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BOISE, Idaho (CBS 2) — When you think of Boise, you probably aren't thinking of it as being a great place to surf or maybe even kayak.

But, with technology at the Boise whitewater park, wave technicians are making Boise the perfect place to ride a wave.

On the Boise river, Boise Parks and Recreation creates an ocean-like wave for surfers and kayakers.

"A lot of evolution in both crafts lately, people are just getting really good at what they do down here, it's a good spot to learn," said Paul Primus, Wave Technician.

The Boise Whitewater Park opened back in 2012 and utilizes flow from an irrigation dam along the river to make the perfect river wave.

There’s a green wave for surfing, or a wave hole for kayakers, which can be perfected with the wave making system.

"What we have is nine air bladders that are all pneumatically controlled through air compressors and we're able to fill them to a tenth of a pound of pressure, and one tenth of a pound of pressure in one of these bladders can significantly change what the feature is doing," said Primus.

With the constant changes in water levels and river flows, the experience is always unique.

"For right now we're at the prime summer flow which is about 750 cfs, this is the most popular wave because it's the fastest, you get the most power out of your turns, the second one being you're able to access the wave by walking on top of the housing for the hydraulic wave shaper and you can step right on your board into the wave," said Primus.

Primus also says surfing has exploded in popularity over the last three years he's worked as a wave technician.

"It's cool that Boise is investing is stuff like this and making it kinda of unique that we can have a river wave and surf wave in Boise, it's really awesome," said Brett Nichols, Surfer.

It's a river feature that's making waves throughout the community.

Paul Primus / Boise Parks and Rec Wave Technician

"I have watched it develop into a lifestyle, lifestyle changes, I've seen a lot of people lose weight to this activity, really improve their lifestyles in all sorts of domains and it becomes nothing short of addictive it's one of the most fun activities I’ve ever engaged in," said Primus.

"It's challenging, it changes every day, it's just fun, it's a good way to get outside and have fun and relax," said Nichols.

The river wave is adjusted every day at noon to either a green wave for surfers, or a wave hole for kayakers, and is open as long as river conditions allow.

For a closer look at the river wave technology you can watch Paul talk about the sport here.

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