Playspot: Switzerland, Valais, River Rhone, St. Maurice.

What's it like

Valais' Winter Wave: a fast bouncy breaking wave up to 1.5 m high and 4 m across. It is mainly a fast surfing/carving wave, not very retentive, but good boaters can make moves.

There's a good eddy on the left but entry is also possible from the right. It is 300 meters downstream of the old stone bridge at St. Maurice.

The spot is best in lowish water (100-150 m3/s) in autumn through early-spring. On sundays the water is often lower than the rest of the week - owing to HEP. In summer/high water the wave and the eddy are washed out. The wave is adjacent to a characteristic rock on river left (cool platform for photos).

There are no particular dangers - just quiet water below. The water temperature is 8-10 °C.

This is the local 'winter wave' and tends to start working when the Sierre wave is too low. It can get really cold here in winter as there is not much sun. Lets be clear, this isn't the worlds greatest spot BUT it works when everything else is dry and its a great blast.

How to get there

Arriving from Montreux (west) leave N9 motorway just after Bex. Turn left and continue on the main 'route cantonale' [21] road heading towards St. Maurice. Go straight across the 1st roundabout and turn right at the 2nd [9] - direction St. Maurice/Martigny. About 1 km and after crossing-over the motorway, immediately a service road turns tight off to the right (take care poor visibility). Normally this road is not public but nobody ever bothered us. Service road becomes a gravel track and drops down to riverbank. Park-up and play. If you don't want to risk the service road then leave your vehicle up by the route cantonale and walk down - 150 m.

More info

The best level 100-150 m3/s on the Rhone Porte du Scex gauge.

Locals

Quiet spot outside of town - no problems - all welcome.

Info source

Ian Beecroft