The Severn Estuary witnessed the rare occurrence of a five-star bore, attracting enthusiasts from across the UK. Amidst red alert warnings due to heavy rainfall, the tidal event offered a unique surfing experience.
Surfers and spectators in Gloucestershire experienced the thrill of the Severn Bore, a rare five-star tidal wave phenomenon, this week. The event, occurring in the Severn Estuary, attracted enthusiasts from various locations, including Lloyd Russell who journeyed from Cornwall. The Severn Bore, known for its significant tidal range, created powerful and fast-moving waves that could be ridden for several miles.
This year’s occurrence was particularly notable due to the weeks of heavy rainfall leading up to it, which prompted the Environment Agency to issue red alert warnings for local rivers. Despite the muddy and dirty conditions, surfers found the experience exhilarating, sliding down river banks on the massive wave.
The Severn Bore has been a popular event since the 1950s and its timings and quality can be anticipated using the Severn Bore website, which publishes a timetable for the year ahead. The impressive wave phenomenon is a result of the tidal waters being bottlenecked into the estuary, building up in height.
This year’s five-star bore was the first and only of its quality for the year, taking place between Newnham-on-Severn and Over, and drew crowds to the riverbanks and bridges to witness one of Britain’s most stunning tidal events. The Severn Estuary is known for having the second highest tide in the world, contributing to the spectacular nature of the Severn Bore. These awe-inspiring high tides, or spring tides, occur several times during each lunar cycle in the spring and autumn months, continuing to attract and amaze crowds with the beauty and power of nature in the Gloucestershire region.
