‘Bungee surfing’ on Idaho rivers 0
HORSESHOE BEND – Surfing isn’t an image associated with rivers – especially in Idaho. Kayakers navigating whitewater rapids is much more our style.
Until recently, that is.
Four years ago, Treasure Valley resident Robert Geier turned an idea into a new riversport – bungee surfing.
Using a specialized bungee cord tied to a large rock on shore, river riders float downstream using the river’s current to load up the spring in the bungee cord. Then, as the surfboard (more like a boogie-board) comes to the surface of the water, the bungee retracts, flinging riders across the surface at speeds up to 30 miles an hour.
Geier’s taken his sport to California recently, and despite some general disagreement from surfing purists, said his idea was very well received.
“You don’t need to wait for waves, you’re not at the mercy of the ocean,” Geier noted as one reason for its popularity.
Cascade Raft & Kayak is offering lessons throughout the summer. More demonstrations are also planned, but those dates have not been set.
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