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Rowing

Whether sliding seat, fixed seat or coastal, rowing offers a full body workout. The tideway is home to some of the best rowing clubs in the country.

With all watersports, it’s best to learn under the guidance of an experienced and qualified coach. They can make sure your introduction to the sport is fun and safe and- added bonus- signpost you to the best clubs and paddling routes in your area. Find coaches local to you.

When paddling on the tidal Thames (also known as the tideway), all river users must follow the Tideway Code to keep themselves and others safe. Whilst some stretches of the tideway might not look busy at certain times, it is key to remember that it is a navigable port with a huge variety of activity, from stand-up paddleboarders to high speed boats and commercial ships. It is the busiest inland waterway in the UK.

What’s the Tideway like for rowing?

Due to the large numbers of rowers in this area and the interaction of rowing with other recreational users, upriver of Putney there are special rules in place to make rowing safe.

Throughout the river traditional fixed seat rowing is also popular with the more traditional designs of their boat capable of dealing with the rougher conditions to be found in central London and further downriver.

Incidents involving rowing craft

Look after each other on the river. Let us know when you encounter an issue that affects safety or navigation.

British Rowing has established an online incident reporting system for all incidents involving rowers. The system is not limited to the rowing community and British Rowing welcomes other leisure users to use it to report incidents. The British Rowing online incident reporting system does not replace the requirement to complete a PLA Incident Report Form.

We’re working to connect watersports coaches with more opportunities to work with athletes in London, Kent and Essex!

In just a few minutes you can list your areas of expertise and allow Active Thames site users to find and contact you about training options.

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Activity Finder

Navigating in the upper tidal Thames
Navigating in central London
Navigating in the lower tidal Thames

The Active Thames and Boating on the Thames websites are run and administered by the Port of London Authority (PLA) and have been designed to provide support to members of the public who are interested in watersports and activities. Whilst we make reasonable efforts to ensure that information provided on our website is accurate and up to date, we make no representations or guarantees, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy of the content. Therefore, users should ensure that they make their own enquiries of the information provided including coaches, their qualifications (and whether the same are up to date) and contact details as listed on the Active Thames and Boating on the Thames websites. The information and links provided by Active Thames and Boating on the Thames are for convenience only. The directory of coaches and links provided on our website may lead to external sites and any information or statements on these sites are not sponsored or endorsed by the PLA. The PLA cannot be held liable for the availability (or lack thereof) of individuals listed on or content located within any external websites.

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