Get On<\/h6>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.performanceseakayak.co.uk\/Archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/P1110476-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a>Jubilee Bridge (Blue-Bridge) Seal Launch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThere are 3 options really:<\/p>\n
\n- Saltney Footbridge \u2013 (SJ 370, 655)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Easy parking in a small car park on Ferry Lane, N bank.
\nFairly easy get on (N) bank- maybe a little muddy. Sometimes danglers are to be found here.
\nDownside: you have a 3.5 mile paddle to meet the wave \u2013 making timing a little trickier.
\nUpside: you will have a fairly short paddle and easy-ish get out at the end. You may have to wait for the water level to rise a little.<\/p>\n
Alternatively there is a small rough-ground car park on the S bank NE of Saltney, on the corner of the B5129 by the bridge. This gives access to the muddy riverbank.<\/p>\n
\n- Jubilee Bridge (\u2018Blue-Bridge\u2019\u00a0 – \u2018Old Bridge\u2019) at Queensferry \u2013 (SJ 321, 686)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Limited parking.
\nAccess to the river bank is easy (S bank) but access to the water is tricky \u2013 there is plenty of mud here. (Don\u2019t get stuck with the Bore coming in!)
\nDownside: long paddle back or shuttle from Saltney (or alternative get-out).
\nUpside: you are only a few hundred metres from catching the wave \u2013 timing is easier.<\/p>\n
\n- Connah\u2019s Quay Slipway \u2013 (SJ 295,698)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Easy parking.
\nThere is a slipway to access the water but it can have a copious coating of mud.
\nDownside: Even longer way to paddle back \u2013 a shuttle or alternative get-out is required again. Don\u2019t get fooled by the wave forming before the Railway Bridge \u2013 there\u2019s a good chance it will fade just before the Jubilee Bridge , and again at the A494 Bridge. (See later.)
\nUpside: close to the \u2018start\u2019 and gives the longest ride.<\/p>\n
There are alternative get-outs at:
\nThe Cop (SJ 396,666) – For those who stay with the bore until the bitter end. Limited parking. You either have some undergrowth to contend with here or have to wait for the water levels to rise for a time. I’ve used this get-out a number of times.<\/p>\n
There is access to the river bank S of the ‘Old Dee Bridge’, close to the Chester Rockdragon. Parking is limited to residential street parking in the area.<\/p>\n
Get Out<\/h6>\n
Your options are basically your get-on locations \u2013 Saltney Footbridge, Queensferry or Connah\u2019s Quay \u2013 wait for the tide to ebb before slogging back.<\/p>\n
There is a sneaky get-out option at the 90-degree bend at The Cop (SJ 396,666) – for those who stay with the bore until the bitter end. However you may have to wait for the water levels to rise to egress, and it may be overgrown in the summer. Car parking is limited to a small section of rough ground.<\/p>\n
Alternatively, with the luxury of a shuttle or a driver, you may want to continue into Chester.
\nThere is access to the river bank S of the ‘Old Dee Bridge’, close to the Chester Rockdragon. Parking is limited to residential street parking in the area.\u00a0 There is also an option to get-out in the car park at Sandy Lane – but ONLY if the weir is safe to paddle over.<\/p>\n
Personally I get out at one of the 3 get-ins, Saltney is probably the most-straightforward.<\/p>\n
Catching the Wave<\/h6>\n
A broken full-width wave has formed as it rounds the corner on the way out of Connah\u2019s Quay. But as the river deepens near the Railway Bridge it may fade, to reform short of the Jubilee Bridge. Soon there is a sneaky-fade, just before it reaches the A494 dual-carriageway bridge, where it finally reforms, to then stay the distance.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.performanceseakayak.co.uk\/Archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/P1120050-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a>Catching The Wave<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.performanceseakayak.co.uk\/Archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/P1110504-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a>Racing the Fade – A494 Bridge Sprint<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nI think it is best to catch the wave about half-way between the Jubilee Bridge and the Railway Bridge \u2013 however be aware of that false-reform and sneaky-fade before the A494 dual-carriageway bridge. A sprint is required here \u2013 I prefer the eddy tight on the Left (N) bank. The Right (S) will do too, the fade is shorter on this side, but it can be shallow and a little rocky.<\/p>\n
Running the Wave<\/h6>\n
