Calgary Journal Online

Albertans find substitute for ocean swells in their backyard

Describing river surfing to a landlocked Albertan is a difficult task.  Traditionally, surfing has been an activity reserved for places nestled by the ocean.

With the sport of river surfing gaining popularity, it is becoming a common sight to see surfers riding the Kananaskis River. “When people think of river surfing they picture someone standing on a surfboard holding a rope or someone actually riding down the river,” says Neil Egsgard, Alberta River Surfing Association co-founder. “This is not the case. You are actually surfing. You just need fast-moving water and an obstacle. And then gravity and the river work against each other and you can ride the stationary wave.”

A river surfer performs a headstand while taking in the waves on the Kananaskis River near Canmore. The sport is becoming more popular in the province of Alberta.

Photo: Ivan Danielewicz/Calgary Journal

Egsgard tries to head out surfing every weekend. “It’s the flow, the connection to the moment,” he said. “When you are surfing, you can’t think of anything else. It is just you and the world.

“You are not attached to anything but you are just perfectly in tune. When you surf, there is this thing called flow. Everything is transcended; you’re on the edge of your ability. Your mind turns into action. You’re not thinking, you’re doing,”

The association has been successful at helping fellow Albertans enjoy surfing without leaving the province. Egsgard says he now sees as many as 75 surfers out during peak season, which is between June and September.

Jacob Quinlan took up surfing while backpacking for eight months in Australia. When he came home to attend the University of Lethbridge, he started a surf club and brought fellow students down to California for annual surf trips. It was a member of his surf club that introduced him to the idea of river surfing. At first, Quinlan says he thought it sounded like a silly idea.

“I thought it was dumb at first.  I got to the Kananaskis River and my first ride was awesome,” said Quinlan. “It is similar to ocean surfing because of the feeling and the stoke and the guys, that culture carries on.  The mechanics are way different. An ocean wave is giving you this steep ramp and gravity pulls you down. A river surfing wave ramps in a completely different way.”

Quinlan said that when he started there were only a few guys out surfing in Alberta but now when summer rolls around there are a lot of people coming out to try surfing.

“The guys that go out know it’s cold and they know it’s a (crappy) wave. The people that are going to pick it up and love it are going to do it for the right reasons,” said Quinlan.

Surfing in the Kananaskis River can be done year-round. Water temperatures remain relatively constant, therefore a good wetsuit, boots and gloves are needed all year to ensure comfort in the water. Egsgard says he has comfortably surfed the river when temperatures have been as low as -25C.

In addition, it is also ecologically sustainable.  According to a statement from the Lower Kananaskis River Users Association: “Due to the river shutting off at night and environmental assessments, the lower Kananaskis River was built into a kayak course.  Over the years, the features have been regularly adjusted and changed to create unique and well-used whitewater.”

Tony Palmer of Undercurrents says that river surfing is as dangerous as ocean surfing but in different ways.

“The water in a river is moving but the wave is stationary. You can be pushed into an obstacle and the river will keep pushing, unlike an ocean wave that will let up.”

Palmer always recommends taking a river surfing lesson even if you have been surfing ocean waves for years. as well as wearing a helmet and a surf vest.

Egsgard feels river surfing is also an eco-friendly sport.

“There is almost zero environmental impact,” he says. “When we build waves we use environmentally safe materials that cannot break down.

“We want to share the current ramp we are building. River waves should be like skate parks, they are way cheaper and safer. And the cost is so minimal. There is no reason why every fast-moving river shouldn’t have a surf area.”

Undercurrents is now offering river surfing lessons starting in June, and they have gear available for rent.