Mid-Cal River Surf

[Evan Lloyd]

So-Cal has Trestles, Nor-Cal has The Lane, Mid-Cal has the Alta Weir.  Right now the dam is releasing 6100 cfs.  By July, that number will double.  It's hard to say what the increase in flow will do to the wave.  It varies from year to year, depending on how they set up the Weir.  The Weir is a series of concrete pillars with 2x12 planks stuffed in between.  The water rushes over the weir, lands on a concrete pad, and where the pad ends, the wave is formed.  We've been kayaking the Weir for years.  Last year was the first time it was surfed on an SUP.  This video is from my 2nd session out there this season.  I look forward to many more. I have a couple of boards getting glassed that are designed for this wave.  They are super short, and should be really fun to play on.  The board in this video is an old 9-6.  Hopefully with more practice, we can learn to make really nice turns that flow together.  Right now I feel like a grom who is just learning to turn.   It'll get better :-)

Enjoy
Evan

[Smokey Carter]

Evan, you shred. Nice dude....

[mountainpaddler]

Nice Evan. That wave looks fun, way to rip it.

KH

[highsierrabear]

Rad, dude!

I bet the paddle back after you fall is a doozy.

[Evan Lloyd]

It's not too bad.  There is a big eddy on river left that is easy enough to catch. If you do miss it, you only have to walk back about 100 yards or so.  I've taken that walk many times, but we have it pretty dialed now.  We are using a rope to swing into the wave.  It only takes a couple of strokes, and you're in.  It's sweet.  I surfed out there for three hours today.  It is amazing how well you get to know your board when you get 6-10 minute rides.  You can really dial in your foot placement to get nice carving turns.  River surfing has definitely helped me improve my technique.

Evan

[JasonDJ]

Evan,

Have you tried a short board at the Alta Weir yet?  I drove by there last weekend on my way to Pine Flat and I am tempted to try my wake surfboards (4'6 & 5'0) and/or ocean short board on it.

Can you swing yourself into the wave w/out using the paddle?

Where do you tie the rope to?

[Evan Lloyd]

I've taken long and fun boards on the weir.  You can swing out onto the wave by tying a rope to the rusted sign post on river left.  make sure the rope is long enough to get you right on top of the wave.  Too short = blowing off the back of the wave, due to too much momentum. 

The paddle really helps keep you on the wave.  Without it, you will blow off much more easily.  Personally, I would not surf it without a paddle, it is frustrating and not worth the effort.  With a paddle, it's pretty fun and you get crazy long rides. 

Cal me if you have any questions.
559-351-5588

Evan