I'm Ben a surfer and shaper from Bristol UK. I have a particular and somewhat different interest, I surf rivers on tidal bores! To date I've surfed 10 of the UK rivers and constantly on the hunt for the next one.

I'll never run a marathon, I only run after bores! So I thought lets do something novel, meaningful and surf a marathon for charity. Not on the Severn Bore which I know like the back of my hand but on a number of new rivers... across the Atlantic on the Bay of Fundy in Canada!!!

To name a few rivers...... The Petitecodiac - The Salmon - The Schubenacadie

Of course this won't be over one tide or a day, I have a window in May of just over a week. Tidal bores don't break continuously so are only surfable in sections.. My longest ride to date is 5miles, but anything in that region is rare, I regularly surf 2miles+ but this is on the familiar Severn! Over a set of tides I think I've managed 12-13miles in total? That amount of surfing, paddling and negotiating rivers over a few days is totally exhausting, so this gives you some idea of the extreme challenge and goal I've set myself.
At least I'll have the biggest tidal range in the world on my side!

I've built a board especially for the trip to up my chances of surfing the tiniest of a ripple to the gnarliest tidal wave.

With your support I'll be raising money for 3 amazing charities that are close to my heart that help, protect and preserve. Supporting the ocean, the land and the vulnerable.
Surfers Against Sewage, World Land Trust and The Butterfly Garden - details below.

Please donate what you can and wish me the best of luck!

I feel I can do it but whether the rivers will let me is the question ???

Follow my progress on:
https://www.facebook.com/LeafLongboards
https://www.instagram.com/leaf_surfboards/

- Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is a marine conservation charity working with communities to protect oceans, waves, beaches and marine life. It was created in 1990 by a group of Cornish surfers from the villages of St Agnes and Porthtowan on the north coast of Cornwall. SAS campaigns for both the UK's coastal environment and the health of all surfers and other recreational waters users. Recently, SAS has expanded its remit into the protection of the wave resource and surfing spots through the Protect Our Waves (POW) campaign. Since 1990, SAS has secured a multitude of campaign successes on behalf of all water users.

- World Land Trust (WLT) is an international conservation charity that protects the world’s most
biologically significant and threatened habitats. Working through a network of partner organisations around the world, WLT funds the creation of reserves and provides permanent protection for habitats and wildlife. Partnerships are developed with established and highly respected local organisations who engage support and commitment among the local community.

- The Butterfly Garden (Cheltenham) is an educational, therapeutic and recreational scheme, based initially on gardening, but now offering so much more. It is a project for people of all ages dealing with disablement of any kind. It caters for those looking to escape the world, those looking to re-enter it and some, who are still just looking. Its doors are open to anyone without obligation.