The full research report on quick release leashes that recommends that while in a white water environment DO NOT wear a leash. Here is a link to the report: https://britishcanoeingawarding.org.uk/wp-content/files/BC_Report_SUP_Leashes_in_Flowing_and_WW_V2.1Dec23.pdf Items of interest from review of the report: The saga continues. Use your best judgment when river surfing any river wave and at any flow […]
Category: Deaths & NDEs
All respects to persons, families, friends, and community on accidents while river surfing. However, river surfing has a problem not being honestly transparent about fatalities and Near Death Experiences (NDE). Hopefully we can stay safer by learning from accidents, no matter the outcome.
Resource but not all inclusive, especially on NDE’s is the American Whitewater Accidents and Deaths database https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Accident/view/
River Surf Leashes, Critical Review (updated 4/19/24)
Open post in browser for chart of leash options (none are good)… Updated this blog post April 19, 2024 (originally posted 6/5/23) for clarification of terms and additional info. Read and share this river surfing leash info. Leash Type Good Points Bad Points (Comments to Mitigate) Ankle Leash Keeps surfboard near you & able to […]
SELF-RELEASING LEASH (Zip Tie Mod)
DO THIS MOD AT YOUR OWN RISK!! ALL LEASHES CAN KILL YOU. LEARN TO RIVER SURF W/OUT A LEASH AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. With much trepidation I will explain a simple do-it-yourself way to make a self releasing leash, that might save your life. Note, this zip tie mod been used by river surfers for […]
Tribes and River Surfing
“Over the past 12 years, river surfing has exploded and it’s fair to say that in most whitewater parks around the Country, river surfers have become the dominant user group”, said Mike Harvey in recent article he penned for the American Whitewater association about his 23 years building whitewater parks and river waves. Mike Harvey […]
The KOOK-CORD
History of the surf leash repeats itself in river surfing. Jack O’Neill was born ironically in Denver, CO on March 27, 1923. Though as a youth, Jack O’Neill moved with his family to California to discover body surfing and stand up surfing. Jack O’Neill later in life created the first surf wetsuit company, known as O’Neill […]
INDEFINITELY PAUSING PROMOTING RIVER SURFING
After much research, failed attempts for change of status quo, and self-reflection; I have decided to refrain from knowingly promoting river surfing due to river surfing’s unwittingly and knowingly negligent use of unsafe gear (in particular the use of quick release leashes and improperly designed personal floatation devices for river surfing). Quick Release Leashes Are […]
“Flush Drowning”- You Need to Know About It
On June 30th, 2019 while SUP surfing the “Staircase Wave” in Buena Vista fully kitted out with a pfd/helmet/quick-release-leash/high volume board/paddle, 39 year old Michael Robert James flush drown in the rapids below the wave. Beyond local news reports and very hushed discussions throughout the river surfing community; absolutely nothing has been learned from this […]
TRUTH ABOUT “LOCALISM” Part 1
This series will dive into “localism” and how it is part of river surfing for bad and for good. Too often surfers in general don’t understand what surfing localism really is, especially river surfers. First a quiz. Are these events localism? Localism is not specific to surfing. It happens in sports, communities, businesses, and government. […]
National Dam Safety Awareness Day (May 31, 2023)
Dynamics of low head dams are part of the National Dam Safety Awareness Day. In truth, we surf recreational low head dams; but, most low head dams are NOT safe to recreate in (aka to surf on). Matter of fact, some river waves at one flow can be safe to surf, but at higher flow, […]
Always bring a knife to a rope-a-dope surf.
Know the dangers and be prepared. Surfing with a rope is becoming more prevalent at river waves. Even if you have a safety plan in mind, would strongly suggest NOT doing it. An entanglement means being dragged under water and held down in a likely deadly situation. At the very least have a knife in […]
The Denver Surf Report 