SUP Buddies Coach

How fast is the river flowing?

Just because the UK Government website River Thames: current river conditions - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) is showing the river is not in “Red Caution” does not mean the water speed is safe for paddle boards. The river can increase its flow rate very fast quickly, especially if it has rained recently.

Hopefully you know the length of your paddle board. Using this information you can workout the water speed.

Example: If your board is 12 feet long and a leaf takes 2 seconds to travel the length of your board then the speed is 6 feet per second (fps).

12 ft / 2 secs = 6fps

To convert fps to mph using the above example divided 6 fps / 3 then multiply the answer by 2 to give you the speed in mph.

6 fps / 3 x 2 = 4mph

As a rule of thumb paddle boarders when not racing travel between 2 and 4mph. So if you are paddling upstream into a flow of 4mph then you will actually be stationary at best unless the wind is against you in which case you will be travelling backwards which of course is never a good idea.

Some other points to consider when assessing the river...

The river generally flows faster where the river narrows or near an obstruction.
A bridge can be a pinch point where water is channelled and wind funnelled to make paddling even harder.
Normally the middle of the river flows faster than the edge, look at the middle of the river not just the edge.
Consider the wind strength and direction, rivers are not straight and you will be fighting wind at some part of your paddle.
If the wind increases can you paddle against it?

Don't push yourself to the limit, stay within your personal safety limits and all times. It is was better to be safe and come back another time.

Another “must do” paddle ticked off. Old Hary Rocks Swanage Dorset.

A few pics of my favourite locations to paddle

How do I still manage to smile after being beasted by elite athlete and SUP Champion Felicity Hurst?

Does my bum look big in this?