Video of Tidal Bore Festival in Sri Aman

A tidal bore is a tidal phenomenon in which the leading edge of the incoming tide forms a wave (or waves) of water that travels up a river. Benak is a local term in Sarawak Malaysia used to describe Tidal Bore. However, Benak here is not to be confused with the term used in another part of the country in which the term "Benak" is used to describe someone who is retarded. 


If you would like to see how the people in Sri Aman entertain themselves during the Pesta Benak or Tidal Bore Festival, please watch the following video. During Pesta Benak, people from throughout the state come to Sri Aman. Almost ever year now, tidal bore surfers from other countries are invited to ride the tidal bores.


The Pesta Benak is held annually in Sri Aman and this year the festival is held from 6 April until 8 April 2012. This is the time during the year the Sri Aman town in jam packed with cars and people. 

Tidal Bore in Sri Aman

Btg. Lupar river in Sri Aman is famous for its tidal bore. Tidal bore is a form of tidal waves occur twice daily usually one in the morning and another in the afternoon. The size of the tidal waves varies throughout the month depending on the water level and also the position of the moon.

At certain time of the month, the tidal bore can get very large and the sight is so amazing. However, the recent tidal bore in Sri Aman is not that big as shown in the photos below. All boats must stay away from the river bank when the tidal bore arrives in order to prevent their boat from any damage.

Since the operation of the upstream hydroelectric dam, the size of the tidal bore is becoming smaller. Prior to that, the size of the tidal bore is so significant that the river bank of Btg Lupar river can easily eroded and cause significant loss to the community.

Tidal Bore

Watching this video still amazed me about the power of tidal bore. The water current can be utilized to produce renewal energy to power up nearby villages thus helping to reduce global warming effect.

Tidal Bore

Tidal bore is a natural phenomenon at Bt Lupar or Lupar River in Sri Aman. Tidal bore occurs due to the rapid rise in water level during the tide. During certain time of the year, the tidal bore is very huge and during that time boat regatta were usually being held annually.

Tidal bore occurs twice a day. Last weekend, the tidal bore occurred at 5 pm in the afternoon and at 8 am in the morning where the following pictures were taken.

As a result of the constant pounding of the tidal bores, the riverbank erosion is a unique problem that need to be tackled by the local authorities. Most of the structures built along the riverbank unless the foundation is solid rock are being eroded into the river.

The following picture shows the approaching tidal bore.

In order to prevent their boat from being damaged by the tidal bore, the boat owner will prefer to have the tidal bore ride as shown in the following picture. Small boat or ships also will have to move away from the wharf in order not to damage the structure during the tidal bore.


The following picture shows the magnitude of the tidal bore along the river bank.
The following picture shows the secondary waves generated from the tidal bore.

Another view of the tidal bore.


The following picture shows tidal bore in action.

Series of waves generated from the tidal bore.

Series of waves created by the tidal bore.

Ships will wait for the high tide before they could sail to the upper stream of the river.

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