If the conditions are good then the wave will run all the way to Saltney Footbridge, and beyond. It will fade and form as it goes, anything between full-width green, part-broken and full-width broken. In the early stages after Queensferry you may get 3ft+. As you move further upriver then the wave height will generally decrease to 2-3ft by Saltney.<\/p>\n
Keep your wits about you and be prepared to move across river to catch the best wave. Daydream and you will get caught out.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.performanceseakayak.co.uk\/Archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/P1120075-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a>Looking Around<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.performanceseakayak.co.uk\/Archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/P1120197-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nClose-before the Saltney Footbridge it shallows on the Left, so set up before on the Right.<\/p>\n
After Saltney Footbridge things get a little trickier. There are two 45-degree bends; the waves feed unhelpfully on both corners. The Left (N) bank is shallow and feeds. On the Right (S) bank it is deeper but faster and flatter. Right to Right-of-centre gives the better option, but nothing is easy here. Beyond the bends, on the final straight, the wave pattern can become confused and fade and re-form a number of times. Take what you can get \u2013 Right bank is probably better.<\/p>\n
Later, just before the 90-degree bend at The Cop, the wave may reform for its final hurrah., a 2-3ft steep green wave. You\u2019ve done well if you\u2019ve made it this far.
\nNow the flow will take you to Chester if you desire, however the wave is effectively done. It\u2019s a pleasant paddle, but adds distance to the return journey, if you are paddling back to a get-out. Beware of the weir and fish-ladder in Chester – both can be dangerous at certain river levels\/parts of the tide.<\/p>\n
Hazards<\/h6>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.performanceseakayak.co.uk\/Archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/P1120170-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a>The Airbus Loading Ramp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSoft mud – like many tidal estuaries\/rivers there can be copious amounts of soft mud and silt. Beware! Get caught in this as the water levels are about to rise and your future is limited.<\/p>\n
Be aware of riding a full-width broken wave – unlike ‘the soup’ on a beach this wave can stay broken for a prolonged time without diminishing. Bongo here on a larger day and you may just find out how long you can ‘side-surf’ for before it ends dramatically.<\/p>\n
A derelict wooden wharf\/pier on the Left bank between Railway Bridge and the Jubilee Bridge.
\nA couple of derelict wooden wharves\/piers on the Right bank upriver of the A494 dual-carriageway bridge.<\/p>\n
The Airbus loading ramp \u2013 about 2\/3rd way along, on the Right (S) bank – marked by a series of large metal stanchions a few metres from the bank. Craft maybe moored\/beached here.<\/p>\n
Large pieces of detritus and rubbish will be lifted from the river banks, and even the river bed \u2013 beware throughout.<\/p>\n
Long stretches of both banks are littered with sharp rocks along the water’s edge. Hit these at Bore Speed (especially if you are swimming or upside down) and there is a good chance of significant injuries! BEWARE!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.performanceseakayak.co.uk\/Archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/P1120191-1-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a>Courtesy…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBe aware of other wave riders \u2013 sea-kayak bongo-sliders are rarely welcome.<\/p>\n
Danglers possible by the Saltney Footbridge \u2013 usually East bank.<\/p>\n
Tides and Timings<\/h6>\n
The Dee Bore wave tends to reach the Railway Bridge\/Blue Bridge about High Water Liverpool -1:50 \/ -1:40 \u2013 but timings are approx.<\/p>\n
The best waves come from 9.5m tides up, but may be useable below that. Expect more white-water on 10.0m tides and up.<\/p>\n
Lower river levels on the whole seem to give more broken and steeper waves, but atmospheric pressure, wind direction and speed also have a significant effect. The river levels can be found online via the monitoring station at Farndon.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.performanceseakayak.co.uk\/Archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/P1120201-1-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nRiver Levels<\/h6>\n
River levels can have a significant effect on the bore wave – if the levels are high then the wave will tend to wash-out, if they are low then the wave will be full-width-white for much of the way and tend to feed towards the banks.<\/p>\n
