Start

Queensferry Road Bridge

The bore arrives at the Queensferry road bridge around 1 hour and 50 minutes before high tide Liverpool.

My preferred get in point is at the Saltney Ferry footbridge which is 6 kms upstream from Queensferry

If you're early you can always paddle down for a couple more kms, or if you are late you will meet it travelling towards you.

Many paddlers also start in Chester but have a longer downstream paddle.

If you have a driver you could meet the bore at Connah's Quay Docks Road, you'll need to allow more time.

Finish

Same as get in point unless you arrange for a shuttle.

At Saltney Ferry there is a small amount of parking on either side of the river.

Run Length

9 km

Shuttle Length

10 km

Weather & more

For the bore to develop you will be looking for a high tide at Liverpool of 9 meters or more, the best bores will be with a 10 meter or higher tide.

 There is often even a bore at lower than 9 meters.

The conditions of the bore vary greatly dependant upon factors such as, height of the tide (obviously), downriver runoff, wind direction in the estuary and Liverpool Bay.

It is possible to surf the bore as far as Chester on a very high tide, on the lower tides the bore tends to fizzle out around Saltney Ferry.

This means that  you can often surf the bore for several days either side of the highest tides, they are invariably in the morning, but for those willing it is also possible to do a night time bore.

At time of writing I don't know if a very low (Summer Level) river Dee will be ok with an under-stern rudder. I'll check this out when possible.

It is invariably possible to make an easy surf on the front wave for upto 7kms on the straight stretch of the Dee. 

At the bends the wave obviously takes different forms, dropping off and building up again.

New paragraph

The wavelength of the secondary waves is short comparative to sea waves and can be quite a challenge in a ski but very good for skill development.

You are never far from a river bank if you capsize but the water is not too deep in in many places that you should be able to stand up.

The bore travels upstream at approx 10.5 kmph.

Contributor

Mark Williams