"Bill Oldroyd" wrote in message
...
elyob wrote:
I've got a little idea brewing where I take a canoe/kayak up the Thames
and camp out etc etc.

For a start I would try canoeing down the Thames it's a lot easier.


I'm going to join a local club and then meet people who can give advice and
find people who don't mind me tagging along. I don't have a car at the
moment, so will be looking at same start/finish points for practice.
Hopefully will find others who can help out for bigger trips.

That's as far as I've got. I investigated a school recently and may start
training on their equipment soon. However, am unsure whether to go for
canoe or kayak. I won't be carrying tons of stuff, but will still have a
weeks worth or so. Maybe as much as a tent, sleeping bag and clothes etc
..

I would go for a kayak, it's also easier.

Okay! Sounds good! It also has a place to stash the beer?


Also, I see some fibre glass canoes going pretty cheaply, but haven't got
anywhere to store one at the moment. So, should I consider renting one,
or finding a neighbour with a garden I can hide it in when not in use?

Hide it ina neighbour's garden.

I think that's probably the best advice. How much do Kayaks cost, and where
can I read more about new and secondhand ones?


What sort of kayak/canoe should I look at for this type of beginners
tour? I've used one previously that was in a friends garden, but it got
really uncomfortable on my back from leaning back on the entrance edge.
Is this because it may have been too small for me? I'm 6ft, 16st.

No, it's probably because you have the wrong paddling technique and lack
of stamina so you are lying back in your seat when paddling. Sit up when
paddling. It will probably be difficult to start with, but by the time you
have paddled down the Thames, you will not think twice about it.

Buy a long, thin canoe that initially feels a bit unstable.

What sort of distance would you expect to cover per day?

How many pubs do you intend to call at :-). Depends on how much sight
seeing you want to do. 20 miles a day might be a reasonable target - This
probably equates to about 5 or 6 hours a day paddling. In order to pass
through the locks quickly I recommend going to the front of the queue of
boats and fitting into the odd space left by the cruisers etc.. Hold on to
a chain. Oh yes, nearly forgot, you need a license.


I did pop through a locks at Shepperton when I borrowed one for an hour or
two last year. I held on to the chains as you say.

Thanks for any advice

Have fun.

Bill

I will. I think I'll be out this weekend

"elyob" wrote in message
...

"Bill Oldroyd" wrote in message
...
How many pubs do you intend to call at :-). Depends on how much
sight
seeing you want to do. 20 miles a day might be a reasonable target -
This
probably equates to about 5 or 6 hours a day paddling. In order to
pass
through the locks quickly I recommend going to the front of the
queue of
boats and fitting into the odd space left by the cruisers etc.. Hold
on to
a chain. Oh yes, nearly forgot, you need a license.


I did pop through a locks at Shepperton when I borrowed one for an
hour or
two last year. I held on to the chains as you say.

You used the locks like any other boat would? I didn't know this was
permitted.
I've only ever been involved with racing on the Thames and the locks are
always portaged. The locks are provided with paths which are signposted
for portaging craft. On British Waterways your canal licence prohibits
the use of locks although I believe you can purchase a more expensive
version which does allow use of locks. I don't remember seeing any
paddler actually using locks on the canal. IMHO it is far easier and
vastly quicker to get out and have a little walk around the lock.

David Kemper
Not a fan of hanging around in chains.

"David Kemper" wrote in message
...

"elyob" wrote in message
...

"Bill Oldroyd" wrote in message
...
How many pubs do you intend to call at :-). Depends on how much
sight
seeing you want to do. 20 miles a day might be a reasonable target -
This
probably equates to about 5 or 6 hours a day paddling. In order to
pass
through the locks quickly I recommend going to the front of the
queue of
boats and fitting into the odd space left by the cruisers etc.. Hold
on to
a chain. Oh yes, nearly forgot, you need a license.


I did pop through a locks at Shepperton when I borrowed one for an
hour or
two last year. I held on to the chains as you say.

You used the locks like any other boat would? I didn't know this was
permitted.
I've only ever been involved with racing on the Thames and the locks are
always portaged. The locks are provided with paths which are signposted
for portaging craft. On British Waterways your canal licence prohibits
the use of locks although I believe you can purchase a more expensive
version which does allow use of locks. I don't remember seeing any
paddler actually using locks on the canal. IMHO it is far easier and
vastly quicker to get out and have a little walk around the lock.


I dunno, I just borrowed a canoe out of a friends back garden and took a
spin. Thought I'd give it a go, however other paddlers got out and carried.
Yes, vastly quicker to do this, but I thought I wanted to do it just once.

elyob wrote:
....
I did pop through a locks at Shepperton when I borrowed one for an
hour or two last year. I held on to the chains as you say.

One reason for going through the locks is that it gives you a chance to
rest and chat with the people on the boats and the lock keeper. On the
other hand portaging around a lock gives you a chance to stretch your legs.

One thing I forgot to mention is that there are quite a few charming
backwaters you can use instead of the mainstream. A number of the weirs
can be portaged next to the weir or across into the weir stream, and
this again takes you away from the mainstream. However for both these
you need local knowledge and care so if you don't have either it's
not an option. Apparently the right of way on the Thames covers any
backwater (except the Jubilee river ?).

When I was doing this sort of stuff there were also a few weirs that
could be shot. I don't know if this is the case anymore.

Bill