Oregon River Surfing with Arlen Mossgrove

For this next spotlight, we head inland to Bend, Oregon, where the stoke of dawn patrol runs far beyond the coastline. We've explored morning surf communities in the ocean and on the Great Lakes, and now we're diving into the unique world of river surfing. One of my favorite parts of this series is seeing how different, yet similar all the surf communities are. Whether you're paddling out on the West Coast, chasing waves on the Great Lakes, surfing across the globe, or ripping a standing river wave, the common thread is the people, the routine, and the way time in the water shapes the rest of the day.

Meet Arlen Mossgrove. Originally from a small town in rural Alaska, Arlen discovered surfing after moving to Bend and quickly became part of the tight-knit community that gathers daily along the Deschutes River. Today, he balances his role as Marketing Manager at Loonen with early morning river sessions, mountain-town adventures, and the occasional trip to the Oregon coast. In our conversation, Arlen shares what makes river surfing unique, how the Bend surf community has become a second family, and why every day that starts in the water is a good day.

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Q. Can you briefly introduce yourself?

Arlen - My name is Arlen Mossgrove. I grew up in a tiny town in rural Alaska where most people avoid going in the water at all costs. I'm currently a marketing manager for Loonen, working hard to bring consumers the best bottled water experience (while avoiding plastics).

Q. What first drew you to river surfing in Oregon?

Arlen - When I decided to move to Bend I fell down a YouTube wormhole and found the Weird Waves series with Dylan Graves. I was mostly a climber/ski bum at the time but have always loved the water and wanted to give surfing a shot. I knew I'd love it so I got myself a wetsuit and board before even going out. 6 years later and I couldn't imagine my time here any other way.

Q. First off, I’m stoked that FLSC got to partner with Loonen at one of our SIP & RIP events. Can you share a bit about your role with Loonen and how working with the brand has supported your river surfing lifestyle in Bend?

Arlen - My role with Loonen is currently a little bit of everything since we're essentially brand new, but my main focus is helping launch Loonen in new regions as we expand. I've been down to Southern California quite a bit for the launch so I've managed to get my river surfing in with a healthy dose of trips to the ocean. Thanks to my river buddies, I usually have someone to surf with or bum a board from anywhere down the West Coast.

Q. Walk us through a typical session. What does the routine look like, and how does it compare to surfing in the ocean?

Arlen - A typical session starts with waking up with the sun, gulping a cup of coffee, and eating a snack on the way to the river. Once there I'm usually out for an hour or two. We have a bit of a different 'line up' since it's an actual line. Wait times vary, etiquette dictates you ride for no longer than a minute when it's your turn. Because it's often the same crew, it tends to be pretty social. My wife and I have made a ton of good friends out there and really love the community so even when it's a longer wait it's not the end of the world.

When the line gets big or I get tired of waiting I'll walk down to the "lower wave," which is usually set up for whitewater kayaking but can be surfed on a longboard. The special sauce that everyone in Bend is looking for is the Wavestorm Taquito - it's a kids standup paddleboard and it's perfect for that wave. 

The ocean is a different beast but the experience definitely translates. We're lucky at the river to get 30+ turns in each ride so the repetition is super helpful. If you started in the river like me, reading waves and paddling strength are the biggest challenges when transitioning to the ocean. The Oregon coast can be incredible but it's also incredibly fickle, so it's nice to be able to make the most of it.

Q. How does starting your day with a surf affect your mood, mindset, and productivity for the rest of the day?

Arlen - Every day that starts in the water is a good day. I feel much clearer throughout the day and generally things bother me a whole lot less. Stress is reduced and vibes are higher.

Ocean surfing is heavily shaped by swell, tides, and wind. What conditions factor into river surfing, and what unique challenges or nuances come with surfing a river wave?
- We are primarily impacted by CFS in the Deschutes River. The river flow is controlled by irrigation so it is pretty consistent but we do deal with fluctuations that change the shape of the wave quite a lot. Bend Parks and Rec employees shape the wave using hydraulic gates, but when the flow is too high, the wave can get mushy and washed out, if its too low you are breaking fins and hitting the ground.

When the flow is high you have to swim much harder, when the flow is low you have to deal with smashing lava rocks with your tailbone.

Q. What is the surf community like in Bend, and how has river surfing shaped your community?

Arlen - The surf community in Bend is generally incredible. I do feel like it's divided up by what time of day you usually surf: the afternoons have more of a grom crowd, but the mornings are usually pretty mellow with a similar cast of characters day after day and year after year.

Most everyone out there is willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who shows up to try out the wave and ensure everyone stays safe. We have a couple of local shapers out here who make awesome boards and have really found what works best in a river setting.

I honestly don't know what my social life would be like without the wave, we've made lifelong friends there and it's introduced us to a really great community of supportive people. It's hard to go out in town without seeing someone familiar, even if you don't recognize them right away without a wetsuit.

Q. Gerry Lopez has become an iconic part of the Bend surf community and helped shine a light on river surfing as a whole. From your perspective, how has his presence influenced the culture and growth of surfing in Bend?

Arlen - This one is a bit funny for me to answer because my wife and I didn't really know he was a big deal until a few years after we met him, but from my experience he's been a great steward of the river wave and is as helpful as anyone else out there. You'll regularly see him giving tips and helping out people who are struggling. Nothing but good things to say, and always appreciate him taking the time to help people.

Q. Beyond surfing, what other passions or hobbies keep you grounded in the Bend community?

Arlen - Bend is definitely a multi-sport town, so I spend a lot of time on my mountain bike in the summer and skis/snowboard in the winter!

Q. What advice would you give to someone who wants to try river surfing for the first time, whether they’re in Oregon or chasing similar waves elsewhere?

Arlen - If you're in Bend and need some help at the river, just ask. Most everyone there is happy to help and wants to see you have fun and get some time on the wave. You also shouldn't expect it to feel like ocean surfing; the river is a different deal and I've seen a lot of talented surfers get frustrated. Take tips from the locals, don't ruin your nice board, and just take it for the unique experience that it is.

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Learn more of Arlen's story here.

Learn more about Arlens work at Loonen here.