Z dam is a river wide dam with a fish notch about 15 feet wide near the river right side of the James River in Richmond, VA. There may be a little bit of hometown favoritism in my saying this, but in my opinion it is one of the best playholes on the east coast. It’s best from 5’0 to 5’4, but I’ve played in it from 4’8 to 5’6. The lower it gets, the stickier, so when you go in it at 4’8, prepare to piton and get worked. Usually the only time I’m forced to surf it at that level is in the summer when the waters low, but in winter Z is usually in consistently.
The flirt is a great boat for Z- dam. I’ve thrown bigger loops there than I’ve thrown anywhere else. The balanced volume of the flirt allows for end over end cartwheeling. Z is a great place for trying new tricks. It is a very inconsequential hole so you can try anything knowing you have nothing to lose. Above 14 feet, Z turns into a great overhead wave that stretches over half the river. Although most air tricks are difficult to pull off, they are possible. Z is all around a very friendly and fun hole at the suggested levels, and a great place to learn basic surfing skills and tricks.
(Photos by: Matt Fields)
