Moment huge line of surfers ride the five
This is the moment a line of surfers rode a five-star Severn Bore as the rare natural phenomenon emerged in daylight today for first time in five years.
The Bore, a tidal wave that occurs in the lower reaches of the river, was visible this morning as it surged up between Newnham-on-Severn and Over in Gloucestershire.
Hundreds of spectators lined the riverbank and bridges to catch a glimpse of the first and only five-star bore of the year, while dozens of surfers and paddleboarders attempted to catch the wave.
The Severn Estuary receives the second highest tide anywhere in the world and the difference between the lowest and highest tides in one day can be more than 47 ft.
These high or spring tides occur on several days in each lunar cycle throughout the spring and autumn and the bore is caused when the incoming tide is funneled into an increasingly narrow channel against the current of the river.
The Bore, a tidal wave that occurs in the lower reaches of the river, was visible as it surged up between Newnham-on-Severn and Over in Gloucestershire
Dozens of surfers and paddleboarders attempted to ride the wave - with varying success
The Severn Estuary receives the second highest tide anywhere in the world and the difference between the lowest and highest tides in one day can be more than 14.5 metres (47 feet)
What causes the Severn Bore?A bore is natural phenomena that causes a large wave to appear in the lower end of a river.
The Severn Estuary receives the second highest tide anywhere in the world and the difference between the lowest and highest tides in one day can be more than 14.5 metres (47 feet).
These high or spring tides occur on several days in each lunar cycle throughout the spring and autumn and the bore is caused when the incoming tide is funneled into an increasingly narrow channel against the current of the river.
AdvertisementToday was the first time the bore has reached its peak 'five-star' status in daylight for five years.
Every year enthusiasts flock to the river in an attempt to surf along the wave while thousands of spectators watch.
Six surfers, Will, Beth, Sarah, Arron, MJ and Alex, travelled from Bristol to ride the bore today and described it as 'one of the best minutes of our lives'.
Speaking to the BBC, they added that there was a strong current and that the bore was 'hard to catch'.
Another surfer, Steve King, said the challenge with a single wave was the need to leave enough space for everyone else.
'We're all trying to catch the same wave, so 30 or 40 people are on it,' he said.
Cornish surf instructor Peter Abell proposed to his marine biologist girlfriend Angie de Burgh while riding the bore in 2016.
Video shows the pair balancing on their boards as the tidal wave sweeps up the River Severn, before Angie shouts: 'Yes.'
The spot holds special significance for Peter and Angie because its where their love of surfing first brought them together in 2013.
Today was the first time the bore has reached its peak 'five-star' status in daylight for five years
Every year enthusiasts flock to the river in an attempt to surf along the wave while thousands of spectators watch
Surfers waiting for the bore to make its way towards them this morning
Surfers walk into the River Severn ahead of the arrival of the bore