Kayaking and canoeing on the River Thames

Last updated • a couple of secsFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

Kayaker by the Boulter's Weir flume during the summer Boultersjuly06kayaker.jpg
Kayaker by the Boulter's Weir flume during the summer

The River Thames in England is a very popular river for kayakers and canoeists, [1] [2] and is home to several canoe clubs, including the Royal Canoe Club which is the oldest canoe club in the world.

Contents

The tidal section is used by sea kayakers and experienced tourers. [3] Above Teddington Lock in London the Thames is freshwater, with levels controlled by a series of weirs which are managed by the Environment Agency.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">River Thames</span> River in southern England

The River Thames, known alternatively in parts as the River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At 215 miles (346 km), it is the longest river entirely in England and the second-longest in the United Kingdom, after the River Severn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitewater</span> Turbulent and aerated water

Whitewater forms in the context of rapids, in particular, when a river's gradient changes enough to generate so much turbulence that air is trapped within the water. This forms an unstable current that froths, making the water appear opaque and white.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canoeing</span> Activity of paddling a canoe

Canoeing is an activity which involves paddling a canoe with a single-bladed paddle. In some parts of Europe, canoeing refers to both canoeing and kayaking, with a canoe being called an 'open canoe' or Canadian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whitewater kayaking</span> Type of water sport

Whitewater kayaking is an outdoor adventure sport where paddlers navigate a river in a specially designed kayak. Whitewater kayaking includes several styles: river running, creeking, slalom, playboating, and squirt boating. Each style offers a different way to experience the thrill and beauty of whitewater environments. Various techniques help paddlers navigate rivers, such as paddle strokes, rolling, and boofing. Whitewater kayaking requires a lot of essential equipment to make a “kayaking kit,” such as a whitewater-specific kayak, spray skirt, paddle, helmet, and PFD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Locks and weirs on the River Thames</span>

The English River Thames is navigable from Cricklade or Lechlade to the sea, and this part of the river falls 71 meters (234 feet). There are 45 locks on the river, each with one or more adjacent weirs. These lock and weir combinations are used for controlling the flow of water down the river, most notably when there is a risk of flooding, and provide for navigation above the tideway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teddington Lock</span> Series of locks on the River Thames in London

Teddington Lock is a complex of three locks and a weir on the River Thames between Ham and Teddington in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, England. Historically in Middlesex, it was first built in 1810.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon</span> Marathon canoe race in England

The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon is a marathon canoe race in England. The race is held every Easter over a course of 125 miles (201 km) from Devizes in Wiltshire to Westminster in central London. It has been run since 1948. Starting at Devizes wharf, the route follows the Kennet and Avon canal for 54 miles to Reading, where it joins the Thames. Another 54 miles later it reaches Teddington Lock, ending 17 miles later at Westminster Bridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holme Pierrepont National Watersports Centre</span> Sports venue near Nottingham, England

Holme Pierrepont Country Park, home of The National Water Sports Centre is located in the hamlet of Holme Pierrepont near Nottingham, England and on the River Trent. It is used for many differen sports and has received investment which has enabled a major refurbishment of existing facilities as well as introduction of new facilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canoe freestyle</span> Discipline of whitewater kayaking or canoeing

Canoe freestyle is a discipline of whitewater kayaking or canoeing where people perform various technical moves in one place, as opposed to downriver whitewater canoeing or kayaking where the objective is to travel the length of a section of river. Specialised canoes or kayaks (boats) known as playboats are often used, but any boat can be used for playing. The moves and tricks are often similar to those performed by snowboarders, surfers or skaters, where the athlete completes spins, flips, turns, etc. With modern playboats it is possible to get the kayak and the paddler completely airborne while performing tricks. The competitive side of playboating is known as freestyle kayaking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Artificial whitewater</span> Artificially created water sports venue

An artificial whitewater course is a site for whitewater canoeing, whitewater kayaking, whitewater racing, whitewater rafting, playboating and slalom canoeing with artificially generated rapids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boulter's Lock</span> Lock and weir on the River Thames, England

Boulter's Lock is a lock and weir on the River Thames in England north-east of Maidenhead town centre, Berkshire. The present 1912-built lock replaces those at this point of the river to the immediate east dating from the late 16th century and that of 1772 built by the Thames Navigation Commission. The lock is on the western side of the north–south flowing reach between the A4094 Maidenhead to Cookham road and Ray Mill Island. The name is variably used for the immediate surrounding area.

Canoe Wales is the national governing body for paddlesport in Wales. It covers all branches of the sport from recreational canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and rafting to whitewater racing, slalom racing and wildwater racing; flatwater sprint racing and marathon racing; canoe sailing; canoe polo; surf kayaking and canoeing; and extreme racing. The organisation has over 2,700 members including individual paddlers as well as affiliated club members. Full adult members of Canoe Wales are also by default Welsh members of Paddle UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hertford Castle Weir</span> Weir on the River Lea in Hertfordshire, England

Hertford Castle Weir is a weir located in Hertford near to Hertford Castle and next to Hertford Theatre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molesey Lock</span> Lock on the River Thames in Surrey, England

Molesey Lock is a lock on the River Thames in England at East Molesey, Surrey on the right bank.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunbury Lock</span> Lock on the River Thames in Surrey, England

Sunbury Lock is a lock complex of the River Thames in England near Walton-on-Thames in north-west Surrey, the third lowest of forty four on the non-tidal reaches. The complex adjoins the right, southern bank about 12 mile (0.80 km) downstream of the Weir Hotel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hurley Lock</span> Lock and weir on the River Thames in England

Hurley Lock is a lock and weir on the River Thames in England, situated in a clump of wooded islands close to the village of Hurley, Berkshire. The lock was first built by the Thames Navigation Commissioners in 1773.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Playspot</span> Favorable location for kayaking

In kayaking, a playspot is a place where there are favorable stationary features on rivers, in particular standing waves, 'holes' and 'stoppers', where water flows back on itself creating a retentive feature, or eddy lines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walbrook Rowing Club</span>

Walbrook Rowing Club, colloquially sometimes named Teddington Rowing Club, is a rowing club, on the River Thames in England on the Middlesex bank 800 metres above Teddington Lock next to Trowlock Island, Teddington. It is the lowest club on the weir-controlled Thames and is the organising club for Teddington Head of the River Race held in November for all classes of racing shells.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of canoeing and kayaking</span> Overview of and topical guide to canoeing and kayaking

Canoeing – recreational boating activity or paddle sport in which you kneel or sit facing forward in an open or closed-decked canoe, and propel yourself with a single-bladed paddle, under your own power.

Canoeing and kayaking in India has become a popular sport. The Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association (IKCA) is the governing body of the sport in India.

References

  1. rusty. "Canoeing and Kayaking on the tidal Thames". Canoe London. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  2. Mooring, Thames Visitor. "Canoeing and kayaking on the Thames". Thames Visitor Moorings. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  3. "Canoeing The Length of The Thames | Adventure Close To London". Achievable Adventure. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2024.