How Do You Surf On A River?
“Surfing in the ocean? Of course. Surfing in a lake? Sure bud. Surfing in a river? You’re dreaming pal.” - someone, probably.
Concerned doubts are something that Land Locked surfers know all too well. But the dream of surfing in a river is very real, and has been all over the world for many years. From surfing the Eisbach Canal in Munich, Germany to the St. Lawrence River in Montreal, land locked surfers found a way to harness the energy of a river into an endless wave. But how does it work?
A river wave (also known as a standing wave) is formed when water flows upstream over an object like a rock or a ledge. The water then speeds up and hits the slower pool of water below it, while energy forces the water upward as it “jumps” into a wave. So, the surface water at the face of the wave rolls upstream while the main current of the river flows downstream which creates a wave that stays in one place. Think of it like surfing on a treadmill.
On a river wave you are able to make the same types of maneuvers as you would on an ocean or lake. However, there are some key differences to be aware of when surfing your first river wave. First of all, surfing etiquette is quite different on a river. Since the waves are endless, you can surf as long as your body allows you to, whereas an ocean wave may only allow you to surf for a few seconds. However, just because you can surf forever doesn’t mean you should. Be conscious of others and keep your rides to under a minute, maybe 30-45 seconds if it’s really busy. Dropping into a river wave is another aspect that is quite different from ocean or lake surfing. Though some waves allow you to paddle in through the front, you may also be able to simply place the board under your feet as you sit on a ledge near the wave and slide right on. If the wave has access from both sides of the river (like the Eisbach Canal in Munich, Germany) lines will form on either side, alternating turns for who gets to surf next. The line you stand in will depend on whether you are a goofy foot or regular foot.
In Canada you can find surfable river waves throughout the country. Though I am not getting into the habit of giving away local spots, the Red Bull article linked below should give you all the information you need to find a wave near you.
Keep living the dream river rats!
Sources: Badfish SUP, Science of Surfing, Riverbreak, Red Bull