Who Wants To Go River Surfing?
The Best River Surfing Spots in the United States
If you don’t live near the ocean, or you’re on the hunt for a new type of surfing adventure, why not try river surfing?
Compared to ocean surfing, river surfing is a fairly new phenomenon, first recorded in the 1970s when a group of brave surfers in Munich realized there were waves in the Eisbach River. Since then, river surfing has expanded across the world, offering a new challenge for ocean surfers and access to waves for those who don’t live near the coast.
Before Diving into River Surfing Secret Spots, Meet PJ Brown—Founder of One Sea Wellness and Champion of River Surf Sister Sessions, Empowering Women to Join the Lineup!
PJ is a dedicated mother, a surfer, a yogini, and a mental health therapist in the majestic Gunnison Valley in Colorado. She discovered the transformative power of surfing while living abroad in Costa Rica where her life was forever changed as she embraced the ebb and flow of waves across the globe. She shared her passion by teaching surf lessons and surf therapy with Groundswell Community Project in San Diego, New Zealand, and Peru before settling in the mountains of Colorado.
PJ’s love for water sports transitioned into guiding whitewater stand-up paddle boarding, finding solace in the rush of river currents reminiscent of her beloved ocean waves. Her quest to connect with the wild mountain waters took a profound turn when she delved into river surfing with the Gunnison surf community in 2019. She was stoked to have found surfing in the mountains but felt alone, being the only female in the alpine waters. Influenced by her surf therapy background and commitment to gender inclusivity in the surf line-up, PJ wanted to create a safe space for women in the Gunnison Valley to embrace the invigorating art of river surfing.
Thus, River Surf Sister Sessions emerged, transcending river wave-riding to encompass empowerment, mindfulness, and self-love. These sessions embody Groundswell Community’s evidence-based surf therapy curriculum, a blend of positive change psychology interwoven within body-centered expressive arts therapy. Through her business, One Sea Wellness, she empowers women to rediscover the innate playfulness and fluidity within their beings, guiding them to gracefully navigate the unique waves of life, both in and out of the water. The river surf sessions foster a sense of collective empathy and confidence through community healing, offering each participant solidarity, strength, and a renewed sense of self amidst the rhythm of the Colorado waves.
“With the frigid mountain waters of Gunnison, reliable wetsuits are essential for comfort and safety while river surfing. We are stoked to be equipped with Mamala Surf's wetsuits this season, providing women with the protection and comfortability to surf in stunning mountain surroundings.” —PJ Brown
Types of River Surfing Waves
One of the biggest differences between ocean waves and river waves is that rivers are constantly flowing. It may seem that the ocean is always moving as well, but ocean waves form out of a vast, relatively stationary body of water. In the ocean, waves are formed by the wind, earthquakes, or tides.
In rivers, there are two types of waves that can be surfed: standing waves and tidal bores. With standing waves, the flowing river meets an obstacle, usually a rock, and a wave forms. With a tidal bore, the wave forms at high tide when the river reaches a narrow section.
Equipment for River Surfing
The best boards for river surfing are usually shorter than 6 feet, because river waves have less surface area than ocean waves. However, you want to make sure your board has a good amount of volume to keep you afloat without the buoyancy of saltwater.
A wetsuit is a must — most rivers are quite cold! Depending on the time of year and the river, you might need a 4/3 women’s wetsuit or even a 5/4/3 hooded wetsuit for women. Throw on some booties as well to keep your feet warm.
Some river surfers wear helmets to protect against rocks, but no river surfers should wear ankle leashes. The leash could get caught on a rock or a branch, and the force of the rapidly flowing water will push the surfer to the bottom. You can wear a waist leash with a quick release or put the leash on your back arm.
Where to River Surf in the United States
Not all the river surfing spots in the United States are created by nature, some are man-made, creating even more surf opportunities around the country. Unlike man-made surf parks, man-made river spots are usually free. Here are some of the top river surfing spots in the United States.
1. Boise Whitewater Park, Boise, Idaho
Within walking distance of downtown Boise, Boise Whitewater Park was one of the first adjustable river waves in the world, meaning the speed and height of the wave can be adjusted by a wave-shaper. They have different waves for kayak surfers and board surfers, with two separate waves across the half mile of Boise River.
2. Kelly’s Whitewater Park, Cascade, Idaho
This river surfing park about an hour and a half from Boise doesn’t have waveshapers—the waves are formed from rocks and cement and change shape throughout the year depending on the seasonal flow. The waves tend to be bigger than in Boise, and are open to kayakers and paddleboarders as well as surfers.
3. Lochsa Pipeline, Lowell, Idaho
No, not that Pipeline. However, this spot does get its name from the iconic spot in Hawaii. Lochsa Pipeline is one of the best river surfing waves in the US, offering a steep, ocean-like river wave. This is not a beginner wave, and it’s often crowded—with long wait times when the waves are good.
4. Lunch Counter, Jackson, Wyoming
This wave on the Snake River is only surfable for a few weeks in the late spring and early summer, but when it’s working it offers rides that can last for minutes. Avoiding boats and rafts, which have the right of way, offers an extra challenge, but the long ride is worth the potential obstacles.
5. Pueblo Whitewater Park, Pueblo, Colorado
Another excellent manmade river surfing spot with eight different breaks is Pueblo Whitewater Park, within walking distance of the town of Pueblo, Colorado. These waves can be surfed with longboards and shortboards, and while you surf you can enjoy the world’s largest mural along the south bank.
6. Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park, Glenwood Springs, Colorado
If you’ve ever dreamed of surfing the Colorado River, check out Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park. This artificial wave built along the length of the Colorado River has two breaks: the Glove and the Right. When the water is high, the two breaks blend to form one long wave.
7. Gauley River, Mason’s Branch, West Virginia
This natural river wave in West Virginia is named Perfect Wave for its glassy shoulders on both sides. Perfect for beginners, this wave has a quarter mile section of flatwater below, which makes for an easy exit once the wave is done.
Author Hilary Achuaer