How To: Catch waves on the fly

China Bar a.k.a. Auburn Playpark @ approx. 3000cfs Photo: Mike Bell
This wave has eddy service. Bad example. Good wave.

On-the-fly-waves are the ones that you only get one chance per run to catch- waves that can not be caught from an eddy.

One approach to catching an on-the-fly wave is to line up for it (in terms of left-right position), point dead upstream (like a salmon) and paddle like mad (like a mad-man). This often works, but in this post, I will detail a more nuanced approach to catching waves on-the-fly.

I have learned that in many cases a better way to catch these waves if by ferrying onto them. By approaching the wave from the side, you will have a better view of the wave while maintaining forward paddling. Rather than having to look over your shoulder and assess whether you need to move more left or more right to catch the wave, you will already have commited to one direction. Therefore you will look over at the wave and assess if you need more or less of a ferry angle to position yourself on the shoulder (curling diagonal that forms the wave).

By using the shoulder of the wave, you are essentially catching a piece of the wave sooner, because the diagonal reaches further upstream. Even as you continue to move downstream along the diagonal, the shoulder will accelerate you and help you attain the speed of the wave so you can catch it and surf!

1) Identify a wave that you want to surf.

2) Identify which shoulder (curling diagonal that forms the wave) looks stronger.

3) Ferry to the side with the stronger shoulder.

4) Cut the ferry back towards the center of the wave.

5-a) Continue forward paddling and connect with the shoulder of the wave. You will feel the energy in the shoulder gradually accelerate you to the speed of the wave as you carve out onto the face of the wave. Now start that back-and-forth carving or you'll ferry right off the other side of the wave!

5-b) * (If needed) If it feels like you might flush over the back of the wave, you can try crunching your weight all the way forward as you continue to forward paddle. If you make it, re-center your weight to avoid pearling your bow into the water.

Going for the on the fly waves will increase the number of surfs per run down your local play river. More surfs= More better!