Newbury Nutters Day Out on the Thames!
- Sep 29, 2025
- 5 min read
Report written by Rob Whitehead
The Thames 200 is the new kid on the block of the long-distance canoe marathon races; this was just its second outing. The format of the race allows for many different craft: K1, K2, C1, C2, C4 and SUP. The race can be run as a relay or all the way through in whatever craft you choose. Team Newbury Nutters opted for the relay with 5 K2 crews and one K1.
Leg 1 Lechlade to New Bridge
I had thrown my hat into the ring to do two legs but it was swiftly thrown out as team manager, Paul, wanted someone with decades of paddling experience who was able to handle a mass start line and also reach New Bridge before the checkpoint was closed. James Treadgold was the man for the job and he reached checkpoint 2 in good time, ahead of a much younger national paddler to boot. Rumours that he pushed her in at the portage are completely unfounded!
Leg 2 New Bridge to Abingdon
Richard Carter and Andrew Collier, in the club Mirage, took the baton form Mr T, the Chuckle Brothers, as they are
otherwise known, can, when they are not flopping out of their boat at a portage or slipping over on a slippery bank, move the boat very swiftly down the river. Their leg in the daylight was fairly straight forward except for when Richard had to stand on Andrew’s shoulders to exit the boat as the portages were so high! They arrived at Abingdon shortly after the much younger and very excitable Royal Engineers one of whom very nearly fell out of the boat trying to get in!
Leg 3 Abingdon to Pangbourne
Mike Richman and myself set off about 3-4 minutes after the Engineers, unfortunately Mike was so eager getting in the boat that his seat slipped out of position, however, we were able to fix this at the first portage and then made good progress despite excessive vegetation in the water and very little riverside light. We overtook the excitable Engineers just before Benson. For a good 10 miles we towed a K1 on either side of our boat. We had planned a water stop and feed at Benson, however, Dave and Phil were unable to get to the lock due to on-going works. Our support crew eventually met us at the second Goring portage by which time they were very much needed as we had no fluids left and were very much in need of a banana. Despite this probably being the hardest section to paddle due to the vegetation, lack of light and meanders in the unfamiliar river we arrived at Pangbourne on schedule and handed over.
Leg 4 Pangbourne to Bisham Abbey
Paul Jackson and Rebecca Bird, in their new banana M50 took over. I am not sure I have seen anyone so excited at the prospect of paddling into the night and Rebecca was quite keen also! They had a much easier stretch as the water is much more familiar, the portages easier and the fact that Rebecca had fitted a WW2 search light to the front of their boat turning night into day and thus nullifying the advantage of this new lightweight boat! They made swift work of their section down to Bisham despite a couple of very annoying K1s getting in the way at the portages as they had done for Mike and myself. Rebecca had told them in no uncertain terms what she thought of them!
Leg 5 Bisham Abbey to Staines
James Treadgold and Paul Hayes. James was back for his second slice of paddling pie and if there was anyone in the club who needs an extra slice of pie, its James! I collected James and Paul from Staines to transport them to Bisham Abbey, it was only as we entered the M25 that James realised that he had left his paddle in his car, cue cartoon comedy handbrake turn to retrieve it! We arrived at checkpoint 5 with 10 minutes to spare, I am still sweating and hoping that my licence remains unblemished! For these 2 DW winners this was going to be a straight forward paddle despite James putting in an earlier shift. He also had the advantage of having a partner who is not yet eligible for a retirement home like the rest of the crews and was fresh into the boat. Paul noted their first two hours of paddling was possibly too fast as this is neither Hasler distance or DW distance; also, there was a lack of light at the portages due to them not being marshalled. However, a beautiful sunrise made him appreciate paddling this leg.
Leg 6 Staines to Teddington - The Glory Run!
This final leg at 17 miles is the shortest and most manageable leg of the course. Dave Seward and Phil Bartle were going to bring home the proverbial bacon. They too were using the club Mirage that the Chuckle Brothers had used earlier, however, after only a few miles they began to take on water, it was thought that the boat was accidently damaged earlier on in the day, putting a hole in the nose, however, there may have already been a hole in the boat and may only have come to light now that the boat was sitting lower in the water. Regardless of the reason, the boat was taking on water and had to be emptied regularly. They had a straightforward run down with just the usual rowing boats and river cruisers to avoid. They were also very well disciplined and much to the surprise of the team manager did not stop in a riverside pub for breakfast. They finished in good time before the boat finally sunk, much to the applause of the assembled masses.
To sum up, this event had an extremely friendly atmosphere along the whole course, despite being a race no one seemed to be stressed, whilst at the same time giving it their best. This is definitely an event that can help to encourage paddlers looking to go further than a Hasler and paddle through the night while not having to take on the whole course. The date in late August should, as it did this year, be less likely to have inclement weather and give longer daylight hours for paddling. All of the Newbury paddlers very much enjoyed the event and are keen to repeat it next year, where we hope to have two teams form Newbury Canoe Club.
