Monday, May 28, 2007

The Severn Bore



The Severn bore is always a really good day out and a great laugh. The bore is caused by really big tides which push way up into the Bristol Channel. This phenomenon happens 120 days a year, twice each day. It normally reaches it's full potential on about four of those days with a breaking wave of up to six feet.

The world record for bore riding was set on the severn bore years back and the record contiues to be broken on an almost yearly basis. Local knowlege of the river wave has undoutedly helped to set these records.

The main tool of any bore rider is a massive board! Some of these guys actually have specialist Bore boards and they are just crazy demensions up to 11 foot long and as thick as two breaze blocks!

If you go to surf the Bore it is important to stay positive and keep an open mind. It is one wave that makes it's way up the river Severn and if you miss it then the trip has all been in vein.

A friend of ours who is a really good surfer has still yet to catch it and he has been up with us 3 times! On those accasions all you can do is find a cafe (great one on river bank in Newnham) and enjoy a good fry up and a banter with the boys.

It is usually a very early start, a heck of a drive, there's only one wave, the fresh water is very cold and it's full of kayaks and long boarders but all in all it's a really fun day out with your mates and we'd recomend it to anyone. Gower Bore Riders Forever!

For more info on this subject check out:
www.thelongwave.com
www.bbc.co.uk/boreriders
www.surfmagic.co.uk
www.wannasurf.com/

Progress surfing development at caswell and Llangennith gower!