The Alberta River Surfing Association (ARSA), an Alberta not-for-profit, that was founded in 2005. Below are current donation opportunities for Kananaskis waves. Kananskis wave projects are done as a full partnership between the ARSA and Alberta Whitewater Association (AWA) with support of the Lower Kananaskis River Users Association (LKRUA), Alberta Parks, and others.

Kananaskis wave donation

Donation towards a new adjustable wave in the Kananaskis. Construction is scheduled for Fall 2024. We are currently in permitting.

Why should I contribute?

This can be you, shredding everyday, all year, on 10m to 12m wide wave that is clean, fast, 1m high, and easy to catch. You will have better surfing in the river and surf better on surf trips. Contribute to have a much, much better wave and river experience in 2024. As of April 2023, we have raised $470,000 in cash towards the project.

Payments processed via Stripe.

Current donors
$500 to < $1000 (Wave Founder)

• Adam Juska

• Andrea Juska

• Brandon Olsthoorn

• Bryce Tien

• James Bridle

• Jenna Henderson

• Jerret Hutchings

• Ken Allan

• Martin Plut

• Matt Allen

• Michael Holroyd

• Rod Holloway

• Royce Ponech

• Steve Flood

• T & M G

• Tyler Miller

<$500 (Donor)

• Adam Baranec

• Adam White

• Clayton Williams

• Danny W

• Dylan Leeder

• Graeme Sams

• Jay Heule

• James Bigelow

• Joe’s Garage

• Matteoo Ferri

• Megan Kurcwal

• Peron Desnoyers

• Tom Lamb

Where will the wave be built?

The new, adjustable wave will be built at the Cliff. The Cliff. The Mountain and Santa Claus will be tweaked to make them better as part of the project.

What type of waves will be made?

The adjustable wave plans are the result of an 18 months of research by Surf Anywhere, the University of Ottawa, ARSA, and the Alberta Whitewater Association (AWA). An adjustable wave would provide excellent surf waves and kayak waves all year including during high flows. Surf waves could be used by kayakers and kayak waves could be used by surfers.

Surf waves

• 10m wide.

• Clean and steep allowing pumping down the line and big turns.

• Lefts and rights and other wave shapes.

• 1m+ high.

• Deep water downstream.

Kayak waves

• 10m wide.

• Eddy access and nothing under the wave.

• Steep shoulders and breaking wave in the middle.

• 1m+ high.

• Deep water downstream.

Wave shapes

Below are some sample wave shapes from our modelling. More details are available at Surf Anywhere - Wave Research. Waves at the Kan will be between 1m and 1.5m high from trough to peak and 13m+ wide.

How often will waves be configured as surf waves vs kayak waves?

Waves will be configured based on user demand. There will be a minimum and a maximum number of days for each wave type to ensure there are waves for both user groups and that the wave is being used. The actual schedules will be based on discussions with the Alberta Whitewater Association and demand. The starting point is a 50/50 split between surf wave and kayak wave.

Who will operate the adjustable wave and determine wave shape?

Wave adjustments will be done by trained volunteers from the ARSA and AWA. Wave shape will be determined by the ARSA and AWA.

Will other river improvements be done as part of the project?

Yes, a lot of other river improvements and river maintenance will be done as part of the project. This other work will involve rock placement and rearrangement. Some of the additional work is detailed in this document.

Who was consulted on the project and do they support the project?

All Lower Kananaskis River user groups were consulted via the Lower Kananaskis River Users Association including not-for-profits, corporations, individuals, rafters, surfers, kayakers, TransAlta, and more. Alberta Parks was heavily consulted on the project. There is unanimous support for the project.

When would the improvements happen?
The improvements are planned for fall 2024.

Have we received corporate or organization donations?

Yes, we have $470,000 cash donations in individual, government, corporate, not-for-profit donations. We have received or are committed over $500,000 in donated materials and services.

Why is more community funding needed for this build as opposed to previous builds?

Costs have increased and government funding has reduced. We have higher engineering costs for all river work, fabrication costs for the wave, and installation costs.

Does donating funds provide exclusive wave access?

The project is making a public resource and public access to great river recreation is a vital part of the project. We cannot guarantee that funding provides exclusive wave access. We can try to set up times of the year where membership provides wave access with a limited number of people.

Will people who do not contribute be able to use the waves?

Yes.

How much do we want people to contribute?

As much as possible 😊 We have wave users committed to $500 a person and to $1000+ a person. Individual businesses have made single donations of $20,000+.

How much interest is there in funding the wave so far?

We have over $470,000 in cash funding as of May 2023. Funds are from individuals, businesses, not for profits, and governments.

What are comparable costs for doing sports?

Sunshine seasons pass: $1,200
Annual gym membership: $800
Trip to the ocean to surf: $2000. A better local river wave will make you a MUCH better ocean surfer.

Are there additional benefits to contributing?

Yes. People who contribute $500 or more will be recognized on a plaque at the wave feature. There are additional possible benefits but these would have to be determine as the project proceeds and require a lot of work and discussion with the government and river community. Possible additional benefits for donors are:

·        Heated change rooms.

·        Sauna at the wave.

Limiting access is not being considered. There is resistance to any privatization of any facilities at the Kananaskis from existing river users and a significant process required by the government for consideration of any privatization.

Are funds donated to the Kan only used for the Kan?

Yes. Funds raised for ARSA projects are project specific. For example, Kan funds are used in the Kan and Calgary funds are used in Calgary.

Can I get a refund or reallocate funds if the grant is not approved?

Yes, if the grant is not approved, you can choose to receive a refund or allocate the money to Calgary waves or keep the money allocated to Kan waves. Processing fees for money collection by the bank or fund collector may not be refundable but are small.

What are the project cash costs?

Project costs are estimated to be $650,000.

In-kind contributions

The project has received over $500,000 in-kind contributions.

How are contractors selected?

Contractors are selected through a request for quote (RFQ) process by the ARSA board. Responses are evaluated based on cost, suitability for project needs, experience, and in-kind donations. The RFQ process will happen immediately following successful award of the large CFEP grant to the ARSA in December 2021.

How are conflicts of interest handled?

Conflicts of interest are handled per the ARSA Conflict of Interest policy. The policy is published on the ARSA Policies and Procedures page.