Film/Edit: Shaun Daley // http://instagram.com/shaun_daley and shaundaleyphoto.com
Surfer: KB // Strongwater Surf

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• Date: Thursday, June 14th, starts at 6pm
• Sign ups: 5pm-6pm
• All Ages

The comp will be a banger, so don’t miss out on this! Let’s keep the good vibes & good times rolling!

The post River Surf Comp – Missoula appeared first on Riverbreak.

Nate, tell us a bit about your background …

I am 25 years old from Cincinnati, OH and have been living in Montana since 2011. I started messing around with cameras and editing in middle school and have expanded that over the years to skiing, astrophotography, and river photography.

Describe your photographic style. What story do you try to capture in your imagery? What’s your philosophy?

I try to capture not only the sport of surfing but the natural beauty that surrounds the rivers we have in Montana and Idaho. My philosophy is simple, shoot as much as I can and meet new people along the way.

Prime time at Pipeline Wave on the Lochsa River

What are some of your favorite images you captured and why?

Cam Fuller May 2017 on Pipeline Wave, Lochsa River. Cam is an excellent surfer and has been progressing the sport of river surfing out of Missoula.

What’s the hardest bit about shooting river surfers?

I’v never found it to be that hard. I just try to get out there and have a good time with my friends.

What’s the best thing about your shooting river surfers?

I enjoy being around the people involved in this industry.

What is your favourite place to snap?

Pipeline on the Lochsa. It is located in the heart of the Bitterroot Mountains with incredible scenery everywhere.

What kind of gear do you use? What is your “weapon of choice”?

I shoot with a Nikon D7200 and keep it protected with a 1300 series Pelican Case.

What makes a great river surf photo in your opinion?

Being in the right place at the right time. Location is everything with my photography.

Who are your favourite river surfers?

KB with Strongwater Surfboards. Cam Fuller, Kevin Donachie, Grant Larson.

What kind of projects and trips are on your agenda for this year?

Be looking out for a short film at the end of the year.

Do you have a website, where can we see your photos?

I am active on instagram @natepmeyer

A last word?

“Back off war child … seriously”

The post Nate Meyer – Capturing the Beauty of River Surfing in Montana appeared first on Riverbreak.

KB, What led you to become a shaper?

I really believe I was born to shape surfboards. It’s a calling. I see the boards finished before starting. Being an athlete that desires progression, life time in board sports plus my knowledge of river wave / river dynamics really inspired me to start. Looking back though I could feel it my entire life.

What is the shaping philosophy at Strongwater?

Leave it in the hands of the surfers.

What is it like being one of the few river surfboard shapers in the industry?

It’s sweet I have zero creative boundaries or influences. I have no idols or anything whom I’m trying to be or create. I can just create boards that work.

More and more rivers surfers are riding Strongwater surfboards. Why do your boards appeal to river surfers so much?

Strongwater Surfboards connect to surfers. Yes we started in the river but we connect to ocean surfers also. The boards start with me and for me it’s all about surfing and respect for the people and water, only reason I’m doing this period. So if you surf that is respectable and you relate to it, doesn’t matter where you surf. The design also is appealing, makes sense, simple but has lots of style. It’s been really cool to see the attention it has received here in the ocean. Just good timing with the way ocean surfing is progressing also with wave riding styles, airs and thinking outside the box.

You have been surfing and shaping in Cali all winter and learning from the industry’s best. Tell us something about your time in Cali, and why Cali?

Weather, Women and the Weed like Biggie said … No JK. I came to Cali because of progression and desire to take Strongwater Surfboards to a new level. I’m in the heart of surf industry and there is so much history here. Even though I’m doing my thing, I have ton of respect for surfing and its history. Many legends have been through the factory creating at one time. The dudes I’m working with have made a life of it, so I learn and feel inspired just being in the factory. The energy and being here progressing my craft, it’s perfect. It all starts with respect whether you are in the water or shaping bay. Thankful. Honestly I didn’t try to come here either, it just happened. Thats the cool stuff about Strongwater it’s real, it’s my life and not something I’m trying to do. It’s in my soul the universe literally called me here and I’m pretty sure I lived here in a past life.

How does the Cali series RUNT differ from the other RUNT models?

The Cali Runts come in 4 sizes. They are still hand made. However, instead of me shaping each board start to finish like in Montana, the boards are ruff cut by a CNC machine. I then finish shape the boards and pass them off to some of the best glassers and sanders in the world.

What makes the Cali RUNT the perfect river surfboard?

The design of the board makes it perfect. It performs on so many different wave types. The characteristics of the board also translate to all skill levels. If you rip and want to do big airs it does that. If you are learning and need stability it has that. The thing is trippy – slashes or toes on the nose it does it all.

The Cali RUNT river surfboard

What level of surfer would go for a Cali RUNT and why?

All levels … no joke!

What type of fin setup do you recommend with the Cali RUNT?

We put 5 fin boxes on the Runt so all options are available. For most river waves we ride thruster with a thumb drive as trailer fin. You get good speed plus balanced feel with that set-up. But really it comes down to the surfers, ability, style and wave.

Is the Cali RUNT a limited series?

