As it got closer, the downstream current seemed to get stronger and was almost pulling us off our feet. We positioned ourselves and waited...
It hit with a fair bit of force. Mart, Rattz, Plumby, Dan and Nick all caught it, getting prone rides. Rattz and Mart went for a fair way. I, however, missed it and slid off the back of the whitewater. Gutted! Mart mentioned he'd heard me screaming "No!!!!"
With no stand up rides so far, we all had to paddle across the river and clamber up muddy banks. Back at the van we headed for Minsterworth and the Severn Bore Inn - our next chance of catching it.
We got there in good time, and were treated like warriors as we made our way to the river, the 100's+ strong crowd of spectators parting solemnly to let us through (possibly in my own head!)
We entered the water and again paddled across the river to the far bank and downstream, for a fair way.
The atmosphere in the water was really good, with everyone chatting and wondering where all the local riders were as it seemed more or less everyone was a bore virgin that day.
Again we waited against the far bank holding on to tree to keep us from drifting furher down. There were about 50-60 people in the water all spread out along the bank.
We decided to head further down away from the crowd to hopefully get a better chance and be out of the carnage which seemed inevitable. It was hard to know where to sit - inside of the masses or out on our own? Either way, it was going to be carnage with boards and bodies going every which way.
After 20 mins we saw an RIB boat fly around the far corner. This was the cue that it was approaching. We first saw it washing our side bank way down stream again a wall of whitewater.
Spectacularly, a solid five foot glassy clean wall appeared around the bend of the opposite bank, with the peak in the centre of the river!
There was a longboarder in exactly the right place. He made the drop and had the wave to himself for a few moments before losing it.
It was still a long way down from us but approaching quickly, dropping in size and frothing up. Apparently the heavy rain water had swelled the river too much so we didn't get the consistent size.
A few goatboaters and other surfers caught it further down and started speeding towards us, close to the bank. I was tucked pretty much into the bank.
Mart, Rattz and the others were a bit further out. I decided there was no way I was going to miss it a second time, so turned, closed my eyes and paddled like mad. I was expecting to get at least one canoe on my back, and closing your eyes always ensures safety in dangerous situations, doesn't it?
The wave hit me with more power than I expected and I popped up immediately, hooting like a hooter, looked over and saw Mart already up and riding.
Too much concentration was needed to take in the rest of the scene, as I was on the outside of three or four other surfers plus another one outside me and Mart next to him.
Our boards were bumping and touching as we all negotiated the river bank, and within minutes we were getting close to the pub again. Surfing upstream! The wave was losing some power and we were all still howling and hooting like mad men.
Only about eight out of 50 of us managed to get to our feet, and I managed a reasonably long Soul Arch as we passed the spectators. I came off the wave then and the guys inside me went a bit further on. It was the end longest ride of my life.
Mart gets the award for longest combined distance travelled out of us and I get the award for the longest standing ride. Unfortunately Rattz and the others were less lucky on their second attempt but Dan got to his feet briefly.
After a wicked, unforgettable experience shared in great company we were totally stoked and gagging for the next pig chase later in the year!
Mart - "Hi to everyone we met on the day - the photog from 'beach feature', Sam from 'surfcore', the Cardiff Uni massive, Wilks, John and Peg leg!"