If you are paddling a ruddered long-boat such as the Taran then the lower levels can be a bit of a handful for a long ride. Bottom-drag becomes significant and makes it difficult to keep ahead of the wave and so the stern becomes light, combine that with the feeding characteristics and you find you need to work to keep it all together – don’t be surprised by a few more bongos than usual!<\/p>\n
On the up-side if you are in a short boat then the lower levels make for a prolonged ride on in the slow soup, you don’t have to worry so much about being out run by the wave.<\/span><\/p>\nI use the gauge at Farndon to measure the levels and find <5m as low for the longer runs.<\/p>\n
Dee Gauge – Farndon<\/a><\/p>\nTips:<\/h6>\n
Don\u2019t be late \u2013 once it\u2019s gone it\u2019s gone!<\/p>\n
Use a fast boat \u2013 you\u2019ve got a better chance of getting back on or catching a second wave. A short boat works better in the soup and on the steeper waves, but you may suffer from lack of speed when you most need it.<\/p>\n
You are likely to get muddy or even may need to seal-launch to get in. Bring something to clean your footwear perhaps?<\/p>\n
Keep the boat straight if you want a long ride \u2013 if you want to ride the front wave it\u2019s likely a one shot affair \u2013 have a broach and the day\u2019s probably done.<\/p>\n
If you do find yourself in a \u2018bongo\u2019, be patient and wait until things are ready, then quickly push the bow back upriver. Stay away from the shoulder, or the bow is likely to \u2018peel\u2019 downriver, then the bore will continue without you.<\/p>\n
However if you do drop off the front wave, all is not necessarily lost \u2013 but you will have to react quickly. Don\u2019t let the boat turn downriver. There are secondary waves that surf fine, grab one quickly.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.performanceseakayak.co.uk\/Archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/P1120107-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a>Even 4th wave will do…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.performanceseakayak.co.uk\/Archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/P1120133-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a>Beware The Bongo!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIf you want to try to get back on the front-wave, then head quickly to the nearest bank and use the slacker water to work your way back up. It is possible but may involve long, hard-work to get there. At times it can get a little claustrophobic close to the \u2018fast-moving\u2019 bank. Get it wrong and a nasty ride over the rocks may ensue – be careful!<\/p>\n
Whenever the wave starts to fade you need to paddle hard \u2013 as the water depth increases the wave height will decrease and speed up \u2013 you need to pull hard now, if not, you will watch it reform ahead of you.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.performanceseakayak.co.uk\/Archive\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/P1110476-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a>There are 3 options really:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Saltney Footbridge \u2013 (SJ 370, 655)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Easy parking in a small car park on Ferry Lane, N bank.
\nFairly easy get on (N) bank- maybe a little muddy. Sometimes danglers are to be found here.
\nDownside: you have a 3.5 mile paddle to meet the wave \u2013 making timing a little trickier.
\nUpside: you will have a fairly short paddle and easy-ish get out at the end. You may have to wait for the water level to rise a little.<\/p>\nAlternatively there is a small rough-ground car park on the S bank NE of Saltney, on the corner of the B5129 by the bridge. This gives access to the muddy riverbank.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Jubilee Bridge (\u2018Blue-Bridge\u2019\u00a0 – \u2018Old Bridge\u2019) at Queensferry \u2013 (SJ 321, 686)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Limited parking.
\nAccess to the river bank is easy (S bank) but access to the water is tricky \u2013 there is plenty of mud here. (Don\u2019t get stuck with the Bore coming in!)
\nDownside: long paddle back or shuttle from Saltney (or alternative get-out).
\nUpside: you are only a few hundred metres from catching the wave \u2013 timing is easier.<\/p>\n- \n
- Connah\u2019s Quay Slipway \u2013 (SJ 295,698)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Easy parking.
\nThere is a slipway to access the water but it can have a copious coating of mud.
\nDownside: Even longer way to paddle back \u2013 a shuttle or alternative get-out is required again. Don\u2019t get fooled by the wave forming before the Railway Bridge \u2013 there\u2019s a good chance it will fade just before the Jubilee Bridge , and again at the A494 Bridge. (See later.)
