WHERE: Brentford Boating Arch, Kew Bridge: https://www.chelseakayakclub.co.uk/about-the-club/club-locations/
What3Words: Jelly.Probe.Cards
WHEN Sunday 2nd August 2026
Timings:
Meeting time : By 07.45 hrs
foreshore Briefing time : 08.30 hrs
On the Water (OTW): 08.45 hrs
Break at Battersea 10.45 hrs
Lunch Gabriels Wharf, Thames Beach at 12.15 – 13.15hrs
Return to Kew Bridge approx. 16. 45 hrs
Grade B- C. i.e Sea Kayak Award Sign off or operating at equivalent level.
As This trip maybe longer than you might have done before in that it is about 20km. You need to have fitness and stamina in a kayak, as well as be able to paddle at a reasonable speed for the whole of this distance. As there is potential jeopardy with a lot of other river traffic and changeable water conditions around the bridges it is important the paddler has a good paddling technique and instinctive skills for powering up and avoidance.
Also central London Thames has a lot of big boats moving around all the time so paddlers need to be good a keeping in a group and not straggling off in front or behind and happy to take the instructions from the Lead.
I will need to be quite strict as to whom I think are suitable or not to do this trip and if there is some doubt about your skills or fitness then a discussion might be needed about this to advise the person not to come on this occasion.
Quite often the outward journey is not the issue but the return journey getting back all the way to Kew can be where people start to fade!
Plan: Paddle for about 2 1/2 hours or possibly 3 hrs with breaks., from Kew downstream as far as The Oxo Tower near the South Bank, opposite Somerset House. . Stop have lunch about 12.15 hours, at Gabriels Wharf, (A busy place but cafes available there) & wait for tide to turn, relaunch 1.30pm to then return to Kew. We will stop for a rest part way. Planning to be back at Kew Bridge by 16. 45 hrs.
It should be a great day with lots to see as iconic buildings and history all along the way!
Please pack SUN Hat, water & snack; as needed pack a re-usable-cup too. Pack hand sanitiser with your snack/drink.
There are no easy places for toilets unless we use cafes, bars or restaurants toilets.
Please arrive at The Arches closest to the river, on the North East side of Kew Bridge. Please arrive on time, so we can have boats and kit ready and can be on the water at the scheduled start time.
If you are running late, or for other changes, please message (not email) the session leader at least an hour before. This is important as the trip may need to be cancelled if we go under the minimum group size.
TIDES:
LW London Bridge 11.40 hrs. Kew, 14.00 hrs
– see Admiralty Easy tide for further details.
LEADER: Liza
Please keep eye on forecast & adjust accordingly what you bring.
SIGN-UP:
Please sign-up by 16:00 on the day before the paddle, if you would like a place and will require use of boats and equipment. Please do not sign-up if you are not certain you can attend – because that takes a place away from others.
Max number of people on each session: Leader plus 6 others (perhaps adjusted depends on sign up)
Min is 3 people including leader.
Total Attendees: 3| # | Name |
|---|---|
| 1. | Jude P |
| 2. | Mike M |
| 3. | Emmanuel R |
PLEASE NOTE:
- These sessions are not suitable for people with no or limited paddling experience you must meet our minimum prerequisites please refer to Trip and Session Guidelines.
- Please make sure you read the Port of London Authority’s (PLA’s) Basic Principles of Navigation/Paddling on Upper Tideway (For more complete information see Paddling on the Tideway – A Code of Practice for Paddling on the Tidal Thames 2017 ). See also The River Thames Recreational Users Guide – Teddington to Sea Reach
Also useful for tides and events on the river see PLA Boating on the Thames page . - LIGHTS ARE REQUIRED WHEN PADDLING AFTER DARK. Please bring along your own waterproof torches if you have them, or place a white bike lights in two milk cartons and bring some string to attach them to the kayak.
- Follow any specific instructions that are given by the session leader, such as getting on the water and group management.
- Neoprene spray decks and BA/PFD’s are available.
- Please look after any kit that is borrowed – treat it with care and as if it is your own.
- Consider bringing a snack and bottle of water with you – especially in periods of warmer weather given the distances that are covered on the session.
- Even when in a group with an experienced paddler, everyone on the river is responsible for their own safety, keeping a look out and navigating in a correct manner to avoid collisions or causing a collision, etc.
- Failure to comply with PLA rules can result in you being fined £5,000.
