River Surfing 101: River Surfing for Beginners

Photo Credit: Steven Walton

OK, you’re brand new to this and have no idea how to get started. Let’s get you on the river.

Step 1: Bare Minimum Gear:

No matter where you’re surfing, here’s what you should look to grab before showing up to the wave:

  • Wetsuit/boardshorts: The decision on a wetsuit or swim trunks is highly dependent on the wave and time of year. For Denver surfers, you can usually come out on a July or August afternoon in swim trunks and be comfortable. A basic 3/2 full wetsuit (3mm thick torso, 2mm extremities) is a solid first investment and will cover most June – August conditions comfortably.
  • Helmet: You’ll see many expert surfers without helmets. Ignore them. You’re an absolute beginner who will be taking many wild falls near rock sidewalls. Wear a helmet. Either grab a specialized wakeboard/kayak helmet, or at least an old bicycle helmet.
  • Personal Flotation Device (PFD): If you’re brand new to playing in rivers, a basic PFD is recommended. Even the calmest rivers are not swimming pools, and have currents and eddies to contend with. If in doubt, grab a basic $25 boating life vest.
  • Surfboard: River surfing is relatively new and there’s not an established rental setup like skiing. Here’s two budget options:
    • Buy a starter foam board: your friendly Endless Wave’s editor recommends the Catch Surf 5′ Stump model for River Run Park, Salida, or Pueblo waves. It currently retails new for $325 and will usually last a couple seasons of progression until you’ll want to upgrade. If you’d like to support a local company (designed in CO) , consider stretching your budget to a Badfish Bomb Drop for about $25 more.
    • Show up to the wave with a smile and some cans of Colorado craft beer: us river surfers have a dirty secret: we all have too many boards. Many of those boards spend entire afternoons sunbathing on the river bank. If you’ve come across this site but are on the fence on whether this weird hobby is for you, show up on a weekend with some cold beer and I guarantee a friendly surfer will lend you a board. Your editor personally recommends Bierstadt’s Slow Pour Pils or if you’re looking for something exotic, a delicious Paulaner Münchner Lager 😉.

Step 2: How to Use Your Ankle Leash:

  • Stow it away for your next ocean trip and don’t bring it anywhere near a river.
  • Seriously – there is ongoing discussion over the use of leashes in the river, but one thing is clear: ankle leashes have absolutely no place in the river. If they get caught on an obstruction under the surface, the current will push your body downstream, unable to reach your ankle, and you will die.
  • Many river waves, like River Run Park, don’t facilitate the need for a leash. If you must have one, a quick-release leash attached to a easy to reach point on a PFD or belt is the next best compromise.
Ankle leash danger river surf warning
Credit: Surf Anywhere

Step 3: OK, I Have Gear… Where Do I Go?

  • Denver: You’re going to go to River Run Park in Sheridan. Look at this (static) webcam, it updates every 15 minutes. Are a bunch of surfers lined up? If not, sorry… welcome to the inconsistency that is river surfing. If yes, great! Read on:
when to surf webcam graphic river run park denver
  • Plug the “Broken Tee Golf Course” into your GPS. Drive through the parking lot until you reach the end, near a park pavilion.
  • If you’re brand new and have a board: heard towards Chiclets. It’s the smaller wave at the north end of the park, near the pedestrian/bike bridge. There will likely be other new surfers and kayakers there (along with younger children on boogie boards). The wave is very mellow, and is a great place to learn the basics of surfing. Try to bodyboard the wave, and get a feel for the river current and eddies.
  • If you’re ready to try proper river surfing: get on the greenway trail, and hike south (upstream) nearly a half mile to Nathan’s Wave. Look for a scrapyard featuring a derelict private jet as a landmark. Hop in line and ask for pointers; we’re a friendly bunch.
  • Wherever you end up, you’ll generally want to start on “surfer left” (left bank of the river when looking upstream) if you’re regular footed (left foot forward), or vice versa if “goofy” (right foot forward) to have the most comfortable entry.

(Info on other whitewater parks to come)

Step 4: Basic Etiquette

  • While etiquette is highly location-dependent, here are some general pointers:
    • Respect the line: the lineup generally alternates between sides. If one side is substantially longer than the other, surfers on the short side should try their best to allow more opposite riders through and balance the wait times.
    • Don’t hog the wave: if you’re just getting started, don’t worry, your rides will be about 2 seconds long. Once you’re able to balance on the wave, pay attention to how long others in the lineup are riding and ride accordingly. In general, 45 seconds is a good rule of thumb for most whitewater park waves.
    • When you’re next up, be attentive and ready to go: when you’re on deck, you have two responsibilities: make sure the current surfer clears out safely, and be ready to get on the wave promptly yourself.

That’s it! Have fun, be safe, and share the stoke.