Thameside 2 2025

Thameside 2: Reading to Marlow

This is a downstream race with mass class starts, starting in Reading and finishing at Marlow.

Start and Check in will be behind Reading Rowing Club on the south bank of the river near the Rivermead Sports Centre and Premier Inn Hotel, opposite Reading Canoe club. The finish will be in Marlow, exact location to be confirmed

Approximate total distance: 18.5 miles, Portages: 8

Race Entry

Senior: Pre-entries: £18 per seat per race

Junior: Pre-entries: £14 per seat per race

British Canoeing (BC) Membership Day Ticket £5

Late entries: £4 additional per seat

• Entries can only be made online this year. NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER 12:00 ON THE DAY PRECEDING EACH RACE.
• Payment is via the online entry system only.
• Comprehensive BC membership is required. Please bring your card on the day.
• Those without proof of BC membership will be charged £5 for an event day ticket.
• Entry fees include Thames Licences, light refreshments and the use of shower and changing facilities at finishing points.
• All Under 18 paddlers must wear a Buoyancy Aid.

Classes

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• Juniors must be under 19 on January 1st in the year of the race.
• Veterans must be aged 35 or over on January 1st in the year of the race.
• A Junior/Veteran boat must be made up of paddlers from both classes.

Prizes

Thameside 2: Prize giving details to be confirmed

Race Day

Safety

• Canoeing​ ​and​ ​Kayaking​ ​in​ ​all​ ​its​ ​forms​ ​is​ ​an​ ​‘Assumed​ ​Risk​ ​–​ ​Water​ ​Contact’​ ​sport.​ ​The organisers​ ​have​ ​done​ ​their​ ​very​ ​best​ ​to​ ​provide​ ​a​ ​safe​ ​racing​ ​environment.
• Competitors and team leaders should note that competitors participate at their own risk, and that Reading Canoe Club cannot be held responsible for any loss or injury to person or property however caused.
• 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 organiser 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.
• Competitors must provide support to any other paddler in distress, and should attempt to raise the attention of one of the marshals along the course.
• The rules of the river/waterway should be observed at all times.

Kit Requirements

In the event of cold weather, paddlers considered by the race organisers to be too lightly dressed will not be permitted to take part. The safety marshalʼs decision in this matter will be final.

Buoyancy Aids

• All paddlers under the age of 18 years on 1st January in the year of the race must wear a buoyancy aid or life jacket.
• Division 7-9 paddlers must​ wear buoyancy aids, regardless of the class entered.
• It is recommended that all other paddlers wear a buoyancy aid or life jacket and dress appropriately, since river conditions can be adverse at this time of the year – we may also declare on race day it is compulsory for ALL classes, ALL paddlers.

Boat Buoyancy

All boats must carry sufficient buoyancy secured in both ends to support their own weight plus that of crew members in the water, e.g. inflated airbags or fixed buoyancy blocks. Boats may be inspected before the start and any boats not meeting the requirements will not be allowed to race.

Retirements

All paddlers who fail to finish must report this, with their boat number, to a Marshal. Alternatively report to race control on 07727262925 (please note this number has changed).

Results

The results will appear on this site during the event, check the Home Page for the latest.

For historical results check out the Archive Results