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Tidal race ortidal rapid is a natural occurrence whereby a fast-movingtide passes through a constriction, resulting in the formation ofwaves,eddies and hazardouscurrents. The constriction can be a passage where the sides narrow, for example theGulf of Corryvreckan and theSaltstraumenmaelstrom, or an underwater obstruction (areef or risingseabed), such as is found at thePortland Race in theUnited Kingdom.
In extreme cases, such asSkookumchuck Narrows inBritish Columbia, through which tides can travel at more than 17 knots (31 km/h), very largewhirlpools develop, which can be extremely hazardous to navigation.