No, Strongwater Surfboards all ship from Southern California now. This is where Surfboards come from. Getting started in Montana was awesome but this is the heart of surfing and were called here.

Spring is just around the corner and people will refresh their quiver for this season. How can the Cali RUNT be ordered?

Strongwater.surf or KB.strongwater@gmail.com

How can river surfers in Europe get their Cali RUNT?

Email KB.strongwater@gmail.com

What sizes and colours are available for the Cali RUNT?

Factory board models are clean and clear with black logos. Boards come in 4 sizes: 5’0 – 5’4 – 5’8 – 6’0 all the tech specs are available at Strongwater.surf. We can also custom build any size, color, materials or graphics.

The post Here Come The RUNTS: Surfboards Made For The River appeared first on Riverbreak.

Strongwater was born from a desire to ride boards that were designed to surf river waves.

The boards are shaped, made and rode by accomplished surfer’s. Through passion, Team Strongwater surfs the water cycle. In the winter we surf powder in the morning & surf icy waves in the afternoon. When the snow melts into the rivers, we surf our favorite big water river waves. When Fall/Winter set in & the rivers have reached the ocean, we head to the coast in search of waves. Our lifestyle is “surfing the earth”. The team’s passion & demand for creative, quality products is the driving force behind Strongwater Surfboards.

Surfboards for River Surfers

Shapes and Styles

Strongwater Surfboards are custom made, so our boards suit all abilities and styles of surfing. Being from Montana, we focus primarily on river specific designs, however we build a variety of shapes & styles of boards. Cost: $700.

Contact

The post Strongwater Surfboards appeared first on Riverbreak.

Check out some photos from last year: 2013 Pipeline Classic

The post Lochsa Pipeline River Surf Rally 2014 appeared first on Riverbreak.

Chris, KB, Luke and friends surfing Missoula MT Lochsa River Idaho and Boise ID.

The post Surfing Montana and Idaho Rivers appeared first on Riverbreak.

Strongwater wants river surfers to gain feel & respect for the waves, enjoy the beauty of the river and to improve mind, body and spirit. The guys from Strongwater also offer river surf lessons on Tuesday evenings at 6pm or Saturday afternoons at 3pm. Their classes are limited to four participants and your are looking at 25$ per session or 40$ per session including gear.

Get in Touch

Strongwater MTN Surf Co.
614 S. Higgins Ave.
Missoula, MT 59801

E-Mail: kb@strongwatersports.com
Website: strongwatermtnsurf.com
Facebook: facebook.com/strongwatermtnsurfco

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Spot Details

Country: USA
Nearest town/city: Missoula, Montana
River: Clark Fork River
Address: Milwaukee Trail, Caras Park
Directions: Located downtown near the Higgins St. Bridge next to the Wilma Theatre and Caras Park
Nearest Surfshops: Strongwater MTN Surf Co
Latitude: 46.8687363
Longitude: -113.9973145

Wave Details

Characteristics

At 900 cfs – 3,500 cfs: Middle Brennan’s is a small V-shape wave. It is the local summer wave. It’s great for beginners, but still worth it for experts. Slower moving water & easy swimming make this a great beginner spot.

• Hazards: Shallow wave, rocks
• Time of Year: Summer, Fall, Winter
• Water Temp: Trunks in the summer; 4/3 – 5/4 hooded neoprene in the fall/winter

At 3,500 cfs – 6000 cfs: Main Brennan’s is a nice waist high wave. It takes some practice, but once you figure out how to maintain speed this wave rips. Tricky entry makes this wave more on the expert side. Still fun for beginners to go for it!

• Hazards: Shallow entry, rocks
• Time of Year: Spring, Early summer
• Water Temp: 3/2 – 4/3 neoprene

At 6,000 cfs – 14,000 cfs: Middle Brennan’s is the spot to be. Main Brennan’s is surf-able at these levels, but is flatter & foamier. The middle wave picks up in size and shape at these higher levels. There is an island on surfer’s right that submerges at higher water levels. When this happens it make a nice steep right shoulder, awesome for performance surfing. The wave is located in the middle of the river and can be difficult for beginners to access at these flows. Also requires good swim conditioning.

• Hazards: Strong current, rocks, logs
• Time of Year: Spring
• Water Temp: 4/3 – 5/4 neoprene

At 14,000 cfs – 22,000 cfs: Main & Middle Brennan’s are rip-able. There is even a set of ride-able waves that form behind the Middle Wave above 19,500 cfs. Brennan’s is a surf wave playground at these higher flows. The waves are friendly, but prepare to be in good swimming shape. The water is moving fast at these flows & with less eddies you can be in for a swim.

• Hazards: Strong current, rocks, brushy banks, and logs coming down from upriver
• Time of Year: Spring
• Water temp: 4/3 – 5/4 neoprene

Conditions

Brennan’s wave is surfable all year round, see water levels above.

Weather in Missoula, Montana

Today 09/02 High 26° / Low 7°

Tomorrow 09/03 High 25° / Low 7°

Tuesday 09/04 High 24° / Low 7°

Spot Location

Brennan’s Wave Videos

River Surfing in Montana, Missoula

You know more about Brennan’s Wave?

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