When it comes to SUP river surfing competitions, most events are held on smaller waves or holes. This is simply due to the lack of large, high quality, river waves available in most locations. The exception to this is at the Animas River Days.
Located in the white water park of Durango, Colorado, the Animas River Days surf comp is held on a wave know as Ponderosa. This wave is easily in the top 5 best river waves in the state, maybe top 3 depending on who you ask. It’s truly a great wave, with a clean, fast, steep face that can get above waist high.
What does having a great wave mean for a SUP river surfing competition? It means that it draws the best talent, and they throw down the biggest tricks. In 2015 Zack Hughes (the co-owner and shaper of Badfish) won the competition by pulling off countless 360s and (for the first time ever) sticking a 540! The rest of the competitors were (almost) equally as talented and had amazing rides.
Zack Hughes at the 2015 Animas River Days. Photo credit Heather Jackson
This year, I’m betting the surf comp will be even better. It will definitely pull in great talent like last year. And for the rest of us, who aren’t quite at Zack’s “Pro” skill level, you can choose to compete in the “Expert” level. The Expert division is for everyone who wants to surf and have fun, but isn’t ready to pull off 360s yet. On top of that, there are also surfboard river surfing competitions!
I’m am definitely looking forward to surfing in this year’s competition. I’m looking forward to just surfing Ponderosa wave in general! If you’re looking for a good river surf competition (both SUP or surfboard), checkout the Animas River Days. It’s going to be epic!
Written by | Benjamin
Benjamin Smith is a land locked surfer living in Colorado. He gets his surfing fix on the local rivers, where he SUP surfs standing waves.
