These are answers to some frequently asked questions.
What is the best way to help improve surfing in Alberta?
The most effective way for a surfer to improve surfing in Alberta is to take on a project or projects that they are passionate about with the support of the Alberta RSA. This process has built lasting, positive, and good surfing in Alberta. We strongly encourage surfers to take on projects and encourage others to do the same. A project can be anything a surfer wants or can imagine and the Alberta RSA will support you. Alternatively, the Alberta RSA always has projects that can use additional support. All of the Alberta RSA projects are the result of passionate surfers taking action and being supported by the Association. This includes waves, surf polo, surf decks, signs, events, and more. The Alberta RSA is an amazing resource for surfers to improve surfing in Alberta.
How is the direction of the Alberta RSA determined?
The direction of the Alberta RSA is informed by:
Member guidance. This is established through surveys and resultant plans that are reviewed and comment on by Alberta RSA members.
The surfers doing the work.
Like most volunteer organizations, there are a small number of surfers who do most of the work.
What is the effect of surf participation?
Many volunteers have put in huge amounts of time to improve surfing in Alberta. The result has been a reliable and lasting surf wave at incredibly low cost, opportunities for more great waves and surf improvements, wonderful events, beautiful community spaces, happy surfers, and a great community.
Why build adjustable waves instead of static waves? The Mountain is static and is good. Why not build more waves like the Mountain?
There have been hundreds if not thousands of static river features waves built around the world and most are not usable for surfing. The best and only consistently good manufactured static surf waves are the Mountain and Flosslaende and both have very unique situations. There have been about 15 adjustable river waves built around the world and 100% of those waves are good surf waves. Static wave construction has a terrible track record for success. We are very open to changing opinion but would need to see other good and consistent static surf waves.
This link shows good waves including 10 adjustable waves and two static waves: https://www.surfanywhere.ca/wave-research/#2d-waves
Adjustable river waves provide a guaranteed, durable, and life changing return and, in the Kananaskis and Harvie Passage, are very community fundable. The focus is on adjustable waves because they are a guaranteed return and, in the Kananaskis, are only moderately more expensive than a very uncertain static wave. In Calgary, good adjustable waves can be built for relatively low cost in the low water channel of the Harvie Passage. Multiple river features, including 10th and mediocre waves in the Kananaskis, have been destroyed by nature since 2005. The loss of waves is very damaging to surfers and community which is why it is so important to build good and lasting waves.
Why is the Alberta RSA researching adjustable waves?
We are researching adjustable waves because it is revealing cheaper and more reliable ways for us to build good waves. The research is also a very cheap way to get the data needed by engineers to build a wave. If we did get the data via research, it would need to be done entirely by engineers at engineering rates which are very high and would increase project costs by tens of thousands to over $100,000.
Why do river wave projects cost so much and take so long?
River wave projects are complex and expensive and take a long time. The reasons for this are a combination of:
Regulatory requirements.
High risk if in-river structures are of poorly designed.
Dewatering.
Complexity of in-river work.
Powerful force of water and flooding.
A really cheap and quick project is only possible in an existing, privately owned, concrete canal that can be easily dewatered. Almost all river wave projects take 5 to 10 years and cost over a million dollars. There is no shortcut to getting a good river wave. For $350,000 or less, much of which can be grants, we can have amazing waves in the Kananaskis or in the Harvie Passage low water channel.
How does the Alberta RSA select vendors and providers of professional services?
Anytime there is an opportunity for a paid project, the Alberta RSA board decides which organization to work with based on maximizing the benefit to the Alberta RSA, surfing in Alberta, and our goals. The board consists of 7+ association members elected by the membership. Large value projects involve a request for quote sent to multiple providers. Should a board member(s) or Alberta RSA member(s) offer services through their company or organization then that member(s) are not part of discussions or decisions about vendor selection for that opportunity as per our Conflict of Interest policy. This process has allowed us to maximize benefits to surfing in Alberta while receive substantial donations in materials and services from a wide range of organizations including: Lafarge, Devcon, Hatfield Consultants LLP, Global Raymac, Surf Anywhere, Enmax, Pit Stop Portables, Fly Fox Productions, Bass Bus, Outlier River Surf, Bow Valley SUP/Surf, Alberta Whitewater Association, City of Calgary, Alberta Government, University of Ottawa, Lower Kananaskis River Users Association, Xcel Wetsuits, Quiksilver, and many more.
Who is leading the wave projects in Calgary, Cochrane, and Kananaskis?
The wave projects in the Kananaskis and Calgary are being led by the Alberta River Surfing Association and Alberta Whitewater Association. The Cochrane River Wave Park is being led by the Cochrane River Wave Park steering committee.