How to river surf Golden, Colorado

Summary: One of the most consistent places to surf in the greater Denver area. The waves and holes are not the best shape, but they are surfable with a SUP at a variety of levels. If you want to surf a prone surfboard, this area will most likely disappoint.

Location: Google Map Link. The closest main cross streets are Washington Ave and 10th Street in Golden, CO. From this intersection go west on 10th Street. In a quarter mile you will pass a baseball field on your left hand side; immediately after the field turn left into a parking area. This parking lot is in the middle of the whitewater park. From here walk up and downstream along a riverside path to access the waves and holes you want to surf.

There are four holes that are worth surfing (depending on the levels). From upstream to downstream, here they are in order:

Rodeo Hole: located upstream of the main parking lot, this hole is the last surfable feature before the road makes a right hand turn. This hole works best above 300 CFS.

Looking down at Rodeo Hole from the sidewalk

Bleacher Hole: located directly in front of the main parking lot. This feature is flatter, allowing longer boards to be used. This feature starts to be surfable around 80 CFS, but around 200+ CFS starts to lose its shape and retentiveness.

Daniel McGraw surfing Bleacher Hole

Library Hole: from the main parking area, take the creekside path downstream. Walk past the baseball field and tennis courts. Continue past a parking area for the library, then next access to the river brings you straight to Library Hole. This feature is surfable (although shallow and small) above 60 CFS and continues to be surfable through all higher flow levels.

Richard Harrison surfing Library Hole

Bingo Hole: from Library Hole continue to walk downstream, underneath the Washington Street bridge. Bingo Hole is located immediately downstream from where the creekside path veers up and left away from the river. This hole works above 50 CFS and is the best low level surfing you’ll find in the white water park.

Hunter Gillane surfing Bingo Hole at just 49 CFS

Difficulty: While the flow is below 500 CFS, most of the features are beginner to intermediate friendly. At flows above 500 CFS, a lot of the holes get faster and more difficult to surf.

Hazards: At higher flows (700+ CFS), the swims become more dangerous. A couple of the eddies have rocks which you don’t want to get wrapped around. At peak flows 900+ CFS, the eddies disappear and surfing/swimming for the most part isn’t safe.

Ideal flows: At 300 CFS and above, you have the most options to choose from. If you don’t mind surfing low water, they are fun little waves to be had as low as 50 CFS.

Gauge: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?06719505%20

Best time of year: May-July tend to be the best times. If you don’t mind surfing low flows, there are surfable waves from March-October.

Amenities: Clear Creek RV Park is located at the top of the whitewater park. The creek cuts through the middle of downtown Golden where there are several hotels to choose from. Nearby food/drinks include Mountain Toad (bar with food truck), Cannonball Brewery (food truck) and Woody’s Wood Fired Pizza (all you can eat pizza and salad for $12).

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