Kodiak Trooper Uses Surfboard to Rescue Teen from Island Lake Ice

A Kodiak teenager who fell through thin ice on Island Lake on April 25 was pulled to safety by an Alaska State Trooper using a surfboard to cross the unstable surface.

Trooper Anthony Will grabbed the surfboard from a local resident and paddled across the weakened ice to reach the boy, who had become hypothermic in the frigid water. Will pulled the teen onto the board, but the boy slipped back into the lake once before the trooper could lift him out again.

Sergeant Nathan Walsh then moved onto the ice with a tow strap, which Will secured to the surfboard. Walsh towed the board and the teen back to shore, where other troopers and Bayside Fire Department personnel waited to provide medical care.

The Alaska State Troopers posted video of the rescue to their official X account. The footage shows the approximately one-minute operation from the moment Will reached the teen until Walsh began towing them to safety.

No injuries beyond hypothermia were reported. The teen received treatment from fire department personnel on shore.

Island Lake sits within Kodiak city limits, a popular spot for local residents. National Weather Service data for Kodiak showed air temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees on April 25. Recent thaws created conditions for thin ice on area lakes.

The incident marks another spring ice rescue for Alaska troopers, who respond to similar calls across the state as warming temperatures weaken lake and river ice. The transition period between winter freeze and spring thaw creates hazards that can catch residents off guard, particularly young people testing ice conditions.

The surfboard proved an effective tool for distributing weight across the unstable surface. It allowed Will to reach the teen without breaking through himself. The quick response from both troopers and the resident who provided the board prevented what could have been a longer exposure to cold water.

Bayside Fire Department personnel were already on scene when Walsh towed the teen to shore. The coordinated emergency response minimized the time the boy spent in hypothermic conditions.

The rescue highlights the role of improvised equipment and community resources in remote Alaska emergencies, where specialized rescue gear may not always be immediately available. The surfboard allowed troopers to act quickly rather than waiting for additional equipment.

Spring ice conditions across coastal Alaska remain unpredictable as temperatures fluctuate. What appears solid in morning cold can weaken by afternoon, creating risks for anyone venturing onto frozen lakes and ponds.

The Alaska State Troopers did not release the name of the teen or provide additional details about his condition following treatment.