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6 Ways to Surf Colorado

As a global crew of Land Locked Surfers, one of our goals is to build an archive of Community Leaders passionate about helping others discover the stoke of surfing outside of the ocean. This will help accomplish our vision of having an accessible point person for each surf community, location, and discipline. For example, if you live the United States, especially in the Colorado region, and you are trying to get into inland surfing then Alex Mauer is our recommended resource for you. His inland surfing network runs deep in Colorado and he is passionate about sharing with others the stoke he finds out on the water!

For questions about surfing in Colorado it’s best to contact Alex through his Instagram: @alexandermauer 

Let’s get to know Alex, your Colorado surf connection!

Q: Give us some background, who is Alex Mauer?

Alex: I’ve always been drawn to the water. I grew up doing every sport you can imagine. I’m addicted to having fun!

Q: How and when did you get into Surfing in Colorado?

Alex: When I was like 12 or 13 my dad got me and my brother a boogie board and told us to go play down by the river. I saw a kayakers surfing river waves and I knew it would be possible to surf the same waves on a surfboard. After catching my first river wave I was hooked! I would travel around and surf waves the kayakers told me about. I started getting in the stand-up paddling because I could surf smaller waves and paddle down the river to find new waves. I have been helping pioneer the surf and stand up paddle scene here in Colorado ever since.

Q: Through your eyes describe the surf scene in your area, what are you doing to help it grow?

Alex: When I first started river surfing, people looked at me like I was crazy when I tried to explain it to them. Years later, people are starting to recognize the sport in my area. To try and grow the sport I’m always sharing my stoke with whoever I run into you. I help new surfers when I see them on the river. I also, invite new people to come out with me and try the sport for the first time.

Q: In Colorado, what are a few types of inland surfing riders are taking advantage of, which is your favorite, and why?

Alex: In Colorado there are plenty of ways land locked riders take advantage of the surf CO has to offer. We river surf, stand up paddle, wake surf, skim board flat water, and even surf the powder when it snows. We also skateboard.

Q: As a Locked Surfing Community Leader, what are your areas of expertise new riders should ask you about?

Alex: I love anything on the water. I try to be well-rounded when it comes to water sports. You can ask me just about anything and I can help you out!

Q: What drives you to get better everyday?

Alex: Progressing the sport keeps me motivated. I want to push the sport as far as I can and do as many tricks and innovations as possible. I’ve never felt like I’ve hit my potential as a surfer. I think that’s what is cool about surfing, there is always something new to do or try.

Q: What are your surfing/life goals for this year?

Alex: This year I am most stoked for a road trip I’m taking to hit up some river waves I’ve really been waiting a long time to surf. I’m just excited to see where the sport goes in the next year!

Q: In your world of surfing, who do you look up to most and why?

Alex: I look up to John John Florence, Austin Keen, Kai Lenny and Laird Hamilton. All those guys are pushing the limits of the sport that’s exactly what I want to do for river surfing!

Q: Outside of river surfing what are your other passions?

Alex: Family is really important to me.

Q:  What is something funny very few people may know about you?

Alex: I love goofing around in the water. I will try and surf anything no matter what shape it is! Watching that stuff is always good for a laugh or too!

Closing Thoughts: I’m honored to be a landlocked surfing Community Leader. I just want to thank Kirk for this opportunity. I look forward to helping many of you on the river and in the water!

Questions about surfing in Colorado? Best to contact Alex through his Instagram: @alexandermauer 

 

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3 Ways to Surf in Georgia

As a global crew of Land Locked Surfers, one of our goals is to build an archive of Community Leaders passionate about helping others discover the stoke of surfing outside of the ocean. This will help accomplish our vision of having an accessible point person for each surf community, location, and discipline. For example, if you live the United States, especially in the Georgia region, and you are trying to get into inland surfing then Ashley Harel is our recommended resource for you. Her inland surfing network runs deep in Georgia and she is passionate about sharing with others the stoke she finds out on the water!

For questions about surfing in Georgia it’s best to contact Ashley through her Instagram: @ashleytheskateboardingnurse

Let’s get to know Ashley, your Georgia surf connection!

Q: Give us some background, who is Ashley Harel?

Ashley:  I am 28 years old and currently living in  Atlanta GA. I was born in Connecticut, and grew up in Greenville, South Carolina.  I received my nursing degree in Charleston, SC in 2012 then moved to Atlanta a month later.  I grew up skateboarding, snowboarding, playing Basketball, and many other sports. I just love trying new things and pushing my own limits.   I have always had a love and pull towards the water, so when I discovered I could surf other places besides the ocean I was so excited.

Q: How and when did you get into Surfing in Georgia?

