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Montana conjures up enormous mountains, sweeping skylines and the wild west. But surfing? 

A thrill-seeking surfer has ditched the conventional rip curls of the ocean to catch waves in secret river hot spots in America's 'Big Sky Country'. 

Paolo Marchesi, 45, discovered the unlikely locations while on a photo shoot in Missoula, Montana, USA.

Having been told about the locations by a local surf shop owner, Paolo, from Turin, Italy, went searching for them in nearby rivers.

River surfing requires a special kind of board, which is wider, shorter and fatter than those used in the ocean.

Due to the high frequency of waves and shorter distances surfers have to travel to get to such rivers, Paolo said he was impressed with how river surfers get far more surf time during while on location.

He said: 'River surfing is different, friendly people, full of camaraderie, encouragement - a refreshing change.

'On top of that they are shaping their own boards specific to river surfing and they are ripping on them.

'These guys are taking river surfing to a new level, they are revolutionising the sport.'

Paolo Marchesi, 45, discovered the river surfing locations while on a photo shoot in Missoula, Montana, USA

River surfing requires a special kind of board, which is wider, shorter and fatter than those used in the ocean

'River surfing is different, friendly people, full of camaraderie, encouragement - a refreshing change,' says Marchesi

Marchesi ditched the conventional rip curls of the ocean to catch waves in secret river hot spots

The accomplished surfer says river boarders are taking surfing to a new level, and are revolutionising the sport

River surfer Ian Stokes making what's known as a top turn, as he surfs Montana's secret river hot spots

Professional photographer and surfer Paolo Marchesi pictured in action with his underwater camera

River surfer Kevin Benhart Brown with his board - boards used for river surfing are shorter, wider and fatter than regular surf boards

Montana is an unlikely surf spot, more famous for its enormous mountains.Kevin Benhart Brown pictured here doing an 'ollie'