Nothing like trying the tidal bore first-hand

By Christy Marsters

NovaNewsNow.com

Development officer Pat Gould-Thorpe of the Hants RDA doesn’t consider herself a thrill-seeker.

Yet when she was asked to explain the tidal bore experience as part of her job to promote Hants County, she knew she had to test the waters first-hand.

This was the primary reason why Gould-Thorpe found herself standing on a sandbar -- in the middle of the Shubenacadie River -- about five years ago. “It just felt like you were standing on water,” Gould-Thorpe said. “Then we started heading down river.”

The tidal bore crept in as one little wave and then the waves just kept getting bigger while the water rushed by faster, Gould-Thorpe noted. “I grabbed for a handle and a rope, which were anchored to the boat, to keep from flying out. I was concentrated on hanging on, breathing at the right times to keep from breathing in a next wave.”

The boat was out for a couple of hours, but it didn’t seem that long, Gould-Thorpe added. “I don’t usually do stuff like this, but I was finding out what there was to do in Hants County. And I’d have to say this is the wildest thing to do in the area.”

Tidal bore rafting has been noted as an exceptional experience only offered through River Runners (in Maitland), Shubenacadie River Adventure Tours Limited (in South Maitland) and Shubenacadie Tidal Bore Rafting Park (in Urbania). All three facilities are situated along the Shubenacadie River and are located within limits of Hants County.

Only place in the world

River guide Trevor Tipping, of Shubenacadie Tidal Bore Rafting Park, said this is the only place in the world you can go tidal bore rafting. “There is nothing like it anywhere else and all one can do to prepare is just bring a change of clothes.”

People get to experience the river switching direction in minutes, as the front of the tide fights against a fresh water river, Tipping said. “All people really have to do is hang on. It’s for all types; children and seniors can do it. It’s extremely phenomenal.”

Owner Brian van de Vrie, of River Runners, said the intensity of the phenomenon is dependent on the moon because when the moon is full or new, there are bigger tides. “What I most look forward to is the biggest tide each month. Maitland is a super good location; being right at the mouth of the river. We start where the action does.”

Monster waves over 20 feet high

River guide Jake Rogers, of Shubenacadie Adventure Tours Limited, said he has had the privilege of hitting a few monster waves over 20 feet high where it’s just a wall of white water crashing against the boat. “In extreme settings the waves are around 10-16 feet, but when it clicks and you hit a wave just right, it’s a fantastic feeling,” he said.

The amount and height of the rapids are lunar-controlled, but this is part of what makes the experience absolutely phenomenal. “It’s never the same twice,” Rogers added. “The experience; it’s the thrill of a lifetime.”

For those looking for less of a thrill, but still want to see the tidal bore phenomenon, it can be viewed just off Exit 5 on Highway 101 by turning left onto Route 14 and heading toward Mantua. By attending at the right times the tidal bore can be seen from Mantua Bridge or from Tidal View Farms (located just minutes off this bridge.)