While surfing the Scout Wave in Salida, I got a moment to thank Mike Harvey for the Scout Wave, speak with him about the future changes/repairs to the Scout Wave, and ask about his interview with Colorado Sun outdoor reporter (formerly w/ the Denver Post), Jason Blevins.
Mike said that he was hesitant to be interviewed by anyone else than Jason Blevins. I fully agree, Jason Blevins is the best outdoor reporter in Colorado. Read the article and as importantly, listen to the audio piece to it for 10 minutes of discussion about river surfing and of course the past/current/future status of the Scout Wave.
It was reassuring that Mike said he has the full support and backing of the city govt officials to keep the Scout Wave as good as it is now. He also said work will be done on the Scout Wave during the low flow season. Let’s be positive that all interests can be met for the repairs. If anyone can do it, it will be Mike and his team.
Mike did not give an exact date or month repairs begin on Scout, but as a river surf forecasting blog, recommendations are to surf the Scout Wave now because the VFMP (Voluntary Flow Management Program) that keeps the flow high in the Upper Arkansas River ends promptly on August 15th of each year.
Oh and for the new story by Jason Blevins; we are glad to see that in the media, river surfing is starting to get its due to be no longer co-opted as part of the SUP and/or kayak “space”.
Respects to kayaking and SUP, but river surfing is its own thing. River surfing is closer to ocean surfing but different… Though let’s face it, the future of river surfing will be embracing the ocean surfing style both for the waves being built and the way river surfing is surfed…..
Also, it is high time that river surfing begins to re-invent the sub-par gear we are currently using such as the current versions of pfds/vests, leashes, helmets, shoes/booties, etc. that are not really the most optimal for river surfing and in some cases are downright dangerous.
LBK
LINK TO NEWS STORY “Colorado surfers rally in Salida as local engineers adjust celebrated wave” by Jason Blevins 7/24/2023 (audio link is at the bottom of the story): https://coloradosun.com/2023/07/24/salida-whitwater-park-surf-wave/?fbclid=IwAR0SrCREFkWxdnUhRwqCRkQ7spAdivaYdfKN-9QKJuS4Msr04D7ZG4Ww0n4
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PS; shout out to Metro-Denver surfer Bartek Kajak getting a photo of him in the article styling it out on Mick Fanning “Little Marley” hybrid soft-top. See pic below.
The Denver Surf Report 