There is nothing better than seeing a huge line at the local river wave. More surfers means that the sport is progressing. As the sport progresses so do the riders. It is so fun to see surfers getting longer rides and having fun. How long of a ride is too long? If there is a line on both sides of the wave and one is shorter how do you rotate rides? What do you do if someone loses a board in the eddy?
Being able to surf the wave for as long as you want is a great feeling! Taking long rides is perfectly fine if it is just you and a few buddies surfing. When the line starts to get long 1 min rides are a maximum to keep the line flowing. Hack some turns and once you reach your time limit try a trick. This will keep everyone in the lineup happy as well as progress your surfing at the same time!
If your wave has a line on both sides you should rotate riders from each side. If one side has twice as many riders than the other you should rotate 2 riders from the long side to 1 rider from the short side. This will keep things even and keep the lines on both sides flowing.
If someone loses their board in the eddy and it flows back up toward the line whoever is closest should grab it for them. You can put it to the side or if they are on the other side of the river you can toss it over to them. If you are going to toss a board to the other side of the wave please make sure no one is in the wave surfing or swimming in the water around the wave. Let everyone know you are going to toss the board so no one gets hurt.
Lets all work together to progress the sport, keep each other safe and maintain good vibes in the water.
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
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.
