Canoeing The Thames................

Mark Elvin

Whilst down the pub last night me and a friend were trying to figure out something enjoyable to do in aid of Help For Heros, we decided on a Kayak trip along the navigable section of the River Thames, overnight stops to be at campsites as near to the river as possible.

Now whilst no quite as epic as the Helen Skelton Amazon canoe trip (and our breasts aren't as nice either) we figured this would be enough of a challenge to be worthwhile (neither of us have ever set foot in a kayak, this mini adventure will take place during easter next year.

cougie

A bit like this ? http://www.dwrace.org.uk/ This starts off on a canal and ends up on the Thames.

Its no mean undertaking - good luck to you !

Peasoup

A mate of mine and myself did this a couple of years ago, in a 2 man kayak, to get down to the start of London marathon
Started the paddle at Lechlade and canoed to Teddington lock (the river is tidal south of here) and took 4 1/2 days.
We did same and carried tents etc. there are plenty of sites along the way, from memory ours included Pinkhill lock, Benson, Henley and Chertsey. We got all of these discounted when we explained we were raising money for CF Trust.

You'll need a waterways license for the Thames (not too expensive), especially if you intend to use the locks. We intended to portage but got lazy... no real time penalty upstream but the larger locks around Windsor can take a while.

Good crack though, so enjoy.

NGale

nice idea but details! what kayaks are you using, how are you going to carry gear if the kayaks don't have stowage points (and if you arn't using an open canoe) can you both swim, do you have at least a basic proficency in kayaking...details details!

I would seriously advise that you both go off and get a BCU 1 star in kayaking so you can be both confident and safe, also get some water sense, it isn't just a case of chucking a kayak on the water and paddling, you need to know the 'rules of the road' for the sections you will be paddling on. Also invest in a good bouyance aid, not only will it be comfortable it may well save your life.

Good luck!

el_presidente

don't get distracted if Hurley is on 4 gates

Mark Elvin

NGale wrote:

nice idea but details! what kayaks are you using, how are you going to carry gear if the kayaks don't have stowage points (and if you arn't using an open canoe) can you both swim, do you have at least a basic proficency in kayaking...details details!
Good luck!

We are sourcing some GRP 13ft ones from Ebay, gear will be stored on deck, using shock cord, carrying the minimum that is practical, details will be sorted when we have the craft.

I have never set foot in a kayak, bet we are going to go & take some lessons so we don't end up killing ourselves.

_Brun_

NGale wrote:

Also invest in a good bouyance aid, not only will it be comfortable it may well save your life.

Only three posts in and someone's already trying to kick off the buoyancy aid debate.

:roll:

Mark Elvin

el_presidente wrote:

don't get distracted if Hurley is on 4 gates

????????

el_presidente

Mark Elvin wrote:

el_presidente wrote:

don't get distracted if Hurley is on 4 gates

????????

check out Hurley Weir on youtube

Mark Elvin

el_presidente wrote:

Mark Elvin wrote:

el_presidente wrote:

don't get distracted if Hurley is on 4 gates

????????

check out Hurley Weir on youtube

We'll be walking that section.

I was hoping it was something to do with Liz Hurley

NGale

Mark Elvin wrote:

NGale wrote:

nice idea but details! what kayaks are you using, how are you going to carry gear if the kayaks don't have stowage points (and if you arn't using an open canoe) can you both swim, do you have at least a basic proficency in kayaking...details details!
Good luck!

We are sourcing some GRP 13ft ones from Ebay, gear will be stored on deck, using shock cord, carrying the minimum that is practical, details will be sorted when we have the craft.

I have never set foot in a kayak, bet we are going to go & take some lessons so we don't end up killing ourselves.

If your going for a kayak remember that once you put kit on board you are changing the craft centre of bouyancy and the centre of gravity which could cause you a few issues so do be aware of that. With an open canoe those kinds of problems will be lesser because they are designed to carry different loads, you just have to trust the person your paddling with when it comes to an open set up.

BCU 1 star qualification can be done in a weekend and quite cheaply. It may be worth you finding a local Sea Cadet unit and speaking to their kayak instructor/assessor, they may well teach you what you need to know to be safe for a contribution towards the unit. With aiming to raise funds for H4H they may be more than willing to help and you might even get a couple willing to join in for a stage or two which would be good publicity.

