dangerous low head dams everywhere. Learn more about how building river surf waves can help save lives in Paul Primus' TEDx Talk. Safety Dangers associated with river surfing is hypothermia, drowning and blunt trauma. If the water is cool, the surfer may dress in a wetsuit, neoprene boots and gloves. Even if the temperature is high, it is recommended to use footwear in order to avoid cuts from rocks in the river. Care should also be taken not to stand on the river floor where the water is moving. Some choose not to use a leg rope ("leash") since there is a potential for the rope to get hung up in rocks, which can cause drowning if the surfer is unable to reach the hook-and-loop fastener due to strong currents. Depending on the river, it may also be appropriate to use a personal flotation device and helmet. To reduce danger, the surfer should also train specifically on swimming technique for rivers. When falling, one should try to fall as "flat" as possible so as not to hit rocks lying on the bottom of the river. If the surfing is done with the help of water ski rope or other type of rope fixed to shore, there should be at least one person on shore with a knife, scissors or other cutting tools available in case the rope needs to be cut for safety reasons, for example if the surfer gets tangled in the rope. River surfing is not risk free, and there have been deaths. See also Lake surfing Riverboarding References External links Riverbreak - The River Surf Magazine RiverSurfing.ca - A global organization for River Surfers by River Surfers Standings wave in the Eisbach in Munich, Germany Red Cedar River Surfing on YouTube Eisbach NEWS and interviews with the Munich river surfing community http://www.idahosurfcompany.com Alberta River Surfing Association - https://albertariversurfing.com/ Whitewater sports