riverwaves in bc

[alexh]

Hey,

I´m looking for clean riverwaves in British Columbia or Alberta, I know about waves like nelson or fernie, something like that would be great.

Thanks alot
Alex

[Beaver]

All rivers have waves. What are you looking for? Road access for a surfboard? or play spots along a river run? There's a nice one on the Kootenay near Castlegar, a nice roadside wave in Trail on the Columbia. The Thompson has some big green monsters, the Clearwater has pink mountain, The closest river waves I can think of to Nelson would be on the Slocan river, pretty piddly waves on the Slocan. Bulkley river has some fun waves as does the Skeena......

[alexh]

yeah im actually looking for surfable riverwave, thanks alot man.

[Beaver]

Kayak surfable or surfboard surfable? Rock Island in Trail has a nice jump from the rock onto your surfboard wave, it gets kayak surfed lots, Kootenay River near Castlegar has a play wave that at the right level can be surfboard surfed.

[alexh]

surfboard surfable, are you a kayaker or a surfer?
are those waves you talked about all green and clean or a lot of whitewater?

thanks alot
alex

[rosc]

alex,

rock island in trail is probably your best bet. I've heard people have been board surfing there but never been there myself when it was at the right level. apparently the level needs to be below 3.8m, which usually happens in the winter.

gauge is here:
http://www.bchydro.com/info/res_hydromet/data/bir.txt

dave

[donutlynx]

I know that the wave under the bridge at Function Junction (just south of Whistler) on the Cheakamus has been surfed by those on boards (as well as kayaks). Don't know if it is worth it, though...I guess it depends on where you're at.

[alexh]

thanks alot guys
im looking for something like this, do you know about something that clean?



Thanks alot
alex

[Harv]

that photo is from Skookumchuck over by Vancover. So it is a tidal wave and not really in a river. I have never been there. Someone else may be able to explain what is going on there. The only place I know of where there are true river waves that big, in North America, is in the St. Lawrence in Montreal. Lachine Rapids.

here is a video of that spot.

[kayaktheworld]

Alex-

That wave is, as Harv said, in the Skookumchuck Narrows in Egmont, BC. The wave is not on a river though. It is formed when the tide flows in through a narrow canal between two inlets.

The wave forms around 13 knots but does not green out like that until it peaks out at 15+ knots. Here is the chart that predicts the wave's tides: http://tbone.biol.sc.edu/tide/tidesh...ith+caution%29

What you are looking for on that chart is anytime when it marks the wave at 15 knots or fast at "max flood." The wave is usually there for about 2-3 hours before and after peak. You will be looking at surfing about half and hour before and after peak.

Just make sure you bring a Ski with you. Otherwise, prepare for some very, very unpleasant rides in the rapids, 50 yard wide eddy fence/10-foot-deep whirl pools that form below it. IMHO, surfing on a board there at 15-17 knots without a ski to pick you up would be downright stupid. Then again, I am not a surfer so what do I know?

David

[alexh]

Ah alright, yeah I´m actually not looking for exactly that wave I just used it as an example for a clean wave. I´m looking for a nice green and clean wave, doesn´t have to be that big, I just wanna have a good surfable wave.

Thanks
Alex

[SJP]

All rivers have waves.

...and it is all a matter timing the right water levels. Your best bet will be connecting with your local kayaking crew. They will take you to the goods, keep you safe, and hopefully teach you a thing or two about the power of a river. (which is much different than the ocean).

You best bet for a clean roadside wave is Rock Island at Trail, below 1100cms.

There's lots more out there once you gain some experience and want to step it up.

[rosc]

alex, nice pic! you were ripping it (this is dave writing, who you met there)

If you're thinking about the trail wave, you could check with the local club to see how it is before you make the drive. http://www.borderlineboaters.com/
looks like the level might be good right now.

dave

[Harv]

thanks alot guys
im looking for something like this, do you know about something that clean?



Thanks alot
alex

sick photo by the way...

[alexh]

hey,

thanks alot, man I wanna go on that trip again.
Yeah I´m definetely gonna try to surf trail, how dangerous is the river there for a surfer?

cya
alex