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Increase your Tideway knowledge and safety awareness. Or become a coach and join the team.
Welcome to Thames Skills & Knowledge (TSK) Courses & Trips with Active360
The Thames in London – right up to Teddington Lock is tidal with one of the biggest tidal ranges in the world. Â This means strong currents affected by varied weather conditions and specific risks to manage. The Tidal Thames (called Thames Tideway) is also a busy stretch of river with commercial traffic, pleasure boats and lots of rowers.Â
The Thames Skills and Knowledge (TSK) Course was developed to prepare you for safe and confident independent SUP paddling on the Thames Tideway. Active360 designed this course in cooperation with the Port of London Authority (PLA) in 2014 and we have delivered to hundreds of paddlers since. TSK 1 is delivered in a blended mode of 3 interactive Zoom Sessions (total time around 4 hrs) and an on-water practical session (2.5hrs). We also run as a crash course (in person).Â
You will learn about Thames Tideway navigation rules, tides, weather conditions affecting SUP paddling, SUP equipment best suited for the river, positioning, risks and how to reduce, night paddling and trip planning using the tides. We discuss the PLA’s Code of Practice for Paddling on The Tideway in depth on the TSK 1 course.
TSK 2 is only available to very experienced paddlers and we don’t run it often. Going through Central London on a SUP should not be taken lightly. It requires permissions and usually an LKE qualified kayaker to guide SUPs through. There are also strict time limitations to entering Central London on SUPs.
Background
Active 360 have been operating on the Tideway since 2011 on Stand Up Paddleboards but Paddling and coaching on the Tideway (mainly Kayaking) since 1997. Find out more about the Active 360 team here.
Find out about the origins of the Thames Skills and Knowledge course including the pilot in 2015 –Â https://supboardermag.com/2017/01/04/paddle-central-london-update/Â
Quite a few of our experienced SUP paddlers who completed TSK training went on to completing their SUP Coach training with us. If you are also interested in becoming a SUP coach on the Tideway, check out our Coach Training page and Get in Touch!
Please note due to a change in the guidelines for paddling on the Tideway the Thames Skills & Knowledge 1 & 2 courses have been on hold since Spring 2024 until futher notice/clarification. Please contact the PLA (Port of London Authority) or Paddle UK for advice on current restrictions for SUP on the tideway.
We are however still running Training on The Tideway & guided trips for anyone looking to paddle safely on the Tideway. We can also deliver a TSK and SUP/Kayak Safety focused and extended private session for small groups or individuals – from our Kew Bridge base on the Tideway. Get in touch for more info or come and paddle with us on the Tideway!
“The River Thames is tidal below Teddington and is a busy commercial waterway. If you want to stand up paddle here it is essential to have the correct knowledge and skills. Paul and the team from Active 360 run the excellent Thames Skills and Knowledge (TSK) course which provides everything you need to know to paddle here. Highly recommended”.Â
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Tripadvisor
Gain Tidal River knowledge in Thames Skills and Knowledge Courses with Active360
Competency and safety is a priority!
Join us on a one way trip from Kew Bridge to Cremorne Gardens in Chelsea. We will be paddling with the outgoing Ebb tide through Barnes, Hammersmith, Putney and stopping just before Battersea Bridge. We will look at navigation and traffic patterns in the restricted SUP area between Putney and Chelsea. This trip is around 12.5km and will take around 2.5hrs including a short stop on the way.
- Good experience on tidal waters
- Age 18+
- Coach Led
- Own equipment or board hire
- Board length 12' minimum
A one way TSK 1 trip from Cremorne Gardens in Chelsea and finishing at Kew Bridge. Starting in the SUP restricted section of the Tideway we will be paddling with the start of the incoming flood tide through Wandsworth, Putney, Hammersmith, Barnes, and on to Kew Bridge. This trip is around 12.5km and will take around 2.5hrs including a short stop on the way.
- Good experience on tidal waters
- Age 18+
- Coach Led
- Own equipment or board hire
- Board length 12' minimum
TSK 1 Practical
In this practical TSK 1 session you will be able to put your theoretical knowledge from the online sessions into practice. Under the guidance of a very experienced coach you will go against the tide and work the slacks with the rowers. You will be required to show understanding of the navigation rules and discuss the right positioning on the river. You will have a chance to ask questions and clarify anything you are unsure of. Talk about equipment and try more challenging boards.
- Experience necessary
- TSK 1 Online completed
- Equipment is provided
- Own equipment by arrangement
- Small groups only
TSK 1 Theory (online)
Learn about the Thames tides, how weather and tide conditions interact and have a direct bearing on safety, navigation rules on the Tidal Thames including the Upper Tide Code Area and ‘Working the Slacks’, specific river hazards and how to avoid them, trip preparation and planning, essential safety equipment and paddling skills to ensure you are staying safe while paddling independently or with friends on the Tideway.Â
- Experience necessary
- Thames tides and weather
- Navigation rules
- River traffic
- Risks and hazards
- SUP safety equipment
- Essential SUP skills
- Essential river safety skills
- Trip planning
- 3 online sessions
TSK & Training
Rough SUP Confidence Building Workshop
How it works
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Enjoy your day!
TSK & Coach Training
Welcome to Thames Skills & Knowledge and Coach Training with Active360
The Thames in London – right up to Teddington Lock is tidal with on of the biggest tidal ranges in the world. Â This means strong currents affected by varied weather conditions and specific risks to manage. The Tidal Thames (called Thames Tideway) is also a busy stretch of river with commercial traffic, pleasure boats and lots of rowers.Â
The Thames Skills and Knowledge (TSK) Course is designed to prepare you for safe and confident independent SUP paddling on the Thames Tideway. Active360 designed this course in cooperation with the Port of London Authority (PLA) in 2014 and we have run it many times since. TSK 1 is a PLA requirement for night paddling on the Tideway and you will need to complete it to paddle downriver of Putney Pier. TSK 1 is delivered in a blended mode of 3 interactive Zoom Sessions (total time around 4 hrs) and an on-water practical session.Â
You will learn about Thames Tideway navigation rules, tides, weather conditions affecting SUP paddling, SUP equipment best suited for the river, positioning, risks and how to reduce, night paddling and trip planning using the tides. We discuss the PLA’s Code of Practice for Paddling on The Tideway in depth on the TSK 1 course.
TSK 2 is required to paddle downriver of Chelsea Bridge. TSK 2 is only available to very experienced paddlers and we don’t run it often. Going through Central London on a SUP should not be taken lightly. It requires permissions and usually an LKE qualified kayaker to guide SUPs through. There are also strict time limitations to entering Central London on SUPs.
Quite a few of our experienced SUP paddlers who completed TSK 1 training went on to completing their SUP Coach training with us. If you are also interested in becoming a SUP coach, check out or Coach Training page and Get in Touch!Â
‘I’ve just completed the TSK1 course (adapted for Zoom) and now feel more confident going out on the river both with the club and independently. Thanks Active360!’
Anna Richardson