A Brief History of Bungee Riverboarding

 

The Roots: Canal Surfing in the 1970s

 

 

The concept of riverboarding dates back to 1930s Germany, but modern bungee riverboarding traces its roots to 1970s canal surfing. Riders used a rope tied to a bridge and a simple board to surf currents, moving side-to-side across the water. This activity planted the seeds for today’s sport.

 

 

 

 

 

Innovation in Equipment

 

 

Over the years, riders experimented with new materials to enhance the experience:

 

 

 

 

 

Inner Tubes and Garage Door Springs: Early elastic systems that were functional but clunky.

 

 

Silicone Rubber Tubing: A game-changer, offering smoother and more powerful propulsion.

 

 

Latex Rubber Tubing: By the 1990s, latex became the standard, allowing riders to achieve speeds of up to 30 mph upstream.

 

 

Modern Riverboarding

 

 

Today’s riverboards are designed for speed, tricks, and hydrodynamic efficiency. The bungee system, paired with the right conditions—Fast Glass water—has turned riverboarding into an exhilarating blend of agility, creativity, and speed.

 

 

 

 

 

The Future of Bungee Riverboarding

 

 

Bungee riverboarding is where snowboarding was in the 1970s—virtually unknown but full of potential. Imagine how far snowboarding has come, from makeshift boards with ropes to cutting-edge Olympic gear. With more riders, innovation, and global exploration, this sport is poised for a similar evolution.

 

 

 

 

 

Our goal is to bring bungee riverboarding to rivers around the world and showcase it on the Olympic stage. Countries like Japan and New Zealand are primed for this sport, and the possibilities are endless.