer, Tom discovered Kiteboarding while living in “The Gorge” in Oregon, a kayakers and wind surfers mecca. Instantly hooked, Tom has introduced so many people to this sport through his generosity and kindness and has kited in some of Alaska’s most remote and mountainous terrain. Tom is also AKA’s Freestyle specialist and fly’s like a bird. Whether on water or snow, Tom is all smiles with a kite in his hands.
Eric Newbury Instructor/ SnowMachine Specialist  Eric is responsible for much of the energy and enthusiasm behind AKA. He’s always the go to guy when you need someone to rally and inspire the crew to new heights. Few people have the ability to learn and master new skills as quickly as Eric. Watching Eric kite is second only to watching him on a snowmachine. As an AKA instructor, he can only be described as positive, enthusiastic, and encouraging. When Eric’s not kiting, he’s running a fishing boat in Prince William Sound or shredding his home turf on Mt. Baker.
Obadiah Jenkins Lead Guide/Instructor  Obadiah, a graduate of Alaska Pacific University, did his senior thesis on Snowkiting. He developed the first Snowkite specific teaching curriculum in the USA for his university and it has mushroomed into the AKA curriculum and certifications courses. Obadiah is an experienced guide across Alaska from Whitewater and Sea Kayaking, to Winter Wilderness survival, Avalanche education, Crevasse rescue, and Snowkite guiding. Obadiah’s love of kiting can be seen in his enthusiasm when teaching the sport, but he is at his best in the glacial wilderness he calls his second home. When Obadiah’s not kiting you’ll find him fishing in Alaska, whitewater kayaking, or recovering from his last mega-loop disaster.
Big Lake Steve Instructor/ Canopy Specialist  Steve is quickly becoming the Canopy Captain of Alaska. As one of AKA’s Lead Instructors, Steve has upped the ante on kiting enthusiasm. This man is responsible for turning spectators into kiters in record time! Steve is currently schooling himself on every craft with a canopy known to man. From Paramotor to a Low Boy 2 Quad buggie with a 42 meter glider, Steve loves finding new ways to fly. Steve has opened up kiting in the Bush and is introducing the sport all across the state to anyone and everyone willing to try something new.
Mike Gimmeson Guide/ Ski Specialist  Gimme is the Ski Mountaineering specialist here at AKA. As one of our backcountry guides, Gimme has been through some pretty amazing storm cycles in the Inner Chugach, and delivered the goods despite the 9 new feet of snow. If you want your experience to include some amazing Skiing, the you gotta get Gimme!
Jeff “El Jefe” Brown  Homegrown in Alaska since 1971, Jeff abandoned competitive cross-country skiing in order to spend quality time knuckle-dragging the Chugach and Talkeetna mountains when snowboards had no metal edges and half-pipes were either made by nature or dug by hand. It wasn't long before he and his snow addict cronies were pioneering the earliest snowkiting in Colorado in 1999. Always fired up to see newbies getting hooked on kiting while experiencing the amazing locations that Alaska has to offer, Jeff is one of AKA's most experienced kiters and enjoys balancing a healthy obsession with safety with an enthusiastic sense of adventure. When the wind is dead Jeff is a "sold out musician" writing music and making noise for clients using a guitar, accordion, nose-whistle, a computer and his fists.

AKA Instructors & Guides

Gavin Mulvay Expedition Leader/ Guide  Gavin spends more time kiting than anyone i’ve ever met. Hands down, Gavin loves to kite, and wont allow anything to get in his way. Hailing from the South Island of New Zealand, Gavin has been designing and building kite equipment and buggies for Peter Lynn Kites for years. Having traveled the world and brought kites and ski’s with him everywhere he goes, Gavin’s knowledge and experience knows no bounds and his inventions and home-made equipment will astonish you. If your lucky enough to have Gavin as your guide, be prepared for a healthy cuisine, %100 motivation, and more laughs than you can handle. One of his many accomplishments involves Antarctica, a snowcave, and way too much free time. Ask him about it if you get a chance.
Gunner Cantwell Ski Mountaineer/ Guide  Gunner is a Texas transplant who furthered his outdoor education through Alaska Pacific Universities Outdoor Education program. Through his time and travels in Alaska, Gunner has proven himself as an experienced guide from kayaking the cold waters outside of Seward, to the high peaks of the Alaska Range with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School). Gunner has been a ski patroller at Alyeska Resort and spends his free time climbing and skiing the peaks around Girdwood. After Learning to kite on snow in AK, Gunner traveled to Maui to continue his education on the water. If its steep and deep that you want, Gunnar delivers.
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