Ashley:  In 2015 my good friend introduced me to Thursday Surf Nights with Jenny and Perry from Pull Water Sports.  I went out with them that summer about 9 times then entered my first wake surf nationals that year.  When I started wake surfing I was instantly addicted.  I was so amazed that there was an endless wave! As a skateboarder, once started seeing all the tricks that were possible it made me even more excited to learn everything I could about wake surfing.

Q: Through your eyes describe the surf scene in your area, what are you doing to help it grow?

Ashley: The Surf scene in Atlanta and the surrounding area is booming with a constant flow of new and experienced wake surfers.  At multiple lakes including, Allatoona, Lanier, sinclair, and more!  People are out on the water every week all year long.  We have many people to surf with on each lake. Two big surf nights we have are with Danny B, from Allatoona Adventures, near little river marina on Lake Allatoona, and Thursday Surf nights with Jenny and Perry from Pull Water sports on Lake Lanier.  They both offer board demos, and Perry offers Tige boat demos.  Jordan (@wolfe.jordan) and Taylor wolfe (@taylor_wolf3) also offer lessons as pro riders in wake surfing.  They are located on Lake Sinclair and can be contacted through instagram as well as email and by phone.  I, myself, offer lessons on the south end of Lake Allatoona at Holiday Harbor Marina. Lessons and introducing new people to the sport is how I am helping the surf scene grow in the greater Atlanta area. In the last two years I have introduced over 50 people to wake surfing.

Q: In Georgia, what are few types of inland surfing riders are taking advantage of, which is your favorite, and why?

Ashley: 

  • Wake Surfing – This is by far my favorite because I feel it is most closely related to ocean surfing.  
  • Flo-rider
  • Stand-up paddle boarding

Q: As a Locked Surfing Community Leader, what are your areas of expertise new riders should ask you about?

Ashley: If you need a place to surf, rent/buy gear, get lessons, set up your boat or just have questions about a specific trick, Im your girl!

Q: What drives you to get better everyday?

Ashley: Surfing is so much fun and a very safe sport. The feeling of cruising on your board over the water and landing new tricks is like no other. Its a rush of excitement, accomplishment, and happiness all at once. It’s addicting because there is always something new you can learn.  What drives me to surf better everyday is pure excitement and fun!

Q: What are your surfing/life goals for this year?

Ashley: My surfing goals for this upcoming season are to learn as many tricks as I can and maybe even invent some new ones. I’d love to compete well in the outlaw division and also establish more relationships with all my fellow wake surfers !  My life goals are to keep being a good nurse, wife, friend, and person.  I want to spread surfing, skating, and all things that I am passionate about to others, so they can feel the joy of these amazing sports as well.

Q: In your world of surfing, who do you look up to most and why?

Ashley: This is always a hard question because there are so many great surfers and people out there.  The two people that inspire me the most are John Ackerman and Jodi Grassman.  They are both great surfers that are constantly pushing the limits of the sport, but the most inspiring thing about them is that they are humble and kind.  I love both of their outgoing spirits and their love for board sports.

Q: Outside of land locked surfing what are your other passions?

Ashley: Oh man this is a loaded question for me lol.  I have so many passions and many of them came before wake surfing.  My biggest passion besides surfing is skateboarding. I have been skateboarding since I was 9 years old and its given me a little head start with wake surfing.  I also enjoy snowboarding, ocean surfing, dirt biking, irish hurling, basketball, climbing, parkour, running, videography, photography, traveling, playing music, and art.  Overall, I just enjoy trying new things, and exploring the world. I love being outside in the sun and trying anything that looks fun!

Q:  What is something funny very few people may know about you?

Ashley: Okay I am going to be completely honest with this question, and see how many people still want to be my friend after sharing this stuff,haha, so hear goes:  I love to make animals noises and impressions. The Chicken is probably my best one, but I have many more. I am really really good at running on all fours. I enjoy eating raw garlic, especially when I feel bad haha.  Basically I am really goofy and dorky. I enjoy reading medical books in my free time and researching things about health.

Questions about surfing in Georgia? Best to contact Ashley through her Instagram: @ashleytheskateboardingnurse

 

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How to Find Surf in Iowa

As a global crew of Land Locked Surfers, one of our goals is to build an archive of Community Leaders passionate about helping others discover the stoke of surfing outside of the ocean. This will help accomplish our vision of having an accessible point person for each surf community, location, and discipline. For example, if you live the United States, especially in the Iowa region, and you are trying to find inland surf then Hannah Ray J is our recommended resource for you. Her river surfing network runs deep in Iowa and she is passionate about sharing with others the stoke she finds out on the water!

For questions about surfing in Iowa it’s best to contact Hannah through her Instagram: @hannah_rayj

Let’s get to know Hannah, your Iowa surf connection!

