Frequently asked questions
General Questions
Do you offer private lessons?
Yes we do! Please send an email to info@outliersurf.com and we would be happy to schedule a private lesson at your convenience.
Do you offer lessons in the Kananaskis
Not currently. The Kananaskis wave is not meant for beginners and we strongly encourage people to learn at the 10th Street Wave in downtown Calgary.
How does river surfing compare to ocean surfing?
Let us tell you!
Can I book a corporate event with you?
Absolutely! We love doing corporate and team building activities. These can be tailored to your liking and make for a great afternoon.
Do you offer youth lessons?
Not currently. We are working with the Alberta-RSA to offer youth life saving programs. Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.
How cold is the water?
The Bow River durirng our river surfing season is between 18 - 19 degrees celsius. This is much warmer than Tofino, British Columbia (Canada's most popular surf destination) which is only an average of 13 degrees celsius.
What type of surfboard do I need?
We strongly recommend using a river specific surfboard. These boards use a high performance foam that won't damage if they strike the bottom of the river. You will want a board that is under 5'10" and above 30L of volume.
What type of wetsuit do I need?
We recommend wearing a 4/3mm suit. This will keep you warm in our river waves between the months of May - October.
What months of the year can you river surf?
The Kananaskis Wave runs all year round; however we don't recommend this wave for beginners.
Do I need to be able to swim?
Yes!!! We can't stress that enough. Rivers are an extremely powerful body of water and you must be a strong swimmer to navigate the currents. We also recommend taking a lesson to learn more about white water safety skills and understanding the risks associated with rivers.
Is river surfing safe?
All river activity has inherent risks. Our lessons are designed to show you how to nagivate these rivers in a safe manner. Check out our blog post for more detailed safety information.