No, it’s not what you think. What I’m talking about here isn’t an old man in a leaky punt telling you about how it was better in the old days. No. What I am talking about is one of nature’s most spectacular events, a tidal bore. A wave travelling up a river. What? Read on. River bores might look like tsunamis or freak waves but actually, they are very predictable and happen more often than you’d think.
The day I went to see the Severn Bore for the first time was the best day’s surfing I’ve ever done without getting wet. I tagged along with my mate Rich to take a few photos and meet a few of the crew. I didn’t really know what to expect but was overwhelmed with the river, the wave and, above all, the friendliness and dedication of the surfers who venture out on to the mud flats every time it breaks.
Perhaps I should tell you how and why tidal bores occur? Basically it’s all about the incoming tide. During spring tides the sea has farther to travel because the difference between the low tide and the high tide is at its greatest. That means that the water has further to travel in the same amount of time (the time difference of approximately 6.25 hours between low and high tide doesn’t change) so it travels faster. Add to that the fact that spring tides bring more water and you can see how an incoming spring tide, when funnelled upstream into a narrowing river could cause a wave of water to travel up the river. Unlike an ocean wave, which is a wave of energy, a river wave or tidal bore is a mass of water rushing upstream. Got it? Now who’s the river bore?
Anyway, tidal bores are also known in some places as aegirs. This is after the Norse god of the oceans, Aegir, who had power over the seas. Tidal bores were presumably named after him as a manifestation of his doing. The tidal bore that travels up the River Trent is still known as the Trent Aegir. This is the second biggest tidal bore in the UK. The biggest is the Severn Bore, which can reach heights of up to 2 metres and travels at anywhere between 12 and 16 kmh. Surfers have been riding the bore for many years, with incredible rides being recorded over the years. Unofficially, a legendary surfer named Rod Sumpter (who also appeared in the classic film, Endless Summer) was said to have surfed the Severn Bore for 9.6 miles in 1967. The Guinness World Record for the longest ever surfboard ride was set here in 2006 by Steve King, who rode for 7.6 miles.
As well as being dependent on the height of the tide, the height of a tidal bore can also depend on the amount of water in the river (the less the better) and the weather conditions.
Surfing The Bore
Because the Severn Bore takes a couple of hours to reach the weir at Gloucester it is possible to surf it at various spots along its journey and then jump in the car to catch it later on. The guys I went with did this three times in the course of the morning. It’s that which makes it so exciting. They surf a bit, they race down the country lanes, surf again and then dash through traffic lights and housing estates to catch it one last time. It’s like a treasure hunt-cum-surf trip.
What I didn’t realise was that the wave breaks differently in different spots (some of them are secret and guarded closely by the regulars), dies out in places, rears up in others and can be really dangerous. As the tide floods the river it brings with it trees and branches and bits of rubbish, so sometimes it’s the aftermath that’s chaotic. With onlookers lining the banks and dozens of have a go heroes waiting for the wave to come around the corner it’s a bit like a carnival.
Only, unlike your common or garden carnival, it ends with surfers scrabbling to grab trees and slipping and sliding as they attempt to clamber up the muddy banks. Despite the number of people in the water only the regulars get the longest rides. Nathan surfed it for over a mile at one spot in a ride lasting six minutes. Considering we would call a 30 second ride good under normal circumstances, that’s incredible.
But then Nathan knows the river well. And even after 7 years of surfing the Severn Bore, he’s still as stoked as ever. And he’s happy to share it.
For anyone who thinks they'd like a go at surfing the bore I can only suggest you go and take a look first. It really is phenomenal. One of nature’s wonders.
Fancy it? Here's a guide to surfing the bore from the Gloucester Harbour Trustees.
Other bores in the UK (but not necessarily all of them) are at:
- The River Dee. Small and unpredictable.
- The Trent Aegir. The second largest tidal bore in the UK, with waves up to a metre.
- Parret Bore. Has been surfed but not massive.
- Great Ouse, Norfolk.
- River Ouse, Yorkshire.
- River Ribble, Lancashire.
- River Eden, Kent.
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