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, […]
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/
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 […]
LESSONS LEARNED FROM BEND WAVE FATALITY
On April 30th, 2022 17-year-old Ben Murphy, a local river surfer became stuck on the wave at Bend, OR. He was able to surface once but died despite heroic efforts of fellow surfers jumping in and grabbing his body. Investigations determined his death was due to a foot entrapment between the pneumatic gate/flap that shapes […]
LEASH INCIDENT AT SCOUT
Board got stuck on the wall and surfer had to pull quick release. See screen grab of Instagram post. Debatable if a leash is really needed or not at Scout Wave. People are surfing Scout easily without a leash It is your choice to use a leash or not, but if you do use a […]
NDEs- Foot-entrapment (Montrose); Logs (G-wood)
LOGS/TREE: Glenwood is getting surfed as the rapid snowmelt comes in. But so do the huge logs and trees. Link to G-wood live cam: https://www.coloradowebcam.net/camera/glenwood-kayak-park-wave-zoom-webcam Head’s up while surfing and really each side of the river should have a community whistle and throw bag. Mater of fact, bring your own throw bag and whistle. Heck […]
The Denver Surf Report 