My SUP Stories

Ready to SUP the Thames? Don’t Get Carried Away – A Checklist for Safe Adventures

Paddleboarding on the Thames? My 5-Point Checklist for Conditions.

• Type: Water Safety
• Description: Basic conditions checklist
• Waterway: Tideway above Putney Bridge

Are you ready for some SUP on the River Thames in London? Hold your horses, cowperson! Before you hit the water, let’s go over this quick checklist to keep you safe and sound on your SUP adventure:

• Weather: “I ain’t afraid of no wind.” Well, you should be. Check the MetOffice app for temperature, rain, thunderstorms as well as wind direction and speeds, both constant and gusts. Even the most experienced SUPers can get blown off course on the meandering Thames. Ending up in a different postcode is not a good look.
• Tides: “Time and tide wait for no one”. Knowing the tide timings and direction is critical. With a tidal rise and fall of up to 7 metres, getting your launch time right can mean the difference between a smooth ride and a battle against a 4-knot flow. Check the tide tables on Thames Tides or the My Tide Times app. Top tip – if using the PLA tide tables, don’t forget to adjust the timings for your location and daylight saving time. My favourite past time is waiting for the tide to change…
• Fluvial flow: “Say what now?” Yes, fluvial flow. It’s the water flowing outbound from the non-tidal Thames above Teddington Lock. After heavy rainfall, this stream can increase in speed and combined with ebb flow, cause a “Yellow Flag” or “Red Flag” warning from the Port of London Authority. Check the PLA or Thames Tides sites to stay on top of this.
• Obstacles: “I didn’t see that coming!” Well, now you will. Browse the “PLA Notices to Mariners” and online “Events calendar” to stay informed about obstacles and navigation restrictions due to events. There’s a reason why there are no paddlers on the water at the time of the Boat Race.
• River conditions: “I’m a tough cookie, I can handle anything.” Not true, buddy. If paddling upstream past Teddington Lock, check The Environment Agency River Thames stream conditions first.

And there you have it, my simple checklist for a safe and enjoyable Thames SUP adventure. Don’t forget to keep doing your dynamic risk assessment while on the water. Adjust your plans accordingly and have fun out there!

If you have any other tips or tricks for safe paddling on the Thames, I’d love for you to share them in the comments.

If you liked this story, check these SUP routes: From Barbell to Board (Richmond-Hampton Court) & Rower Central (Putney-Richmond).