An early start to cover the 12-mile distance as the Thames was just downgraded from red to yellow boards with a stream decreasing value added made it the perfect opportunity to deliver the paddle explore award.
4 paddlers signed up for the trip and the award, and started by sorting out the car sharing amongst themselves, all was set for a great enjoyable day on the water, once we got on the water.
This trip includes the ULEZ charge and the traffic in Richmond and Teddington, and car sharing made it very easy, with the help of our club shuttle driver we were ready to embark on the water at 10.05 am.
With a kit and equipment check and discussion as well as words with the Chertsey lock keeper reference ability we were off, paddling downstream with a good flow and making good progress.
The weather was a bit bleak dull and cloudy but dry, as the saying goes “It never rains on Dave’s trips”!
We soon had a cold headwind, blowing NE and although the paddling seemed harder a look at the bank on either side confirmed we were moving at a good pace.
Part of this award is to empower the paddlers to make safe informed choices and lead discussions and decision making, also this award is for sheltered water. not very sheltered like a canal.
This award also included a few scenarios that Dave had planned and advised the group of, although today no one was getting wet, Dave has already seen various rescues etc from the group throughout the Summer and pool sessions, not just that the water was evidentially cold and we had a fair distance to travel.
Scenario 1 was soon underway; a paddler lost their paddle taking a photo, the group stayed together the paddle was retrieved handed to the paddler and we continued onwards.
Next, we were at Shepperton lock and we thought our 1st portage, but Dave hopping out of his boat and Tony towing it through the lock made a portage not necessary and as the paddlers gathered on the downside of the lock, as Dave re-entered his boat, we were ready to make some progress.
We were making good time as we watched some white-water paddlers exiting Shepperton weir after a morning of messing about.
Full of beans and conversation we headed to our third lock where we all decided to portage and have lunch, this is also included in the award as portaging at different heights and working as a team to move craft safely is always a bonus, especially on a long paddle.
Dave led and asked the paddlers to demonstrate their portaging skills and working as a team and individually we were soon at our lunch spot on the downside of Sunbury lock.
A great place for lunch and toilets if needed.
Our next lock would be Molesey lock some 5k downstream but with the wind it made it a little uncomfortable, Dave was monitoring everyone’s paddling and ability to control their craft and after the lunch stop a few paddlers had swapped craft to get a feel for paddling another they all did really well especially as Brendan was practicing one of the most important strokes you can learn (the draw stroke).
The conversations flowed as we passed Hurst Park and saw all the houses built on floating pontoons, (not really a houseboat) just some stunning designs that float and would need to be tugged or pulled if they was ever to move.
At Molesey lock we had another short break for a warm drink and a few scenario situations.
We covered, dislocated shoulder, broken arm, suspected heart attack and an unconscious paddler as a group and what to do in that situation.
below Molesey lock was calm, the wind had stopped and there was hardly any flow, our group was evidently getting tired as they all do on this section and conversation was drying up but everyone seemed chirpy and dug in and paddled on.
Soon we were approaching our get out with thoughts of a visit to the pub, but once we carried our craft across the 100mtr field clean dried and packed them all away we decided to just hit the road and go home.
All paddlers passed their award and enjoyed paddling this section of the paddle the Thames Journey, maybe it was the company.
The weather wasn’t the best, with a strong headwind for most of it and it was dull and gray.
We got on the water at 10.05 and after a 12-mile paddle with a few breaks we got off at 3.30pm still in daylight, just.
Well done all.
Write up by DH
Photo Gallery HERE
Looks like a pleasant successful trip. Well done. Sorry I couldn’t join you. Crh