Thoughts on Lib Technologies entry into the river surfing and rapid wave pool “space” w/ their “Whirlpool” model surfboard. This summer Lib-tech, one of river surfing’s favorite “pop-out” surfboard manufacturers, has jumped into the river surfing scene an Alternative Surf High Performance surfboard oddly or aptly named the “Whirlpool“. Lib says that their Whirlpool surfboard […]
Category: How to River Surf
Know before you go, so you don’t get hurt or worse.
“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 […]
Learning to Pop-up in the River by Mr. Mike
You might be wondering if you should learn how to pop-up for river surfing. After all, there are quite a few great river waves you can ride without ever having to, so it may not seem necessary. But I recommend that you do for the following reasons: There are some key waves that require a […]
TRUTH ABOUT “LOCALISM” Part 2
This is the second part of the series about “localism” and how it is part of river surfing, though rarely… Again a quiz. Are these events localism? There is a considerable line-up at the river wave. A new person to that river wave shows up to surf and just can’t figure out the wave and […]
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? Surfing in the ocean, you line-up for a wave, start paddling for the wave, […]
SURF RASH: Cause, Prevention, Treatment
This river surf season of 2023 has been incredible but your skin might not agree. Surf rash might be creeping up on you. Surf Rashes: Surf rashes are wetsuit rashes that develop over time as skin rubs against wetsuits repeatedly, causing skin irritation and inflammation. Another form of surf rash is prickly heat rash that […]
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, […]
River Surf Helmet Options Review Updated 8/5/24
Do you really need a river surf helmet? Yes but here is why. In river surfing, the board hunts your head. Unfortunately no helmet will protect you 100%; well, except for one or two helmets that you will likely not use but may change your mind. Scientific Testing of river surfing helmets. Currently there are […]
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 […]
How Long is Your Turn?
Just how long should your turn on a river wave last? Thirty seconds? A minute? Minutes? Well, it depends. River surfing is a community thing. Majority of river waves these days are purposefully made for surfing using taxpayer funds to build them. Sure there are a handful of natural river waves, or boat chutes that […]