\nUpside: close to the \u2018start\u2019 and gives the longest ride.<\/p>\nThere are alternative get-outs at:
\nThe Cop (SJ 396,666) – For those who stay with the bore until the bitter end. Limited parking. You either have some undergrowth to contend with here or have to wait for the water levels to rise for a time. I’ve used this get-out a number of times.<\/p>\nThere is access to the river bank S of the ‘Old Dee Bridge’, close to the Chester Rockdragon. Parking is limited to residential street parking in the area.<\/p>\n
Get Out<\/h6>\n
Your options are basically your get-on locations \u2013 Saltney Footbridge, Queensferry or Connah\u2019s Quay \u2013 wait for the tide to ebb before slogging back.<\/p>\n
There is a sneaky get-out option at the 90-degree bend at The Cop (SJ 396,666) – for those who stay with the bore until the bitter end. However you may have to wait for the water levels to rise to egress, and it may be overgrown in the summer. Car parking is limited to a small section of rough ground.<\/p>\n
Alternatively, with the luxury of a shuttle or a driver, you may want to continue into Chester.
\nThere is access to the river bank S of the ‘Old Dee Bridge’, close to the Chester Rockdragon. Parking is limited to residential street parking in the area.\u00a0 There is also an option to get-out in the car park at Sandy Lane – but ONLY if the weir is safe to paddle over.<\/p>\nPersonally I get out at one of the 3 get-ins, Saltney is probably the most-straightforward.<\/p>\n
Catching the Wave<\/h6>\n
A broken full-width wave has formed as it rounds the corner on the way out of Connah\u2019s Quay. But as the river deepens near the Railway Bridge it may fade, to reform short of the Jubilee Bridge. Soon there is a sneaky-fade, just before it reaches the A494 dual-carriageway bridge, where it finally reforms, to then stay the distance.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Catching The Wave<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>Racing the Fade – A494 Bridge Sprint<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n I think it is best to catch the wave about half-way between the Jubilee Bridge and the Railway Bridge \u2013 however be aware of that false-reform and sneaky-fade before the A494 dual-carriageway bridge. A sprint is required here \u2013 I prefer the eddy tight on the Left (N) bank. The Right (S) will do too, the fade is shorter on this side, but it can be shallow and a little rocky.<\/p>\n
Running the Wave<\/h6>\n
If the conditions are good then the wave will run all the way to Saltney Footbridge, and beyond. It will fade and form as it goes, anything between full-width green, part-broken and full-width broken. In the early stages after Queensferry you may get 3ft+. As you move further upriver then the wave height will generally decrease to 2-3ft by Saltney.<\/p>\n
Keep your wits about you and be prepared to move across river to catch the best wave. Daydream and you will get caught out.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Looking Around<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a><\/p>\nClose-before the Saltney Footbridge it shallows on the Left, so set up before on the Right.<\/p>\n
After Saltney Footbridge things get a little trickier. There are two 45-degree bends; the waves feed unhelpfully on both corners. The Left (N) bank is shallow and feeds. On the Right (S) bank it is deeper but faster and flatter. Right to Right-of-centre gives the better option, but nothing is easy here. Beyond the bends, on the final straight, the wave pattern can become confused and fade and re-form a number of times. Take what you can get \u2013 Right bank is probably better.<\/p>\n
Later, just before the 90-degree bend at The Cop, the wave may reform for its final hurrah., a 2-3ft steep green wave. You\u2019ve done well if you\u2019ve made it this far.
\nNow the flow will take you to Chester if you desire, however the wave is effectively done. It\u2019s a pleasant paddle, but adds distance to the return journey, if you are paddling back to a get-out. Beware of the weir and fish-ladder in Chester – both can be dangerous at certain river levels\/parts of the tide.<\/p>\nHazards<\/h6>\n
<\/a>The Airbus Loading Ramp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Soft mud – like many tidal estuaries\/rivers there can be copious amounts of soft mud and silt. Beware! Get caught in this as the water levels are about to rise and your future is limited.<\/p>\n
Be aware of riding a full-width broken wave – unlike ‘the soup’ on a beach this wave can stay broken for a prolonged time without diminishing. Bongo here on a larger day and you may just find out how long you can ‘side-surf’ for before it ends dramatically.<\/p>\n
A derelict wooden wharf\/pier on the Left bank between Railway Bridge and the Jubilee Bridge.
