In October, Prague once again became the central hub of the international river surfing community. For the second time, pioneers, athletes, and visionaries of river surfing gathered here for the International River Surfing Summit. From October 11 to 13, surfers and experts from eight countries met on Prague’s Štvanice Island to discuss the construction of new river waves, safety standards, and the growing popularity of their sport – and, of course, to surf the famous Vltava wave together.
This year’s event marked a significant milestone: for the first time, participants from the USA and Italy attended, highlighting the increasing internationality of the river surfing scene. The summit provided a unique platform for sharing ideas and a shared passion, where attendees worked together on solutions for the future. Organized by Martin Leskovjan and Janne Paul Schmidt, the event created a space for intensive dialogue and knowledge exchange – a rarity in the decentralized and still young river surfing community.
The Future of River Surfing
A key topic at the summit was the future of the river surfing community. In a workshop, participants discussed the goals and structure of the newly established International River Surfing Network, an informal alliance initiated by Janne Paul Schmidt, intended to serve as a platform for cooperation between river wave operators and initiatives. “The enthusiasm here in Prague demonstrates the strong unity in the community and the potential we can unlock together,” emphasized Schmidt. The Munich Surfing Association (IGSM e.V.) also enriched the discussions: Moritz von Sivers highlighted the significance of newly created semi-artificial waves in Germany and Switzerland and explained how these projects are driving the planning of future ventures, including in Munich.
A highlight of the event was the evening surf session under the starlit sky. The Prague wave was illuminated artfully, providing surfers with a magical backdrop to showcase their tricks and maneuvers in a unique setting.
A Growing Network and an Inspired Community
This year’s summit showcased the tremendous potential of river surfing and the global enthusiasm for the sport. The network of dedicated surfers, engineers, and wave operators continues to grow, collaborating to advance river wave technology. The International River Surfing Network, which emerged from the summit, now offers a central platform for all who are committed to river surfing and seek higher safety and quality standards in the field.
Focus on Innovations in River Surfing
The summit focused on exchanging new ideas around wave construction, safety innovations, and river surfer training. Martin Leskovjan shared the story of the Prague wave, which was realized in a short time despite a tight budget. Heiko Heybey from Germany introduced his open-source booking software for river waves and new approaches to improving leash safety. Sandro Santschi from Switzerland also impressed with his training program for river surfing instructors, which has become the standard for professional river surfing training. Additional valuable insights were provided by Bogac Tur, who presented innovative flow simulations to enhance the safety of surf waves, and by Paul Primus and Ryan Richard from the USA, who shared updates on current developments in the American river surfing scene.
With new ideas and full of inspiration, the participants left Prague, ready to actively shape the future of river surfing. The next summit promises to be even larger, welcoming river surfers from even more nations into the growing community.
