What is it?
Clifden is a tidal race that runs through two arches of a bridge and the second arch forms a lovely play hole.
Where is it?
Clifden hole is between Clifden town & Ballyconneely. Head for Clifden from Galway and follow the road into the town. Then, instead of turning right up market street, continue straight towards Ballyconneely. You’ll arrive at the bridge after 5-10 minutes.
The Feature:
Clifden hole is one of the most beautiful places to go playboating. It’s tidal so it’s saltwater. The feature works all year round and the water is quite warm in the summer months.
However Clifden only works on Spring Tides, the hole forms about 2 hours before Galway Harbour high tide. The tide must be 4.2m or higher to be any good. It works better around 4.9m.
The hole is pretty swashy at the start of the high tide but as the water gets higher on the other side of the bridge it gets more retentive and is good for all moves e.g cartwheels, blasts, splitwheels etc. This hole known to be towards boats,its easy to knock the nose off the walls – the arch is about 2.5m across – but can be avoided when you get used to it.
The hole usually lasts about 2.5 hours, so it’s a great place to go during the summer when all the rivers are dry.
If the tide is 5.2m or bigger a wave forms downstram of the first arch. Wait until the rock in the pool beside this wave is covered as it is quite shallow over here. The wave is only good for front surfing or the odd blunt or spin but give it a go and unleash the old school but watch the head!
