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Standing wave riders establish the International River Surfing Association

International River Surfing Association: the new organization promoting river wave riding | Photo: IRSA

Representatives from 18 clubs from around the world officially founded the International River Surfing Association (IRSA).

The new organization with headquarters in Bern, Switzerland, will focus on promoting collaboration, sharing knowledge, and supporting non-commercial river wave projects worldwide.

The IRSA hopes to ride the growing wave of standing river surfing spots and facilities popping all over the planet, along with the construction of multiple wave pools in inland regions.

"River surfing has long since become more than a local phenomenon," says founding member Pascal Knapp.

"Today, it's a shared international movement aiming to make the sport safer, more sustainable, and accessible to everyone."

The idea to create IRSA began as a simple chat group among the first European river wave associations and initiatives. It was concluded at the International River Surfing Summit 2025 in Prague.

The newly-founded association gathers expertise from ten nations, including the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France, Canada, Japan, Austria, Slovakia, and the United States.

River surfing: the number of standing wave surf breaks is growing fast worldwide | Photo: IRSA

A Co-Presidency Format

After three successful International River Surfing Summit editions, engineers, wave builders, researchers, and surfers believe it is time to professionalize and work on a network of synergies capable of improving the current river surfing breaks and lobby for the creation of new venues.

The elected board relies on a co-presidency format that will connect existing and planned river wave projects, exchange expertise, and discuss the latest technologies in river wave construction.

The first co-presidents of IRSA are Janne Paul Schmidt (Lahnwelle e.V., Germany), Pascal Philippe Knapp (Verein Flusswelle Bern, Switzerland), Luca Toneatti (Verein Flusswelle Bern, Switzerland), Janek Moleš (Vlny Štvanice, Czech Republic), and Matthias Schmidt (IGSM e.V., Germany).

"It's amazing to see how our shared passion for river surfing has grown into a real association," adds Janne Paul Schmidt.

In its statutes, the IRSA emphasizes environmental responsibility, non-commercial operation, and equal access to river surfing for people of all backgrounds as its founding pillars.

"While commercial pump-waves are accessible only to a small, affluent audience and consume immense amounts of energy, non-commercial river wave facilities enable access to the sport for a broad public. This is true social equity!" highlights Luca Toneatti.

"Only when river surfing is accessible to many can we develop strong youth programs and fair competition structures," adds Janek Moleš.

Night surfing: river waves are perfect for urban sessions | Photo: IRSA

Ready to Boost River Surfing Worldwide

To consolidate practical knowledge and promote the creation of new, sustainable river waves worldwide, the IRSA is also building a website gathering all relevant content on river waves, from technical fundamentals and safety topics to contact points for new projects and planning offices worldwide.

In the coming years, the IRSA plans to develop best-practice guidelines for designing and operating river wave facilities, promote international workshops, and deepen the exchange between surfers, engineers, and operators.

The sport of river surfing is growing rapidly worldwide, and there is increasing demand for both existing and new wave projects.

More and more surf enthusiasts want to pursue their passion locally and sustainably, a goal that non-profit river wave operators are striving to achieve.

"By including river surfing in its official sports catalogue, the European Surfing Federation has set another milestone for professionalization in 2025. That's a step that could eventually make the discipline Olympic," concludes Matthias Schmidt.

Hopefully, there will be more river waves near us where we can not only surf, but also make new friends.


Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com



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