The Rise of River Surfing: The Midwest’s Next Big Outdoor Trend
River Surfing Makes Waves in the Midwest, Boosting Economic Growth and Spurring Whitewater Park Development
Hannah Ray J has been around rivers her whole life. Growing up, she fished and kayaked near her family’s farm in Manchester, Iowa. One day, she spotted someone standing on a surfboard in a river in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
“I thought: That looks really fun; I want to try that,” she says. Since then, she has transformed that chance encounter into her life’s passion: surfing America’s rivers.
Hannah is not alone. River surfing is becoming the next big trend in outdoor recreation across the Midwest.
Recently, an urban whitewater park opened in Norfolk, Nebraska, and a surfing area is being planned for Cedar Falls, Iowa, as part of a larger river recreational project. In West Carrollton, Ohio, authorities are set to develop a major project around a new whitewater river park on the Great Miami River, while a similar initiative is underway in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
These new facilities have the potential to attract thousands of river enthusiasts—and their tourist dollars—boosting the economic development of many small, land-locked communities. Some experts have even dubbed river surfing “the future of surfing” due to its rapid rise in popularity.
Badfish SUP, a Colorado-based paddle and surfboard company, reports a surge in sales of its river surfboards since the pandemic.
“We have had far and away our best year ever this year,” says Mike Harvey, co-owner of Badfish SUP. “I’ve never seen this level of excitement from any other river-based activity I’ve been involved in.” The company has even named one of its boards “Wave Farmer” as a tribute to the people who live and work in the landscapes surrounding this emerging sport.
Source
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/river-surfing-midwest
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Ready to Tackle New England’s Most Dangerous Hike?
The breathtaking view and sense of accomplishment are what make challenging hikes so exciting. While extreme sports and adventures may be popular on social media, they are not for everyone.
Hiking offers a variety of trails for all skill levels, with weather playing a significant role. Jenni Herchek from Baltimore, MD, shared a photo from the Precipice Trail on Oct 28 after a 12-hour drive.
The Weather Channel has compiled a list of the most dangerous hikes in the country, including the Precipice Trail in Acadia National Park, Maine. These hikes require top-tier skills and special gear, with many hikers training extensively for them.
Despite the incredible mountain ranges and national parks in the US, only seven hikes made the list. BJ McCollister from Portland, Maine, shared a photo from the Precipice Trail over Indigenous People’s Day Weekend.
The Precipice Trail is known for its steep cliffs and metal rungs that help hikers ascend over 1,000 feet in less than a mile to the summit of Champlain Mountain. While the climb is not technically difficult, it requires significant physical and mental strength.
After being closed for protection, the Precipice Trail and Orange & Black Path have reopened to the public.
Source: https://i95rock.com/most-dangerous-hike-maine-connecticut-new-england/
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Paris Olympics: A Guide to the Sport Climbing Competition and Key Athletes to Watch
A guide to the sport climbing competition at the Paris Games:
Top Athletes to Watch
– Janja Garnbret from Slovenia: A dominant climber with eight world championships and an Olympic gold medal.
– Sam Watson from the United States: A young speed-climbing specialist who qualified for Paris by winning gold at the Pan American Games.
– Aleksandra Miroslaw from Poland: The women’s speed-climbing world record holder.
– Sorato Anraku from Japan: A top-ranked athlete in lead and boulder at just 17 years old.
– Jakob Schubert from Austria: A six-time world champion and bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics.
Notable Storylines
– Janja Garnbret aims to defend her Olympic gold and has spoken out against the pressure to stay thin in the sport.
– Speed climbing records are expected to continue falling at the Paris Games.
– Changes to the competition format will see separate gold medals awarded for bouldering and lead events, as well as for speed climbing.
Important Dates
– The competition runs from August 5 to August 10, with the women’s speed final on August 7 and the men’s on August 8. The combined boulder and lead finals will be on August 9 for men and August 10 for women.
Defending Champions
– Women’s combined: Janja Garnbret from Slovenia.
– Men’s combined: Alberto Ginés López from Spain.
Source: https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/525150.aspx
Learn more: https://www.adventurefilm.academy/
