Thames 200 Ultra

• Starting on 25th August, there will be a new ultra paddle race down the length of the non-tidal navigable Thames, from Lechlade to Teddington, covering some 200km in a single event.
• The Thames 200 Ultra will be the first major ultra-paddle event to encompass all paddle craft. It is open to K1, K2, SUP, and open canoe.
• The Thames 200 Ultra will be open to pairs of paddlers for the straight-through race and teams of two and upward for team entries.
• Several (currently secret) Compulsory Stopping Points will be along the course, where teams can refuel, swap personnel, receive support from the organisers, and plan the next leg of their race.

Keith Moule, Race Manager, said, “A signature event on the calendar. This challenge provides a platform to prepare for other ultra events and a gateway to access an adventure race on the iconic Thames River.”

Event Ambassador Steve Backshall said, “The Thames 200 Ultra is a perfect and timely way to celebrate the Thames at its best. It is a magnificent opportunity to showcase our magical Thames to the world and get more people into paddle sports.”

Thames 200 Ultra primary objectives – for paddlers

1. We aim to encourage more people to paddle by offering an accessible event open to as broad a range of participants as possible.
2. We aim to increase the overall frequency of paddling on the Thames during the race and in training paddles in the lead-up to it.
3. Our team events are designed to make paddling and accessing the Thames available to ‘Adventure Racers’ and grow marathon paddling beyond the current cadre of competition paddlers.
4. We want to establish the event as a fixture on the paddling calendar for existing marathon paddlers to train for.
5. In the long term, the Thames 200 Ultra will grow engagement, usage and subscriptions at canoeing clubs throughout the Thames and across southern England.
6. We want to encourage paddlers worldwide to experience the unique beauty and spirit of the iconic Thames through a blue riband destination event.

Thames 200 Ultra secondary objectives – for the public

1. Highlight the changing natural beauty of the Thames along the length of the entire course and demonstrate how the river’s character evolves.
2. Create an event that can be engaged online and in social media at multiple points along the course.
3. Showcase the Thames as a fantastic sporting and recreational facility to a wider audience.
4. Demonstrate to the public that paddle craft can cover ultra-distances and that a paddle can be a gateway to great and small adventures.

Key Thames 200 Ultra Personnel
Steve Backshall MBE – Event Ambassador 
TV presenter and naturalist, DW Winner, Previous Thames Course Record Holder. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBV9Ji1duPE
Keith Moule – Race Director
Multiple DW Record Holder and Winner. GB Canoe Team & Race Coach.
Billy Butler – Director
Multiple DW Podium finisher and Current Thames Record Holder. GB Canoe Team. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4IzCSWrcWA
Jim Taylor-Ross MBE – Director Safety
Previous DW Record Holder. GB Canoe Team, Manger & Race Coach.
Annabel Taylor-Ross
Logistic Director- Owner Ocean Surfski / Epic Kayaks.
Steve Hayward
Director of Partnerships, was a previous DW Competitor.