mascaret : pororoca : severn : turnagain

THE MASCARET PAGES
The seventy kilometre long Gironde Estuary is formed by the confluence of the Dorodgne and Garonne rivers 23km north of Bordeaux. Located between the Médoc and the Cotes vineyards, the estuary is the great artery of the Bordeaux wine region. Many tranquil villages line its banks, where life passes slowly in a relaxed french ambiance.
But for four or five days around the new or full moon the peace of the river is disturbed. For the large spring tides herald the coming of the mascaret. Over its length the estuary narrows from around eleven to three kilometres, and before reaching the fork at Bayon a wave is visible at the head of the incoming tide. In fact the bore can be sighted earlier from the rural town of Cotes de Blaye with its overlooking citadel.
The mascaret continues its course up the Garonne breaking as fast barrelling waves in certain short sections finally dying out around Cadillac. On the Dordogne the mascaret passes through a long stretch of meandering river. On one long horseshore-like bend the river passes the ports of St Pardon and Vayres. It is here, as the early workers start about their day, that the mascaret riders congregate to ride the tidal bore.
hunting the mascaret
mascaret 2001
port st pardon
surfing the mascaret
the gironde mascaret by fabrice colas
Mascaret Barrels in Front of Chez Ani, Courtesy Bruno Boue
'Surfing the bore is as exciting as Mundaka. Surfers do not hesitate to cover more than 250km from Biarritz to ride one wave! Surfing St Pardon is a true ceremony. One hour before low tide surf cars begin arriving everywhere.
It's all about finding the right spot on the river'
Gibus De Soultrait, Surfers Journal, Volume 9, #1
Mascaret Image, Courtesy Isabelle Godiceau Mascaret Image, Courtesy Fabrice Colas Mascaret Image, Courtesy Bruno Boue Mascaret Image, Courtesy Tom Wright Mascaret Image, Courtesy Bruno Boue