Kew to Cremorne (TSK 1 trip)

Join us on a two way trip from Kew Bridge to Cremorne Gardens in Chelsea. This trip is around 12.5km each way and will take around 2 - 2.5hrs (each way). We will be paddling with the outgoing Ebb tide through Barnes, Hammersmith, Putney and stopping just before Battersea Bridge. We will have a brief stop between Fulham and Putney to look at navigation and traffic patterns in the restricted SUP area between Putney and Chelsea. On the return trip we will be starting on the turn of the Flood tide and using the incoming tide to help us back to Kew Bridge.

This is a 360 club trip - to join this trip you must have either completed the Thames Skills & Knowledge 1 course with us and/or have suitable experience (a minimum of 10 hours) on the fully Tidal section of the Thames (between Richmond Lock and Putney Bridge) or similar tidal waters.

Boards provided will be a minimum of 12'6 in length so please get in touch before booking with own equipment if your board is shorter than 12'6

There is a board rental option so please select if you do not have your own board or would like to rent from us. For own board & equipment there is a different add on (deduction) if you would only like to join the first half of the trip finishing at Cremorne Riverside.

We acknowledge that as the Thames Skills & Knowledge 1 & 2 trips have not been run since the introduction of the SUP Safer Thames Tideway course and change in the Tideway code as of Spring 2024 - completion of the TSK 1 is not mandatory but the previous experience on the Tideway or similar tidal waters (minimum 10 hours) is still mandatory.

These trips are for experienced club paddlers. Although these trips are guided you must have suitable experience to paddle on the Tideway without coaching. You will be accompanied by experienced paddlers including a qualified coach/es and TSK 2 paddler for safety at all times.

Requirements:

1. Thames Skills & Knowledge 1 (previously completed) or SUP Safer Thames Tideway completed and a minimum of 10 hours paddling experience on the Tidal section of the Thames (between Teddington and Putney) or similar tidal waters.
2. Should have a good knowledge of the Tideway code - https://activethames.co.uk/sites/default/files/2025-11/Tideway_Code.pdf
3. Comfortable to self rescue when necessary and also have experience using a quick release leash.
4. We may need to ask for a bit more detail on your paddling experience after booking if the questionnaire is incomplete.

You must be an experienced paddler and should have completed the Thames Skills & Knowledge (TSK 1) Theory and Practical and/or have good previous experience (minimum 10 hours) on the tidal section of the Thames (Between Teddington Lock and Putney Bridge).

Please wear suitable paddling attire based on the weather. We tend to wear thermals and wetsuits in the winter.

Footwear should be watersports shoes - ideally neoprene. Barefoot is not allowed as we will be walking along the foreshore to start and finish.

Leashes are not mandatory for all on these trips as we will be paddling as a group. Coaches and club paddlers will be wearing Quick release leashes, leg leashes are not permitted on the tidal Thames.

For paddlers with own board & equipment:

1. Buoyancy aids are mandatory (can be rented)
2. Leg leashes are not permitted on the Tidal Thames
3. Quick release leashes are not mandatory - some available to use for members only (renting boards).
4. Dry bags are not provided

We will start at our base in Kew Bridge.

Once we have kitted up we will head out on the water just after High tide using the start of the Ebb tide to take us down to Putney and through to Cremorne Riverside in Chelsea. We will have a brief stop between Fulham and Putney to look at navigation and traffic patterns in the restricted SUP area between Putney and Chelsea.

On the return trip we will be starting on the turn of the Flood tide and using the incoming tide to help us back to Kew Bridge.