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Tidal Bores

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lupar_benak.jpg

Lupar River Benak Tidal Bore (Malaysia) photo: Oxbold youtube video


Intro

See description of tidal bore


Tidal Bores on a Surfski Website?

Tidal bores as a surfable wave type is a novelty for surfskiers. And they may prove to be not that interesting in terms of the variation in surfing experience that they provide for surfskiers. Given how straight a surfski has to remain to avoid broaching on fast and/or steep waves, will any of the world's bores prove sufficiently accessible, challenging, and/or entertaining to draw the interest of many surfskiers?




Safety

  • We really haven't been provided with any information on tidal bore safety based on first hand reports yet - so that is a whole additional bundle of safety concerns that need to be identified.
    • Some obvious ones:
      • Avoid river edge obstacles
      • Where do these waves tend to break if they are large?
      • Critters - crocodiles, caimans, what does the bore pick up from the banks - spiders, snakes, etc.?
      • River water quality, pollution

Locations

tidalbores.jpg

photo: USGS 1988 Tidal Bore Catalog click to enlarge

Australia

Most tidal bores we know about here are fairly remote and can be frequented by crocs.

  • Ord River in Western Australia - crocs and remote (the Kimberley), Styx River in central Queensland video, Daly River in the Northern Territory

Brazil

Surfing the Amazon's “pororoca” tidal bore


Canada


China

Surfing the Qiantang River “Silver Dragon”


France


India

  • Hooghly River (distributary of the Ganges) - the “Baan”

Jet Surfing the “Baan”


Indonesia

Sumatra

Bono = tidal bore

  • Kampar River

Surfing the Seven Ghosts Bono


Malaysia

“Benak” = tidal bore

  • Lupar River video
    • The Lupar does have crocs
  • Sadong River video

Myanmar

  • Sittang (or Sittaung) River
    • These videos are kind of interesting because they are made by a solo SUP paddler using no boat or support. But he does carry multiple cameras including a drone to document his adventures.

New Guinea

  • Fly River
  • Turama River

Pakistan

  • Indus River

UK


US

  • Colorado River - used to have a large tidal bore at its estuary in Mexico