Q: Give us some background, who is Hannah Ray J?

Hannah: I’m a northeast Iowa native, farm-kid, artist, river surfer, and whitewater paddler. Throughout childhood my mother told me, “Only you are in charge of your happiness”. I took that to heart and it is precisely what I’m doing today; river surfing, whitewater paddling, and sharing my passion for the river! If I can get a hold of an interested ear, prepare to have it talked off about river surfing. I’m in the river at any time of year as much as possible. Whether that’s surfing my local wave on my shortboard and sup or chasing rain and learning new tricks in my whitewater kayak. There is no start or end to the surf “season” in Iowa, just slower times!

When I’m not on the river, I bring ideas to life through graphic design, care for my border collie, Bella, who has megaesophagus, and spend time with friends and family.

Q: How and when did you get into Surfing in Iowa?

Hannah: I first got into surfing in Iowa by spotting a local whitewater paddler on the river. He was ripping a river wave in a kayak! I was stoked, and eagerly waited for him to head to the riverbank so I could inquire, “How do I learn to do that?!!” In short order, I bought my first whitewater kayak, learned to roll, and started figuring out how to surf in a kayak.

Then, Charles City put in Iowa’s first whitewater park. Game changer! An inviting place to surf and paddle your heart out! Ty Graham showed up with his custom river surfer SUP and encouraged me to try it out. Prior to this point I had only seen longer sups on flat, calm lakes and thought, “why would anyone want to paddle a sup?” After seeing Ty surf a wave and trying it for myself, I was hooked! Bonus, my whitewater kayaking experience expedited the learning curve for standing on a board. Each time I step on a board or paddle my kayak I learn something new and surfing a river wave is just FUN!

Q: Through your eyes describe the surf scene in your area, what are you doing to help it grow?

Hannah: The river surf scene in Iowa is still in it’s infancy. There’s only a handful of us around the state, so it makes for a tight-knit group of rad people. River surfing is gaining more interest; whitewater parks are being engineered with river waves and each time I’m on the water people are asking, “How do I try that?!” I assist Charles City Whitewater with their Charles City Challenge event, a weekend of family friendly whitewater fun for all. During Charles City’s annual event I host Iowa’s only SUP surfing clinic, introducing all skill levels to river surfing. Whenever I head to the river I typically have extra gear with me and impromptu surf lessons are my favorite.  I’m happy to share what I know! As more whitewater is engineered here in Iowa, its just a matter of time before people discover just how much fun river surfing is.

Q: As a Land Locked Surfing Community Leader, what are your areas of expertise new riders should ask you about?

Hannah: I love surfing our river waves on a shortboard, SUP, and whitewater kayak. Sharing my passion for the river is what I strive for. I’m happy to help however I can; how to river surf our waves, when is the best time to go, which water levels work best, which equipment works well, local outfitter availability, and places to stay and eat. I have an abundance of information about surfing Iowa and I’m here to share it, just ask!

Q: What drives you to get better everyday?

Hannah: My drive is just how much FUN it is to be out there. River surfing is utterly in-the-moment, pure joy. Spending time outside on the river fills my soul and I get to meet the greatest people along the way.

Q: What are your surfing/life goals for this year?

Hannah: Simple answer; Surf Even More! Attending a few more events, learning new tricks, refining tricks, getting more people on boards, and having the most fun that I can while sharing the surf joy with those around me.

Q: In your world of surfing, who do you look up to most and why?

Hannah: I’m grateful to have close friends that support me, encourage me, and challenge me. Ty Graham has this contagious energy that pushes me to be my very best and try new tricks. Marty Colbert is my rock; he is always ready to hit the river (even if there’s ice chunks in it). Carl Neubauer has this cool, collected jive that makes trips and new rivers so smooth. The Perreault family has such bountiful excitement, spending time with them puts smiles of faces for days. There’s just too many amazing people near and far to list!

Q: Outside of river surfing what are your other passions?

Hannah: As I hinted to earlier, whitewater kayaking goes hand in hand with river surfing. Whitewater kayaking has allowed me to progress quicker in river surfing, by learning river currents, spending time underwater, practicing tricks, being in uncomfortable positions, and its so much fun! Off the river, I enjoy hiking, cross country skiing, winter camping, riding motorcycle, and finding new adventures.

Q:  What is something funny very few people may know about you?

Hannah: I have a very convincing hen turkey call!

Closing Thoughts: River surfing and whitewater is pure fun for me! Whether you’re already in Iowa or passing through, give me a shout I would love to surf with you and show you around my neck of the woods!

Questions about surfing in Iowa? Best to contact Hannah through her Instagram: @hannah_rayj