14 DAY TRIAL // A large group of daring surfers took to the River Severn estuary in Newnham, Gloucestershire yesterday to take advantage of one of the largest Severn Bores this year.
The Severn Bore is a tidal bore that forms on the River Severn in England and is considered one of the world's best waves for surfers. The wave, which is caused by changing water levels, goes against the river current at around 13 miles per hour (21km/h) and can reach heights of up to two meters (78 inches).
Bores occur in relatively few locations across the world, usually in areas with a large tidal range and where incoming tides are funneled towards a shallow, narrowing river or lake via a broad bay.
There are several points along the Severn river where the wave reaches its strongest and highest level, so dozens of surfers and kayakers are racing to meet the wave at each point.
According to Daily Mail, the tide reached 10.3m (405.5 inches), the highest this year, but the huge amounts of rainfall in the West Country over the last weeks translates into a high volume of water coming downstream, which limited the distance surfers could travel.
The Environment Agency reports that the tide caused only minor flooding of some gardens, but no homes were affected.
