River surfing is a growing outdoor activity with hundreds of thousands of participants taking off at all types of inland water streams.
Nowadays, it is incredibly easy and inexpensive to create a river surfing wave when it is not readily made available by Mother Nature.
Standing waves are fun to ride. They allow inland surfing enthusiasts to enjoy the pleasures of wave-riding thousands of miles away from the ocean.
River surf breaks are, therefore, getting increasingly crowded.
Whether you're at the Eisbach in Munich or at the Bend Whitewater Park in Oregon, there are some guidelines you need to follow before jumping into the water.
River waves have two main limitations compared to their oceanic counterparts: the rideable length is limited, and they're confined to potentially hazardous boundaries.
Consequently, there are rules and precautions one must embrace to make it safe and pleasant for everyone.
The following directives help ensure the river surfing experience remains unforgettable and injury-free for all riders.
They're common-sense regulations everyone should embrace at any spot, inspired by one of the most active communities: the Colorado River surfers.
1. Assess the Risk and Dangers
Rivers are natural environments with all the hazards that they may contain.
Know the current river flow and identify the potentially dangerous and rocky areas.
Learn about river hazards and mitigations: entanglement, flush drowning, strainers, sweepers, swift current, floating debris, foot entrapment, board strike, keeper hydraulics, pin rocks, river bottom encounters, whirlpools, cold water, etc.
Fixed ropes have caused many river recreation fatalities.
Never swim or surf alone; check that the last surfer has safely returned to shore.
Never stand up in the current, as feet can be entrapped and hold you down.
Only stand up once you are in shallow water and close to the shore.
2. Use Protective Gear
Falling and wiping out is part of river surfing. Everybody falls off their board and wipes out.
Therefore, you should protect your body against high impacts.
Recommended protective gear includes a life jacket, wetsuit, booties, and a helmet.
When using a surfboard or bodyboard, always use a releasable leash.
Leashes can become pinned on the bottom or against rocks and trap a surfer underwater.
If the water is particularly cold, wear a wetsuit that suits the water temperature.
3. Upstream Traffic Has the Right of Way
Look upstream before dropping in, and help others in line if you see someone upstream.
Wait to drop in until the upstream traffic has passed.
Kick out of the wave if upstream traffic is coming down - do not sit on the shoulder and wait for them to pass.
4. Keep an Eye Out for the Person Who Just Surfed
Watching the person who preceded your run is good etiquette and a potentially life-saving guideline.
Some say the next in line should check, some say the second in line should check, some say surf with a buddy and keep an eye on each other.
However you do it, be aware of the other surfers and river surfers around you.
If someone needs help and you don't feel comfortable helping, ask someone in line. Look out for each other.
5. Keep your Rides Short
The idea is quite simple: the more surfing people get to do, the less upset people are about waiting, and the more respectful they are likely to be of others and the spot.
Surf for a maximum of one minute - 45 seconds or less is better. Keeping it short keeps the spirits up.
Only one person should be allowed on the wave at a time.
6. Be Respectful of Non-Surfer Locals
First off, we should always treat others with respect.
But to go a step further, we must remember most residents don't surf.
So we should all do our best to be a positive asset to the town, not just a neutral one.
Give people a reason to be excited about all the new traffic in the vicinity, not a reason to complain to the town council about some wave that they don't understand and minimize negative impacts.
There are local leaders fighting for the surfers and the wave, so let's help make their lives easier.
Be friendly and supportive at all times, and remember that surfing under the influence of alcohol or drugs is not welcome.
7. Respect Your Fellow Water Sportspeople
Surfers are only a fraction of all river sports enthusiasts.
Respect all rafting, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and swimming participants with whom you share the water.
8. Assist If Necessary
Be able to self-rescue and be prepared for both surfer and board rescue.
Use the board to aid the rescue of others.
Carry communication capabilities, knife, and throw bag.
Get swift water rescue training.
9. Do Not Park or Camp on the Riverside
Is it convenient? Yes. Does the town want people doing it? No.
Just because something is convenient for you does not mean it is in the best interest of the surf community.
As for day car parking, please leave your vehicle in official parking lots.
The goal is to be a positive asset to the town or village, not just a neutral one.
10. Pick Up After Yourselves and Others
It's pretty simple.
Leave a spot in a better place than you found it, and you'll keep being invited back.
11. Off-Leash Dogs Are Not Allowed
It's great to let our dog roam as much as anyone, but some towns have leash laws, and if surfers continue to ignore it, that's a bad look for the surf community as a whole.
Respect the local laws: leash your dog or leave them at home or in a climate-controlled vehicle.
12. Don't Power Up the Tunes at Night
Night river surfing sessions can be fun.
However, if the wave is in a residential area, there's certainly a sound ordinance.
Keep a low profile, and you won't annoy the neighbors.
Respect the neighbors' rest, and you'll probably be allowed to keep surfing.
Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com
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