Canoe and kayak retailers for paddling on the Kennet

So you have the river, and you might now need some kit to get on it... 

The following retailers are all on the doorstep or within a reasonable travelling distance, and offer a range of equipment that will provide you with everything you need to go canoeing and kayaking on the River Kennet, so, in no particular order of preference,... 


Berkshire Canoes

Address: The Boat Yard, Scours Lane, Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 6AY

Tel: 0118 942 5640

E-mail: sales@berkshire-canoes.co.uk
Website: www.berkshire-canoes.co.uk/

Marsport Limited
Address: Thames Valley Park Drive, Reading, West Berkshire RG6 1PQ

Tel: 0118 966 5912
E-mail: info@marsport.co.uk  
Website: http://www.marsport.co.uk/


Riverside Centre Oxford
Address: Donnington Bridge, Oxford, OX4 4AZ

Tel: 01865 248 673 
Contact: click here
Website: http://www.riversideoxford.co.uk/home/

The Family Adventure Store
Address: The Old Farrel House, Hilperton, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 7PJ.

Tel: 01225 768630
E-mail: info@familyadventurestore.co.uk
Website: www.familyadventurestore.co.uk/catalog/top_index.php


Whitewater The Canoe Centre
Address: Shepperton Marina, Shepperton, Middlesex, TW17 8NS.

Tel: 01932 247 978
E-mail: info@wwtcc.com
Online shop: www.whitewaterthecanoecentre.co.uk/shop/home.php


Woodmill Canoe Shop
Address: Woodmill Outdoor Activites Centre, Woodmill Lane, Swaythling, Southampton, SO18 2JR.

Tel: 023 8091 5740
E-mail: info@woodmill.co.uk
Website: www.woodmill.co.uk/canoe-shop

Note: the author of the blog has no formal association with any of the businesses described.  Having used 4 out of the 6 companies listed above for various items all have been helpful and pleasant to deal with (and I have no reason to think the others would be any different).

How low can it go?

WARNING: You are about to view the sad recording of some unscientifically sampled statistics...

Pictures and graphs for November 2010, reinforcing the fact that despite the horrible floods in Cornwall and concern at the raised river levels elsewhere in the UK this month, the seasonal flow of the River Kennet reflects a more constant geological delivery of water... 


It's not really paddling territory, but the gauged levels at Eddington (Hungerford) give an indication of inflow from the upper reach of the River Kennet before it is artificially corrupted by confluence with the water provided by the interwoven Kennet and Avon Canal beyond Kintbury on the middle reach.  Despite the fact that it was spotting with rain when this picture was taken (06 November 2010), and the subsequent grey days and occasional precipitation that followed in November, the chalk downs have clearly been quenching their aquifer's thirst after a dry Summer and Autumn in the central south of England.

The river level gauge at Eddington.  The typical range is between 0.39m and 0.8m. Between 05 and 23 November 2010 a random sampling of 16 reported levels at various times on various days showed an average level of only 0.38m.  The previous image relates to a gauge measurement of 0.37m (i.e. below the minimum norm).

An easy way to check the level of the Kennet Navigation through Newbury is to check the boarding around the midstream stanchion of Newbury's 'fishbone' bridge, shown here at around 4.97m. If paddling on the K&A minimum levels are maintained for narrow boat passage, but low levels will mean no play downstream at the sluice overflow below the A339 road bridge.

The river level gauge at Newbury.  The typical range is only between 4.94m and 5.16m. Between 05 and 23 November 2010 a random sampling of 22 reported levels at various times on various days showed an average level of only 4.96m (although this figure is slightly distorted by a reading of a 10cm drop yesterday; maybe someone left a lock open).

The gauging station at Theale (Barbel Bar), which is located towards the end of Arrowhead Road.  The old carpet changing mat at the back of the station disappeared this year - if you're currently redecorating...

Barbel Bar at a low flow of c.0.27m...

...Note the small outflow pipe hole on the far bank wall that is visible at such a low level.

The get-out is river left just below the weir wall, and at this low level looks like this. 

Just in case you doubt the opportunity for training at the mighty Barbel Bar at better flows.

The river level gauge at Theale (Barbel Bar). The typical range is between 0.23m and 0.83m. Between 05 and 20 November 2010 a random sampling of 21 reported levels showed an average level of only 0.30m.

Time for some rain.

Waterside, Thameside and DW canoe and kayak races in 2011

The annual Waterside and Thameside series of races on the Kennet and Avon Canal should have little impact on any users the riverine sections of the waterway, but as it is necessary to use the canal to access certain sections of the river please note the following dates and locations when you may encounter canoe and kayak racing (although there is also plenty of training carried out in the six months prior to the Devizes to Westminster race).

- Sunday 27 February 2011: Waterside A - this will only affect you if you are paddling in Newbury (the finish line is by the Waterside Centre). Watch out for swimmers.

The Waterside Series finish line in Newbury in 2009.  Don't bother trying to park at Newbury Quay on race days.

- Sunday 6 March 2011: Thameside 1 - from Aldermaston Bridge to the Thames along the canalised route.

- Sunday 13 March 2011: Waterside B - from downstream of the A339 road bridge in Newbury to Aldermaston Wharf and back.

- Sunday 27 March 2011: Waterside C - this will again only affect you if you are paddling upstream of the Newbury Waterside Centre finish line.

- Sunday 10 April 2010: Waterside D - as for Waterside C.

- Friday 22 - Monday 25 April 2011 (the Easter Bank Holiday): the Devizes to Westminster Race - obviously it will be the Friday and Saturday that will affect the Kennet.

Dates for the 2012 Waterside series are as follows:

- Race A 12th February 2012
- Race B 26th February 2012
- Race C 11th March 2012
- Race D 25th March 2012