Blog
River inspiration, reviews, stories, advice, camping tips, and about anything else we can think of from the Zoo Town Surfers staff.
2019 End of Season Wrap-Up
The season is pretty much over for most of us river guides here in Western Montana. Winter is knocking on our door and most us have already transitioned into our off-season. It was a great summer and I always feel so thankful to work around awesome people and call the...
THINGS TO DO IN MISSOULA
The staff here at Zoo Town Surfers loves doing this write up a few times a year. Our list of favorite things to do in Missoula is constantly changing, as we evolve as Missoulians ourselves. We are going to keep it basic here, since you have the Internet to guide you...
A GUIDE TO FLOATING THE RIVERS OF MISSOULA
The Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers merge together just five miles east of Missoula and offer some of the finest rafting and scenic river tours Montana has to offer. In the heat of summertime, there is nothing more inviting than spending a day on the river. Here are...
Dagger Ultrafuge – A Kayak Made for the Alberton Gorge
Here is a very unbiased assessment of the best Gorge boat out there. Fast? Check. Surfs well? Yes. Cartwheels any feature? You bet. Spins with the best of them? Like a true ultracentrifuge. Stern squirts? No current needed. These are appropriate yet boring ways of...
What’s in the personal bag?
This is not the first blog I have written about personal lap bags and it will not be the last. The more time I spend on the river, the more my bag evolves. It also changes with the seasons and rivers that I’m working on. I don’t guide on any multi-day trips so this is...
THE LEDGE
All week it's been warm and sunny—t-shirt weather—but cold rain falls Friday morning, the day of my first river surf lesson. Driving to the Wave Cave, Zoo Town Surfers's warehouse basement headquarters at 1001 S. 4th St W in Missoula, I wimp out and flick on the seat...
Essential Pieces of Gear for Spring Paddling
1. Kokatat Dry Suit: Essential for working on the river and swimming in cold water. 2. Capilene base layer. 3. Kokatat Dry Top: Great option if you can’t afford drysuit and more versatile if you combine with bibs (#8). Can use all year long. 4. Kokatat Habanero...
HOW TO ACE GUIDE SCHOOL AND YOUR FIRST YEAR ON THE RIVER
Guide training is the first step to becoming a river guide. This week is essential for acquiring the skills and knowledge needed for the upcoming guide season. Boat control, understanding basic river hydrology, guest experience, and river safety are among the key...
BE A HERO: Master the art of camp cooking
At the end of a long day on the river you're gonna need to put some food in your belly. Camp cooking can seem like a chore at times but the payoff is well worth it. You can choose cheap and easy or full gourmet. Sometimes the simplest meals can be the best. Prep work...
