Thameside Series
Encyclopedia
The Thameside Series are two canoe
and kayak
races organised by Reading Canoe Club, that coincide with the Waterside Series
races, organised by Newbury Canoe Club. The two races are Thameside 1 (a 12 mile race from Aldermaston, Berkshire
to Reading
), and Thameside 2 (a 19 mile race starting at Reading and ending in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
).
, Oxfordshire
, which is notorious for its strong head and side winds.
, a series of four races held by Newbury Canoe Club. The six races in total are also deemed to be good warm-up races for the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race (DW). However, the two series on their own are often considered to be good challenges in themselves, and are competed particularly strongly in the Junior K2 section by schools. Recently, Cokethorpe School, Oxfordshire
, has become a recognisable team in both series, as well as DW itself .
Canoe
A canoe or Canadian canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, though it may also be powered by sails or small electric or gas motors. Canoes are usually pointed at both bow and stern and are normally open on top, but can be decked over A canoe (North American English) or Canadian...
and kayak
Kayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
races organised by Reading Canoe Club, that coincide with the Waterside Series
Waterside Series
The Waterside Series is a series of four marathon canoe races held on the Kennet and Avon Canal and finishing at the Newbury Waterside Centre.The race series is held in the Spring each year in the 8 weeks leading up to Easter...
races, organised by Newbury Canoe Club. The two races are Thameside 1 (a 12 mile race from Aldermaston, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
to Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
), and Thameside 2 (a 19 mile race starting at Reading and ending in Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Marlow, Buckinghamshire
Marlow is a town and civil parish within Wycombe district in south Buckinghamshire, England...
).
Thameside 1
Starting from Aldermaston Bridge, Thameside 1 is a 12 mile, 13 portage time trial down the Kennet & Avon Canal, through Reading town centre and out onto the River Thames. A left turn where the mouth of the Kennet meets the Thames takes competitors upstream and over Caversham Lock, finishing upstream of Caversham Bridge at Reading Canoe Club on the right hand bank.Thameside 2
This is a 19 mile, 8 portage downstream race with mass class starts, starting in Reading and finishing at Marlow. The finish is at the Longridge Scout Boating Centre, Quarry Wood Road, Marlow. This race encompasses the Henley Straight - a 2 mile stretch over river running through Henley-on-ThamesHenley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames is a town and civil parish on the River Thames in South Oxfordshire, England, about 10 miles downstream and north-east from Reading, 10 miles upstream and west from Maidenhead...
, Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
, which is notorious for its strong head and side winds.
Classes
There are 12 classes: Junior K1; Junior K2; Senior K1,; Senior K2; Senior C1; Senior C2; Veteran K1; Veteran K2; Ladies K1; Ladies K2; Mixed K2; Junior/Veteran K2. The Senior and Junior classes are the mostly highly contested, with records often being set each year. Thameside 1 is undertaken as a staggered start, whereby racers are set off in groups at set times. However, Thameside 2 is split into four staggered starts - slower K2 boats, slower K1 boats, faster K2 boats and finally faster K1 boats. Anytime paddler(s) ranked Division 3 or above in the Hasler Series of races must start in the faster starts by race rules. The mass starts are often areas of controversy, as the more competitive boats are often accused of 'pushing the line', and large waves being formed by the start, often capsizing boats further back. On average, about 200 boats compete in each race.Similar Races
The Thameside Series is held at a similar time to the Waterside SeriesWaterside Series
The Waterside Series is a series of four marathon canoe races held on the Kennet and Avon Canal and finishing at the Newbury Waterside Centre.The race series is held in the Spring each year in the 8 weeks leading up to Easter...
, a series of four races held by Newbury Canoe Club. The six races in total are also deemed to be good warm-up races for the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race (DW). However, the two series on their own are often considered to be good challenges in themselves, and are competed particularly strongly in the Junior K2 section by schools. Recently, Cokethorpe School, Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
, has become a recognisable team in both series, as well as DW itself .