Thameside 1 - 2026

Starting at Aldermaston Bridge, the course runs along the Kennet & Avon Canal, onto the River Kennet, through Reading town centre, and onto the River Thames. At the Kennet–Thames junction, competitors turn left upstream, pass Caversham Lock, and finish upstream of Caversham Bridge at Reading Canoe Club (right bank). After finishing, paddlers must turn downstream and exit at the Reading Promenade (opposite bank). No access or boat collection from Reading Canoe Club due to new parking restrictions.

Start Window: 9:45 – 11:45 (1 minute intervals, batches of up to 3)

Finish Window: starts at 12:30 (arrivals before 12:30 will not be timed)

Distance: ~12 miles, Portages: 13

Parking and Facilities

Pre-event: British Rail car park at Aldermaston Station. If using local roads, please park considerately and avoid obstructing emergency access.
Facilities at Aldermaston: Limited. There will be toilets in the Aldermaston Tea Rooms garden; the indoor toilets are for the café customers only.
Aldermaston Tea Rooms will be open on the day from 8am for tea, coffee and breakfast baps and their usual menu will run from 9:30am as normal. You can find more info on their food and drinks available at https://www.tearoomsaldermaston.com/ Please note that parking is very limited around the Tea Rooms and we need to leave that to their customers so please only use the area for drop-off and then park further away to save the opportunity for dropping off to others.
Post-event: Limited parking near Reading Promenade or across Richfield Avenue. You can pick up boats/paddlers at the Rowing Club, then park elsewhere. Toilets and food will be available at the finish.

Entry Details

• Online entry only – No entries after 12:00 PM, Saturday, 14th February 2026
• Standard entries: Until 23:59, Thursday, 12th February 2026
• Entry fees: £18 for seniors, £14 for juniors
• Late entries: £4 additional per seat
• Paddle UK Membership required
• The entry fee includes Thames Licences, refreshments, showers, and changing facilities

Classes

• Juniors: Under 19 on 1st January 2026
• Veterans: 35+ on 1st January 2026
• Junior/Veteran boats must include paddlers from both classes

Prizes: 1st, 2nd and 3rd in all classes

Event Terms and Safety

• Parking: strictly no parking or drop off/pick up at Reading Canoe Club/The Warren. Due to issues with the club’s boundary wall, parking is unavailable along the Warren.
• Safety: Canoeing/Kayaking is an assumed risk sport. Competitors race at their own risk. Be courteous to others and assist paddlers in distress without endangering yourself.
• Medical Conditions: Team leaders must bring to the race organiser’s attention any paddlers that are known to suffer with medical conditions that could adversely affect their safety. The race organizer will then decide what, if any, extra control measures to put in place to ensure the safety of the paddler.
• The course is open to others and you must be mindful of all others, and courteous, whether they are competitors/supporters/general public, on and off the water
• The rules of the river/waterway should be observed at all times. 
• Kit: Adequate clothing required; buoyancy aids mandatory for under-16s and Div 7–9 paddlers. Recommended for all. All paddlers must bring a buoyancy aid in case the weather or/and river conditions demand it.
• Boat Buoyancy: Must support boat and crew weight in water. Inspections may occur.
• Retirements: Report to marshal or call race control (07345982183).
• Conduct: No littering; respect residents, spectators and towpath users. If any anti-social behaviour is reported on behalf of the competitor or their support crew, the competitor is at risk of disqualification.