The World’s Top Freshwater Waves

Surfing is no longer the sole domain of the coasts. Wave
hungry surfers have been getting after it on the world’s lakes and rivers for
decades. We’re spotlighting just a handful of the best shaped, longest, cleanest
and most odd freshwater waves that have been discovered to date.

Surfers have been dropping into swells on the Great Lakes
for decades. Almost every year, pics of better, bigger or colder waves pop up
online. This year’s news from the country’s third coast would fall into that
last category. A group of surfers paddled into waves with air temperatures in the negative teens and a wind chill of over -50 degrees.

After coverage from CNN, the Snake River’s whitewater is no longer a local’s secret. Jackson’s pro skiers and shreds also manage to get a few waves at the famous rapid. Of course, one of the biggest obstacles for any surfer is the many rafters and kayakers who frequent the river.

Yeah, the water is brown. There are 12-foot crocodiles. The
area is extremely difficult to get to and it’s prone to seismic and volcanic
activity. That said, what happens on this river is somewhat of a hydrological
miracle.

Brought to the masses in
Endless Summer 2, the river mouth
at Waimea Bay is one of the most classic standing waves out there. To form the
wave, it can take hours to dig out the sand bar formed by the beach’s winter
pounding.

The desert region’s climate fits a little better with an
artificial beach than an artificial mountain.
The waves are mechanic. The water is chlorine blue. The bottom is imported
sand. Get your air reverse on—over and over and over.

River surfing has taken off in Europe. Thanks to Eisbach’s
clean standing wave and its location in one of Germany’s most colorful cities,
it’s easy to see why this wave is such a favorite. Grab a pretzel, a boot full
of beer, and don’t forget to master that air drop.

Not quite as consistent as the Great Lakes, Lake Tahoe only
turns on in the heaviest of winds. With the short period swell, the waves
aren’t too clean. But every once in a while, somebody will get a good one.

The Wave Garden is way ahead of other swell machines in
terms of form. The small barrel peels along a manmade shelf almost eerily and
without a single imperfection. Top professionals like Gabriel Medina and Taj
Burrow have checked out the ride and have high hopes for the technology. All
the company needs now is a bigger venue.

Though it only occurs a couple of times a year, the
Zambezi’s Rapid 11 is famous for creating a standing hollow tube. The waves face
is only shoulder high, but the wipeout and ensuing downriver thrashing looks
more akin to Pipeline. And the water is full of tiger fish.