“Now, Victoria, you will need to change your white t-shirt into a dark one and put some runners on, because you will get wet,” said Heather, one of the organizers of our tidal bore rafting adventure in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia.

“Really, that wet?” I exclaimed in disbelief, as I reluctantly tore my suitcase apart to make my costume change.  Fast-forward to an hour later…

Crashing into endless rolling waves that were almost two feet high, we were in the epicenter of the bore in the stormy, salty and muddy waters of the Shubenacadie River. 

I’m sitting on the edge of a raft called the Zodiac, hanging on to dear life. I couldn’t even see Carolyne’s soaked body in front of me, but knew she was alright after I heard her screeching with happiness.

We both got smacked by the waves rolling over the Zodiac, swallowing at least a large bucket worth of the coffee-coloured aqua. We were drenched from head-to-toe within 10 seconds of the first round, and we were gearing up for the next.

“Hold on tight guys, the boat will be completely filled with water, up to our waist,” said Graeme Mahoney, our man-of-the-hour, aka bore guide, who comes with experience (he lived in Whistler for 6 years and worked as a ski guide and a rafting guide).  We were in good hands.

“Do you want to go again?” said Graham.  “Let’s do it, this is going to be rough.” The motor from the Zodiac could hardly disguise the loud laughter of the more than three dozen “bore” enthusiasts that was echoing off the sandbanks.

Bump, bump, water is in, screams, screams, laughing, spitting out the water, huge swell of water dumps into boat.  Repeat everything I’ve just said three or four times.
 
At this point, Carolyne is now sitting at the bottom of the boat, grinning with an anxious smile while she tries to bring herself up to sit on the side of the Zodiac once again. The waves are beating us up, giving us another left uppercut and then a right one.

“Do you want to go for a swim with the current?” asked Graham. “ Go for it, you’ll be safe.”  So I did. 

Now, geared-up in my black leggings, a black tank and runners, I’m FLOATING DOWN the river, in the river and the current is moving me at a swift pace of 20 km per hour. River is below me, around me, over top of me, rushing me along.

Sandbanks to my left and right, bald eagles soaring above fossilized limestone formations that look like human faces (Anthony’s Nose to be exact), and a blue-sky made me very happy.  Only a warm mudslide could’ve made my perfect day even better.  So I slipped, and I did slide my body into a giant pool of soft, wet and mushy mud.  I even managed to get Carolyne a little messy, not that she needed help.

Sprawled out, embedded in a mud bath somewhere in Nova Scotia, I didn't want to be anywhere else.  And that is unusual for me.  I had one of the most adventurous days of my life today.  I was in my element.

Fast Facts:

A tidal bore is essentially a tide that forms a wave, and that wave travels up a river or narrow bay against the direction of the current.  When one tide (low) collides with the other tide coming in (higher) there is a lot of pressure created.  The biggest waves at the park can get up to 10 feet.

Tidal Bore Rafting and Rafters Ridge Cottages are celebrating their 25th anniversary in business.  The park is about an hour drive from Halifax, a sanctuary for those with a need for adventure.  You can take the two-hour tour that I took, or go for the longer, four-hour tour.  We heard booking a group cottage is a must-try.