Surfing on the South Platte?: Previewing the South Platte River Run Project

Colorado isn't exactly known for places to surf — but that's about to change.

The $15 million South Platte River Run Project, located along a one-mile portion of the Platte shared by Englewood and Sheridan in Arapahoe County, isn't expected to be completed until 2018. But the initial phase of the project is slated for completion in July — and among its attributes are "man-made wave features" that will allow for surfing.

True, the South Platte is shallow along this stretch, requiring surfers to use a special board in order to deal with rocks — and unlike ocean surfing, riders will pretty much stay in one place as opposed to moving rapidly through the water.

Nonetheless, the chance to hang ten in the Rocky Mountain state will likely prove to be a big draw — and there's plenty more to the project, whose partners include the Arapahoe County Open Spaces Department, the cities of Englewood, Littleton and Sheridan, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and the South Suburban Parks and Recreation and Urban Drainage and Flood Control District. Also on tap are areas for boating and tubing, plus new trails and additional spaces designed with families in mind.

Below, see images from the South Platte River Run website: a photo of the area before construction began, a project map, an overview graphic and five artist renderings of the completed project. They're followed by three videos focusing on surfing — a 7News item from last summer, plus a new 9News report and accompanying clip.