surfing the river severn

[tree_hugger]

hey people i was wondering if any body knew any information about the tidal waves that you get in the river severn like how many waves are there and at what times of year they occur, because i was thinking about driving up there i the summer. i heard some bloke rode one for 6 miles.
coolio

[sinistapenguin]

The severn bore happens about 4 times a year (big enough to be rideable) but it is DANGEROUS!.

If you're going to try and catch it, you'd better be a confident surfer already and use an old board that you don't mind getting smashed up.

Wear an old wetsuit because the water is filthy!

You need to be in the water and paddle among about 30 or 40 other surfers for a single wave.

IF you're lucky enough to get on the wave (and it's a big IF) then you have to dodge all sorts of broken trees, shopping trolleys, dead farm animals etc without losing the wave.

It's basically a tidal wave and sweeps all the debris off the fields and banks into the river. If you fall off, you will get churned around in all the cr@p - DON'T OPEN YOUR MOUTH/EYES! There are 4 or 5 other waves that follow the bore, not strong enough to catch, but they bring the debris and will work you over!

That said, it does hold the record for the longest ever ride. Officially I think it still sits at around 4.3 miles, but unofficially it's 6.1 miles.

You need a very long board and be prepared to miss it.!! The wave height and steepness vary along the river. At one point it will be about 1 ft high, then you'll go round a corner, the river will narrow and it'll push up to a 6ft face!! It is not an easy wave to ride, by any means!

Cheers

Sinista

[tree_hugger]

yeah it sounds pretty savage but i was watching a programme a few weeks ago and it had this total begginer on it surfing the river for a bit. i looks pretty good but it is hell of a way for a couple of waves.
cheers coolio.

[PapaW]

http://www.severn-bore.co.uk/default.htm

Cehck out this vid of it... -> http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/town/pi ... revid3.avi

Funny as! but the bloody goat boaters take about about 4 people in their lame ass uncontroled "riding"