Free stand up paddleboarding and kayaking lessons at Kew Bridge are just some of the great activities taking place along the River Thames as part of TideFest on Sunday 28th September.
Other activities include angling competitions, foreshore exploration, river dipping, wildlife spotting, trips to an island nature reserve, a sailing competition and a heritage walk along the River Wandle.
TideFest is a new River Thames event taking place on Sunday 28th September to highlight and celebrate the recreational importance of the Thames Tideway. TideFest celebrates World Rivers Day and is part of the month long Totally Thames festival. The event is supported by a coalition of waterways groups and wildlife charities which includes London Wildlife Trust, RSPB, Thames 21, Thames Anglers Conservancy, River Thames Society, the Angling Trust and the Living Wandle Landscape Partnership.
Carlo Laurenzi OBE, Chief Executive of London Wildlife Trust, said: “TideFest is about getting out there and celebrating the River Thames, a world famous river with huge potential. This is a great chance to try something new and exciting in the heart of London.”
Active360 is a London paddleboarding company which will be supplying free lessons from its base at Kew Bridge. Active360’s founder and director Paul Hymansaid: “TideFest is yet another great opportunity to enjoy all that the Thames has to offer. Paddleboarding is one of many activities on the TideFest programme and is the fastest growing watersport in the world. It’s easy to learn, great exercise, good fun and suitable for all ages from seven to seventy plus. We are hoping for good turnout for all the free paddle boarding and kayaking taster sessions that we are running from the Brentford Boating Arch at Kew Bridge.”
Paddleboard lessons are free and available from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, followed by free races and should be booked on info@active360.co.uk or 0203 3935360. Kayaking lessons start every half hour from 10.00 am to 4.00pm, minimum age 11 years old, no need to book. Participants should bring a towel, spare dry clothing and old trainers/water-sports shoes. For both activities, meet at the Brentford Boating Arch beneath Kew Bridge.
Stalls and refreshments will be available all day at the Strand on the Green near Kew Bridge in Chiswick, along with a range of foreshore activities for children.
South of the river, in the Wandle Valley, youngsters will have an opportunity to learn to fish with the Wandle Piscators at Ravensbury Park; whilst at Strand on the Green some of London’s top competition anglers will be battling it out for a prestige trophy and a £500 first prize.
TideFest ends with a sailing competition for the new TideFest Challenge Sailing Trophy organized by the Strand on the Green Sailing Club.
More information: http://canoelondon.com/thames-tidefest-2014/
Image credit: Active360
