Riverbreak » Beginners https://riverbreak.com The River Surf Magazine Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:01:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 River Surfing Tutorial for Beginners https://riverbreak.com/how-to/guides-and-tutorials/river-surfing-for-beginners/ https://riverbreak.com/how-to/guides-and-tutorials/river-surfing-for-beginners/#comments Sun, 14 Jan 2018 07:00:24 +0000 Alex Mauer http://riverbreak.com/?p=13576 This Beginners Guide to River Surfing covers all the basics from river surfing equipment, finding waves all the way to how to enter a river wave. What Equipment You Need As a starter, here is is the most essential gear advice on how to make the right choices when buying your first river surfing equipment. River Surfboard Your board is

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]]> This Beginners Guide to River Surfing covers all the basics from river surfing equipment, finding waves all the way to how to enter a river wave.

What Equipment You Need

As a starter, here is is the most essential gear advice on how to make the right choices when buying your first river surfing equipment.

River Surfboard

Your board is important, without it you cant surf. The size of your board will be impacted by a few things. First, you will want a board that has enough volume to float your body weight. Second, what waves will you be surfing it on? You want to make sure you get a board that will fit into the wave you are surfing. In most cases your are going to want to stay under 6′. If you are surfing a high performance river wave like the Boise, Denver or Bend wave you can get away with a low volume board even if you are a heavier rider.

Helmet

I always wear a helmet because you never know what could happen. Check out the River Surfing Helmets Buying Guide where you will find everything that you need to know to make the right choice.

PFD / Life Jacket

Personal Floatation Device. This will help you save energy on the swims in between surfs. It is also helpful in the event you need to be recued because it will keep you floating above the waterline and give rescuers something to hold onto.

Leash

Leashes are expectable under one condition: They need to be attached to a quick release of some kind. Otherwise leashes can be a death trap! Before you go out, make yourself familiar with leash safety.

Footwear and Neoprene

Depending on the water and weather temp, wetsuits are a great idea. Wearing a wetsuit will allow you to surf longer and prevent hypothermia. Depending on the river depth you may want to wear surf booties. They are thick enough to provide a little protection and thin enough that you can still feel the board beneath your feet.

Finding River Waves

Visit Your Local Surf Shop

Finding river waves is easier than you might think. You can go to your local kayak, SUP or inland surf shop to find out where local spots are.

Go Online

You can even youtube river surfing in your area to find out about new waves. Another way is to search online for any info related to rafting and playboating. Another great way to find suitable waves is Google Earth.

Use the River Wave Map

Use the worldwide river surfing map or browse through the most comprehensive list of river waves here on Riverbreak.

Catching a River Wave

Catching a river wave is the hardest part about river surfing. There are a few different ways you can catch a river wave. The techniques may vary depending on what wave you are trying to catch.

Dropping in

Dropping into a river wave is the closest feeling to paddling into an ocean wave. To do this you will need to enter the river some distance above the river wave. Hop into the water and paddle up river to position yourself with the pocket of the river wave. Once you start to drop onto the river wave continue to paddle up river until you feel the board catch the wave.

Jumping in from the side

To jump into a wave from the side you need to position yourself nest to the wave on rocks or in the water. Make sure you have a good solid foundation to jump from. You will be facing up river next to the wave. Glide out onto the wave on the board in a prone position. Once on the wave take a few paddle strokes to ensure you catch the wave.

Acid dropping

This is one of the most fun and difficult ways to catch a river wave. You will need to position yourself on a solid platform or rock next to the wave. Face up river holding your board in your hand with the deck facing your body. You want to glide onto the board with your feet as smooth as possible with forward momentum onto the wave. Once you hit the pocket of the wave apply pressure with your front foot or back foot to straighten out on the wave.

Risks and Safety Measures

Be aware that there are significant risks involved in river surfing, so make sure you are familiar with the risks and safety measures in river surfing. Always ask local surfers, check the river at low-flow and look for any potential dangers upriver and downriver before you go in. Also, check out our information on leash safety.

Surf more, surf better & stay safe with these river surfing tips!

Don’t take it too seriously and have fun! Catching a wave and becoming comfortable will take some time. Hit me up on my social media with any questions.

Instagram: @alexandermauer
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]]> https://riverbreak.com/how-to/guides-and-tutorials/river-surfing-for-beginners/feed/ 0 The Very Basics of River Surfing https://riverbreak.com/how-to/guides-and-tutorials/the-very-basics-of-river-surfing/ https://riverbreak.com/how-to/guides-and-tutorials/the-very-basics-of-river-surfing/#comments Tue, 04 Sep 2012 04:18:46 +0000 PhilB http://riverbreak.com/?p=351 Most newcomers and ocean surfers are wondering about one particular question: “How similar is river surfing to ocean surfing?” Some young pups think that it may be similar to long boarding on shoulder-to-overhead ocean waves, others see similarities between (rope aided) river surfing and wakeboarding. The good news is that river surfing offers the best

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]]> Most newcomers and ocean surfers are wondering about one particular question: “How similar is river surfing to ocean surfing?” Some young pups think that it may be similar to long boarding on shoulder-to-overhead ocean waves, others see similarities between (rope aided) river surfing and wakeboarding. The good news is that river surfing offers the best of both worlds.

The fact that river waves are static makes the whole wave catching and standing up a little easier compared to ocean surfing. Also, certain aspects of timing are a bit less crucial in river surfing – you don’t have to worry about watching and waiting for the right time to be next to a shoulder because river waves are more static. If you’ are fancy belly riding for a minute before standing up, not a problem.
Another aspect that makes surfing on river waves a little easier is the lower angle of the wave’s face. River waves are usually less steep than ocean waves and allow river surfers to stand up on a quite mellow face. Let alone their sizes, there are hardly any river waves with scary drops. The great thing about this is, that you are always pretty much on the same plane of the wave and can get relatively long rides, make some good turns and experiment with certain tricks.

As far as boards go, all shapes that allow to catch and rip smaller, mushier waves are good to start with when getting into river surfing. Certain river waves can also be surfed up to 8′ fun boards but the problem with longer boards is usually the increased risk of nose diving. Especially beginners often see their board’s nose pearling into the trough in front of them. More experienced riders surf high performance eggs and shorter fish shapes for that reason. Ideally, ambitious river surfers would look for a short fish board starting at around 5’8″ which handles the slower speed of river waves better and is still short enough to whip around on a smaller wave.

River surfing safety tips

Finally, river surfers must be ware of the specific risks which are inherent to this sport. What cannot be stressed enough, is that it is important to first review the water, the river wave(s), and all associated dangers, both visible (floating on the water surface, ropes) and submerged under the water (rocks). Especially beginners and surfers who a are new to a spot are well advised to review these conditions before heading out to surf. By not doing so, you may put your own life at risk and more importantly the lives of those who may have to rescue or recover you.

More on river surfing safety

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