THE prospect of a better year for watching and riding the Severn bore is being forecast. There is a predition of an elusive 'five star' tide in March.

Following a year in which the bore frequently failed to match expectations, Stuart Ballard, secretary of the Severn Boreriders Club, said it was hoped 2010 would compensate by producing better waves.

"For good bores at Newnham everything depends on the formation of the sandbanks. Last year there were good runs up to the town but very rarely a bore worth the name at Broadoak. Riders did enjoy some better runs in the upper reaches," he said.

However there was an increased expectation for 2010.

"Unlike last year there are predictions of much bigger tides. The forecast is for at least a dozen four star bores and there is one five star prediction for March 2," said Stuart.

He said he had not heard of any top surfers who were planning attempts to break the distance record.

"That's not to say there will not be. Generally it is a spur-of-the-moment decision. If the conditions are right there are sure to be some top riders who will take a tilt at the record," he said.

There are plenty of three star forecasts to satisfy bore watchers who know that these can frequently produce better bores than the bigger tides.

The following predictions are for Newnham. Add on an hour for Minsterworth Church.

January 31: 0736 and 2004 (three stars).

February 1 0821 (four stars); February 1 2047 (three stars); February 2 0903 (four stars); February 2 2126 (three stars); February 3 0941 (three stars).

March 1 0720 and 1946 (four stars); March 2 0802 (five stars); February 2 2026 (four stars); March 3 0842 (four stars); 2102 (three stars); March 4 0917 (three stars); March 31 0839 (four stars).