I couldn’t turn down an opportunity to do some big water paddling on the Thames. With all the rain we had been graced with in the weeks leading up to the weekend, I was hoping to finally be able to catch Sunbury, or Shepperton at the levels it is renowned for. Unfortunately, as the weekend got closer, those two weirs both came into condition, but the rain did not cease there. By the time the weekend had finally arrived Sunbury has completely washed up, Shepperton was questionable and even Mapledurham (which only works when the Thames is very high) had washed-out. Boulters was looking like the only guaranteed option.In order to fit in a paddling session before heading to Birmingham, I planned to be on the water by 0900. This turned out to be too early for everyone else, but a quick post on TVFreestylers found me some buddies to paddle with.
Me on the second wave at Boulters. Photo taken by Gareth from TVFreestylers
Previously, I have only paddled at Boulters during summer levels when the flume is the only thing worth paddling on the Thames. At the levels encountered on Saturday, the flume was well underwater but the main gates produce a few big waves. The top wave was hard work to get on to, but just about achievable with some strong strokes and a good ferry glide from river left – there are some climbing handholds on the wall so that you can work your way high enough above the wave to ferry onto it. I only managed to catch it a couple of times despite the many attempts. It was a nice wave, although not very retentive (I had to paddle pretty constantly whilst on it).
Gareth on the top wave
You just have to be careful to avoid the very nasty stopper in the corner of the weir. Read what happened to Hugh Kingdon when he got a bit too close.
The very nasty stopper on the corner of the weir, taken from the weir bridge. Photo courtesy of Gareth from TVFreestylers
The very nasty stopper from the river left bank
The second wave was easier to catch. There are climbing hand-holds conveniently attached to the wall on river left, which are used to drag yourself upstream of the wave, from where a ferry glide is required to catch the wave. This wave I found quite surgey and on multiple occasions I was on the wrong end of a surge. My final ride saw me, and my boat, completely submerged in a split-second!
Gareth surfing the second wave
It was hard work (my stomach muscles are still sore on Monday evening) but definitely worth the effort. Hopefully the modifications to improve the waves will be made and we’ll have the opportunity to surf it again soon!