John Kerry is hoping to ride a wave of public support all the way into the White House. But the US presidential candidate, who has been enjoying a few days' break from the campaign trail, was happy to catch some waves of a different kind off the coast of Massachusetts on Tuesday.
The veteran politician was photographed kite surfing in the waters off Nantucket. The 60-year-old, who is gearing up for the Democratic Convention next week, is a regular visitor to the tiny island.
Located 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Nantucket has earned a reputation as America's most exclusive holiday retreat. Among the other big names who come here to kick back and relax are crooner Harry Connick Jr and funnyman Jim Carrey.
John and his wife own a $9-million waterfront estate on the island, with five bedrooms and its own private beach. And the couple also keeps a 31-foot yacht called the Scaramouche, for those days when surfing seems a little too hectic.
After his afternoon of watery fun, the senator took a stroll through the charming 19th-century streets of the town centre. "I'm doing great!", he declared simply when a local reporter asked how he was.