Matt Robertson on river surfing

When it comes to surfing, #Canada is not usually a destination that springs to mind. And even if you are familiar with the stunning west coast and its swells, landlocked #Calgary is the last place on earth you'd expect to find surf.

@matt.surfs discovered surfing in Costa Rica. Being in Alberta, 1000km from the nearest ocean meant opportunities were few and far between. Until a flood of the Bow River in Calgary dislodged rocks under the 10th Street Bridge and created a wave, which made it to the local news. Matt was there the following day and became hooked. He and his friends happily brave freezing conditions, dismiss famed snow and choose water instead:"there's no one around, just the silence of the frigid cold and the roaring of a river that wants to freeze. Also, its much cheaper than a lift ticket to a ski hill, and every turn feels… better than powder!".

Matt has been involved with #SurfAnywhere, a local organisation lobbying government to build river waves. They've had success with 'The Mountain' on the Kananaskis river, which is dammed upstream, allowing the flow to be controlled. This gives them the ability to bring heavy machinery and boulders and sculpt the perfect #riverwave. Is #riversurfing the future of surfing? "No. River and ocean surfing complement each other. I am a better ocean surfer because of my time on the river, and every time I return to the river from an ocean trip, my perspective of what is possible on the river is broader. Standing waves produce optimal conditions for trying new tricks and mastering turns; the rogue nature of the ocean is what is alluring." 📷 @matt.surfs #gopro
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