Boards
No single board works well for all conditions. Instead, most surfers will develop a set of boards that work well in their area. Some start with traditional ocean boards, but it’s not an easy way to start. It’ll be easier to learn if you start with something with more volume and a larger planing area than most ocean shortboards, and less length than the long soft top boards that most ocean surfers start out on so you can fit onto the wave. Look for soft top boards with significant rocker.
Save fiberglass boards for when you have your feet under you a little better, and don’t drive your board into the rocks quite so often.
Helmets
Helmets are nearly mandatory at just about every river wave. Look for something whitewater specific rather than a bike or climbing helmet.
Leashes
Wearing a leash is th eeasiest way to get killed … Read the rest