Fireblade96

A friend and I canoed the Thames a few years back.
We did it in the summer, camping along the way. Although we were both kayakers we opted to take an open canoe, and that proved to be a great choice - comfortable, stable, room to move around, and lots of space for gear.
We started at Lechlade and spent a very leisurely week paddling back to Reading.
Most campsites along the way are convenient to local pubs :-)

If you join the BCU you'll get a sticker for your boat that permits its use on inland waterways (though I've never, ever been stopped and asked for proof...)

Shout if you want more details.

Mark Elvin

NGale wrote:

If your going for a kayak remember that once you put kit on board you are changing the craft centre of bouyancy and the centre of gravity which could cause you a few issues so do be aware of that.

Hopefully most of the gear will be "in" rather than "on" the kayak in fairness, we shouldn't heed much equipment for 3 night stay.

Small tent, sleeping bag, snacks, some clean (dry) clothes & washing gear. Was thinking that most of it would fit in one of the inflatable dry storage bags, this would double up as a comfy pillow at night.

I'm open to any advice.

cougie

I'd not rush the purchase of your canoe/kayak - its like buying a bike - it needs to be fit for your purpose and fit you.

And buoyancy aids sound essential with your lack of experience.

Mark Elvin

cougie wrote:

And buoyancy aids sound essential with your lack of experience.

Yep, wouldn't go afloat without one.

Fireblade96

Mark Elvin wrote:

cougie wrote:

And buoyancy aids sound essential with your lack of experience.

Yep, I wouldn't float without one.

Fixed that for you

NGale

Mark Elvin wrote:

NGale wrote:

If your going for a kayak remember that once you put kit on board you are changing the craft centre of bouyancy and the centre of gravity which could cause you a few issues so do be aware of that.

Hopefully most of the gear will be "in" rather than "on" the kayak in fairness, we shouldn't heed much equipment for 3 night stay.

Small tent, sleeping bag, snacks, some clean (dry) clothes & washing gear. Was thinking that most of it would fit in one of the inflatable dry storage bags, this would double up as a comfy pillow at night.

I'm open to any advice.

even if it's in the kayak you will need to take into slight account the changes in centre of bouyancy, although if you get a proper touring kayak that would have all been accounted for in the design and build of the product.

I see too many people ( with the local Maritime Volunteers) be rescued because they haven't made allowences in the kit they carry on the wrong type of kayak and made worse by the fact they have no kayaking experience at all.

essex-commuter

I done BCU 1 star and BCU 2 star last year, thoroughly recommend it. Also done a foundation course in safety and rescue, that was very good as well.

peat

Howdy,

I am a BCU 2* aswell. Definatley get some training in, It's good to have an idea what to do when the 'stuff hits the fan'.

A nice long touring kayak will make it a pleasant journey.

Good luck!

Mark Elvin

I'm thinking of a 13ft or similar.

ZippyBungleGeorge

Best of luck - I certainly imagine it'll be harder than you think!

Chrissz

Sounds like a good cack

Did my BCU Senior Instructor (open & closed water) many years ago as well as doing the D-W (twice) solo (bloody silly idea). I have also done a fair bit of kayaking on various foreign climes. My advice would be to try and get someone to act as support crew (in a car), to carry your kit, make the tea at breaks, help with porterage etc. so you can concentrate on paddling. As others have already mentioned - get the right kayak (sea or touring) and get some experience! Most of all, enjoy

itboffin

cougie wrote:

A bit like this ? http://www.dwrace.org.uk/ This starts off on a canal and ends up on the Thames.

Its no mean undertaking - good luck to you !

Yep that's a good one, starts off pretty much in the next village to me, I tried in vain a few years ago to get a team of SCR's to do the race but you know these London types ....!?

Ghey!!!

itboffin

NGale wrote:

I would seriously advise that you both go off and get a BCU 1 star in kayaking so you can be both confident and safe,

Pah I've been canoeing on and off for most of my adult life never did no exam thingies, but a few years ago on a "management" training course in Burton we did some white water (barely) rafting the instructor was banging on about his BCU / mad skillZ shame he couldnt stay in the raft - tool.

