Hey all,
I may (or may not) be coming over to England for a couple of semesters next year. It looks like I will be primarily aound London, but with a couple of week long breaks for freedom. Is paddling a possibility? Don't know too much about british topography, H20 levels, rivers, etc.
I would not have the ability to bring any boats with me, so looks like I'll be bumming if I do come over. What is there around to paddle? Creeking? Playing?

if playing is ur thing then on the thames ur spoilt for choice, the weir at hurley, boulters weir to name just two. Get back on this site when u arrive to get directions n all.
If yuu want rivers then u'll be looking at further a field, devon in the south, lake district, wales and even scotland if u can get there. Our rivers arnt big volume like the u.s but of a good tecnical level.

well worth a visit

al

Let me know when you are here, happy to lend you a boat for an afternoons paddle at a spot. Bring a paddle with you as I am a lefty, unless you like a challange... There are people that will hire playboats but will get expensive quickly.

London has some great park n play spots, pretty much in the summer you will be limited to chertsey and boulters, (unless raining) make sure you are in the west of london as that is where it's at and makes life easier, there are loads of clubs around london that can lend you boats and you can bum lifts of people.

Chertsey and boulters in the summer are pour overs and winter when is pumps you get your waves, hurley probably being the best in the UK and about a 40min drive from london.

Check out www.wwtcc.com on the left you will see links to Weir Info

Let us know when you are over, I am sure we can sort something out for you, just bring your kit.

Never been there, but sunbury weir is near to london. From what ive seen, it looks pretty decent.

Sunbury decent? It's supercool! And so is shepperton (SICK), and so is hurley weir, and and and.. London is cool for playboating, there's at least 5 cool spots around it. There's ofcourse the nottingham course not too far away as well. The best thing is, that if the water is too high for one, another will be perfect.. very cool. Rivers are not close to london, but there's plenty of them in devon, lake distr, wales, scotland etc etc

You probably have heard of the site but www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk has a write up on most of the rivers in the UK. Also the most used kayaking forum in the UK, so ideal for meeting with UK boaters. I'm a London boy too, and the same applies, if you are in need of paddling buddies then give me or my club a shout. www.croydonactivepaddlers.org.uk

River running only generally happens between October through to April latest, this is down to a few things: 1. the rivers need rain to get them going, 2. In England we have access agreement set in place so there isnt a mass brawl between paddlers and fishermen. Access is a big UK problem and some people go strictly by the rules only paddling duing agreed dates and applying for written persion from the access officer (found at BCU.ORG.UK). I am not a big fan on this system and don't always comply. All I can say is be sensiable, don't go trampling over private land, get on and of quickly, and above all else, be polite.

Driving times from London:

Devon: 3-4hours
South Wales: 3-4hours
North Wales: 5-6hours
Lake District: 6-8hours
Scotland: A guess at 10-13hours
Nottingham Whitewater Centre: 3hours
Nene Northampton White watert centre: 2hours

London Play spots are cool, Hurley being worldly renowed for hosting many freestyle events. 3 Gates out of 4 is best. Levels found at www.kayakojacko.co.uk

Chersty is a metre pour over and runs all summer, ideal location for messing around, jumping in and performing pourover moves(cartwheels, loops, etc). Boulters is in the same legue but not a fun in my eyes.

www.bcu.org.uk will give you a list of all UK clubs, but if just want to meet paddlers for fun, then ukriversguidebook is where everyone chats, or pop down to Hurley and make yourself know.

Anyway thats me done, hope it helps. Good luck and any questions just ask.

Cheers

Darren:dance: