Beyond discovering every kind of wave already existing in nature that can possibly be paddled on, what else is happening to grow wave riding opportunity? Surf parks that mechanically generate their own waves are rapidly becoming very popular. But surf ranches, parks, etc. are not really the domain of surfskis. Most current (2021) surfski wave riding, whether in downwinding or on waves (standing and moving) in tidal races is done on waves formed by nature. The environmental cost in producing natural waves is zero in terms of human energy expense/carbon footprint. That “zero” does not take into account the energy expense of transportation to get to such waves or the expense of equipment manufactured for such pursuits but such costs are there to some extent for all waves ridden unless one is body surfing a neighborhood river wave or shore break. (Most boat wake riding by surfskiers is done with boats that are passing by and not ones dedicated to providing those surfskiers a ride). Surfers who travel around the world probably have a larger carbon footprint from their travel than they will ever generate from using a surf park, but those kinds of surfers are a small percentage of the whole surfing population. And surf parks hold the promise of vastly increasing the overall numbers of surfers by opening up surfing to largely untapped populations living inland. Some surf parks have made an effort to get their energy from renewable sources, but it is unclear whether they are really contributing to increasing generation of sustainable energy or merely tapping into what is available causing other existing energy users to use a higher % from non-renewable sources.

As of 2021 there is a fledgling movement towards engineering more local wave opportunities in rivers that will cost zero energy to sustain. But standing waves in rivers, particularly those preferred by surfers, do not typically have a shape and steepness that favors surfskis. Then again, who knows? Maybe some of these will have configurations that make them reasonably surfable for surfskis also. Or maybe some surfskiers will want to exercise other water skills and surf with other watercraft (SUP, surf board, wave ski, slalom kayak, ???), particularly in locales where there are limited or non-existent opportunities to downwind or surf naturally formed waves.

Finding & Making River Waves

No Waves

• Bungee Surfing?
  • Bungee Monkey
  • Feel the Planet
  • Royal Ropes
• Or what about using a bungee like a tow-in to get you onto a wave for surfing against current where you otherwise don't have the speed to get onto such waves? Then you let go and paddle to maneuver and stay on such a wave….