Was especially shameful when we switch to canoes, moral of the story only blow your trumpet if its a fecking big one

lost_in_thought

Don't stress about kayak buoyancy and all that stuff, you're not going to the arctic!

I have a P&H Scorpio, they're fab boats, and I can fit a small village in mine. Boats with stowage are designed for it to be full - they track better, they turn better, they perform better. The only thing to bear in mind is weight - the DW course has something like 75 portages and I can JUST lift my kayak fully loaded out of a river.... just. I came up with various sling and strap methods for lifting it.

I would suggest that you involve yourself with one of the London clubs - EDGE (edgepaddling.com) I happen to know have a fleet of really lovely sea kayaks that they might hire out to you for such a trip. They can also teach you for 1* (which is basically can you sit in a kayak and propel it? yes? OK pass) 2* (can you propel it backwards and sideways? Another qualification for you!) and FSRT which is the useful one.

Paddles - get touring ones. Don't listen to people who tell you to get river ones - they're for the same people who bang on about gates at hurley and like BMX-ing and doing skids on fixies or something. Also, your BA - get one that leaves your shoulders as free as possible, and one with a zipped front. DON'T get one you have to pull over your head. You won't be able to get it on/off at the end of a long day's paddling.

I did the DW (per link earlier) route last year, but a little after the event. Great fun, lovely route. Bring towels.

Fireblade96

I was going to suggest getting involved with a canoe club too - there's bound to be one local to you. I borrowed the open canoe I used from the club I'm a member of...

Also, there's no need to portage when paddling down the Thames - the operators are quite happy for you to use the locks, particularly if you've got a well-laden open canoe !

MichaelW

How close to the source can you canoe? Are you allowed to kayak upstream of Cricklade? I imagine that if we have had a wet winter, before the vegetation grows, you could get quite close and maybe drag your kayak from the source. Or use a folding canoe and carry it.

Is there anything like the kayak equivalent of an Audax bike, very light, sporty yet practical for flat-water paddling.

Fireblade96

MichaelW wrote:

How close to the source can you canoe? Are you allowed to kayak upstream of Cricklade? I imagine that if we have had a wet winter, before the vegetation grows, you could get quite close and maybe drag your kayak from the source. Or use a folding canoe and carry it.

Is there anything like the kayak equivalent of an Audax bike, very light, sporty yet practical for flat-water paddling.

I started my trip here:
http://www.secondchancetouring.co.uk/
which is right on the river - and also a convenient place to leave your car during your trip.
We then paddled upstream as far as we could go, which wasn't quite as far as Cricklade. Upstream of this the river was choked with fallen trees and assorted greenery. You could possibly get higher in winter or if you were willing to get out and push the boat through the undergrowth. We'd had a big dinner and a few pints and weren't inclined to exert ourselves any more *

It's worth noting that until you reach the first locks the upper Thames flows quite quickly and is rather winding - we had a few scrapes through the bushes, particularly for the person in the rear of the canoe !

*drinking and canoeing is silly and quite possibly dangerous. Take responsibility for your own actions, don't do what some eejit on the internet says you should do!

Mark Elvin

Thanks for the advivce thus far guys. Keep it coming, that campsite looks just the ticket for a stop the night before.

Have sourced a couple af cheap kayaks to get some practice/training on for a few beer tokens (really very cheap), they probably aren't right for the trip, but the sooner we get out ther on the water, the better prepared we'll be come the time. If we do find they are OK, we'll pop a coat of paint over them in the H4H colours.

NGale

I currently have a bright yellow Pippin kayak, the turning circle of a cargo ship but great for touring on rivers and estuaries. at 40 quid I couldn't really complain. It has also got me though my BCU 2 star and will be getting me through my 3 star in a couple weeks time.

Seeing as I'm 'built for comfort and not for speed' it's an idea kayak as I can get my arse in and out of it and don't have to worry about getting stuck if I capsize.

essex-commuter

lost_in_thought wrote:

Paddles - get touring ones. Don't listen to people who tell you to get river ones

Good advice. I went mad and treated myself to a Werner Ikelos, full carbon porn paddle