Calgarians didn't have to travel thousands of kilometres to sunny resorts to ride the waves this summer.
Instead, surfing came right to them, courtesy of the 2013 flood.
Surfing is nothing new in Alberta but last year's flood helped create a permanent wave in Calgary's Bow River that is bringing several people out to test the waters, CBC News reported.
"A surfer's dream is to get up and surf, go about your day and come back to surf — and that's what I'm doing," Alberta River Surfing Association (ARSA) president Neil Egsgard told the network.
The history of river surfing has been traced back to Munich, Germany in the 1970s, before coming to Alberta in the 2000s, The Calgary Journal reported.
At that time, Jeff Brooks, an ARSA co-founder, learned that you could surf waves in any river with fast flows.
He soon found a two-foot wave beneath the 10th Street bridge in Calgary and discovered that the sport was possible in the province.
Various pictures posted on social media in July and August show people hopping on their boards and riding fast-moving waters in the city.
ARSA has an online guide to places where people can ride waves throughout Alberta.
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Instead, surfing came right to them, courtesy of the 2013 flood.
Surfing is nothing new in Alberta but last year's flood helped create a permanent wave in Calgary's Bow River that is bringing several people out to test the waters, CBC News reported.
"A surfer's dream is to get up and surf, go about your day and come back to surf — and that's what I'm doing," Alberta River Surfing Association (ARSA) president Neil Egsgard told the network.
The history of river surfing has been traced back to Munich, Germany in the 1970s, before coming to Alberta in the 2000s, The Calgary Journal reported.
At that time, Jeff Brooks, an ARSA co-founder, learned that you could surf waves in any river with fast flows.
He soon found a two-foot wave beneath the 10th Street bridge in Calgary and discovered that the sport was possible in the province.
Various pictures posted on social media in July and August show people hopping on their boards and riding fast-moving waters in the city.
So, this is a thing in #YYC. I am more and more impressed each day by this city. pic.twitter.com/s5PXyJh23x
— Max Fawcett (@maxfawcett) August 26, 2014This is new... I know it's hot.. But surf boards in #yyc? pic.twitter.com/QPVCtSdJo3
— Jenna Bridges (@JennaNBridges) July 31, 2014Surf is on in downtown Calgary. #surfthebow #yyc #explorealberta pic.twitter.com/WQBqTGKElX
— Bart Donnelly (@BanffBart) August 13, 2014I tried to surf on the Bow River. Find out how I did on our local #CBC TV News starting at 5. #yyc #surfing pic.twitter.com/uAmSElcFJQ
— Brooks DeCillia (@BDeCillia) August 26, 2014ARSA has an online guide to places where people can ride waves throughout Alberta.
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