Increase your knowledge and safety awareness. Or become a coach and join the team.

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. 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.

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 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.

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.

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!

Locations

Kew Bridge

The original home
of SUP in London.

“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”.

Tripadvisor

Gain Tidal River knowledge in Thames Skills and Knowledge Courses with Active360

Competency and safety is a priority!

TSK 1 trained paddlers only

TSK 1 Trips

Longer trips for paddlers who completed TSK 1 only. The Thames Skills & Knowledge 1 course enables paddlers to start planning trips downriver of Putney Bridge up to Chelsea Bridge. We are currently running one way trips between Kew and Chelsea for TSK Paddlers.

TSK 1 Theory & Practical Crash Course

We have brought the Thames Skills & Knowledge 1 course back offline! Since rennovating our Kew Bridge site (and Covid) we are now able to run courses in person with a suitable indoor space for a classroom/theory section.

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.

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.

TSK 1 Theory (online)

TSK & Training

Rough SUP Confidence Building Workshop

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad veniam, nostrud mattis luctus.

How it works

Choose Location

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, adipiscing elit ut elit tellus, luctus mattis consectetur.

Pick your activity

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, adipiscing elit ut elit tellus, luctus mattis consectetur.

Book Online

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, adipiscing elit ut elit tellus, luctus mattis consectetur.

Enjoy your day!

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, adipiscing elit ut elit tellus, luctus mattis consectetur.

TSK & Coach Training

Welcome to Thames Skills & Knowledge and Coach Training with Active360

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.

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.

Locations