Test your mettle with the Severn Bore, the longest wave in England
The Severn Bore, located in Gloucester, is one of only seven surfable river waves in the world. Being the third largest, the severn bore attracts surfers from all around the world. At peak heights the wave can reach 9 feet.
On July 21 1955, Colonel ‘mad’ Jack Churchill made his own board and surfed the Severn bore for the first time. Since then, surfers have been flocking to the river to find some of the best river waves in the country.
Being the longest wave in the country many surfers have tried to obtain the record on distance covered, but local surfer Steve King holds the record of 7.6 miles of stand up surfing on the severn bore. He told the encyclopedia of surfing that riding the bore is “unlike surfing in the sea,” adding that “you can ride along looking at the cows in the fields. There’s noting better.”
There is a thriving community based around the severn bore where locals have been surfing the wave for decades. The bore is not like any wave in the sea for it can be just as unpredictable as the sea and at times can get dangerous especially nearer the banks where trees and debris on the bed of the river which can obstruct surf.
However, the best part of the wave is usually along that hazardous riverbank with speeds reaching about 11 miles per hour, the bend at ‘Stonebench’ is argued to be the best place to catch the bore on big days.
Parking near the bore can be tricky but well worth the surf, there are various places along the bore that are ideal for parking if you don’t want to fork out for camp sites. The car park just net to the White Hart public house at Broadoak one of the best spots along the bore to camp and surf.