\nA couple of derelict wooden wharves\/piers on the Right bank upriver of the A494 dual-carriageway bridge.<\/p>\nThe Airbus loading ramp \u2013 about 2\/3rd way along, on the Right (S) bank – marked by a series of large metal stanchions a few metres from the bank. Craft maybe moored\/beached here.<\/p>\n
Large pieces of detritus and rubbish will be lifted from the river banks, and even the river bed \u2013 beware throughout.<\/p>\n
Long stretches of both banks are littered with sharp rocks along the water’s edge. Hit these at Bore Speed (especially if you are swimming or upside down) and there is a good chance of significant injuries! BEWARE!<\/p>\n
<\/a>Courtesy…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Be aware of other wave riders \u2013 sea-kayak bongo-sliders are rarely welcome.<\/p>\n
Danglers possible by the Saltney Footbridge \u2013 usually East bank.<\/p>\n
Tides and Timings<\/h6>\n
The Dee Bore wave tends to reach the Railway Bridge\/Blue Bridge about High Water Liverpool -1:50 \/ -1:40 \u2013 but timings are approx.<\/p>\n
The best waves come from 9.5m tides up, but may be useable below that. Expect more white-water on 10.0m tides and up.<\/p>\n
Lower river levels on the whole seem to give more broken and steeper waves, but atmospheric pressure, wind direction and speed also have a significant effect. The river levels can be found online via the monitoring station at Farndon.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nRiver Levels<\/h6>\n
River levels can have a significant effect on the bore wave – if the levels are high then the wave will tend to wash-out, if they are low then the wave will be full-width-white for much of the way and tend to feed towards the banks.<\/p>\n
If you are paddling a ruddered long-boat such as the Taran then the lower levels can be a bit of a handful for a long ride. Bottom-drag becomes significant and makes it difficult to keep ahead of the wave and so the stern becomes light, combine that with the feeding characteristics and you find you need to work to keep it all together – don’t be surprised by a few more bongos than usual!<\/p>\n
On the up-side if you are in a short boat then the lower levels make for a prolonged ride on in the slow soup, you don’t have to worry so much about being out run by the wave.<\/span><\/p>\n
I use the gauge at Farndon to measure the levels and find <5m as low for the longer runs.<\/p>\n
Dee Gauge – Farndon<\/a><\/p>\n
Tips:<\/h6>\n
Don\u2019t be late \u2013 once it\u2019s gone it\u2019s gone!<\/p>\n
Use a fast boat \u2013 you\u2019ve got a better chance of getting back on or catching a second wave. A short boat works better in the soup and on the steeper waves, but you may suffer from lack of speed when you most need it.<\/p>\n
You are likely to get muddy or even may need to seal-launch to get in. Bring something to clean your footwear perhaps?<\/p>\n
Keep the boat straight if you want a long ride \u2013 if you want to ride the front wave it\u2019s likely a one shot affair \u2013 have a broach and the day\u2019s probably done.<\/p>\n
If you do find yourself in a \u2018bongo\u2019, be patient and wait until things are ready, then quickly push the bow back upriver. Stay away from the shoulder, or the bow is likely to \u2018peel\u2019 downriver, then the bore will continue without you.<\/p>\n
However if you do drop off the front wave, all is not necessarily lost \u2013 but you will have to react quickly. Don\u2019t let the boat turn downriver. There are secondary waves that surf fine, grab one quickly.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Even 4th wave will do…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>Beware The Bongo!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n If you want to try to get back on the front-wave, then head quickly to the nearest bank and use the slacker water to work your way back up. It is possible but may involve long, hard-work to get there. At times it can get a little claustrophobic close to the \u2018fast-moving\u2019 bank. Get it wrong and a nasty ride over the rocks may ensue – be careful!<\/p>\n
Whenever the wave starts to fade you need to paddle hard \u2013 as the water depth increases the wave height will decrease and speed up \u2013 you need to pull hard now, if not, you will watch it reform ahead of you.<\/p>\n
- Connah\u2019s Quay Slipway \u2013 (SJ 295,698)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Jubilee Bridge (\u2018Blue-Bridge\u2019\u00a0 – \u2018Old Bridge\u2019) at Queensferry \u2013 (SJ 321, 686)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n