The Thameside Series is a pair of marathon races held over the winter months. It provides a great opportunity for winter paddling and getting marathon training in well ahead of the coming summer. Often used by paddlers (in conjunctions with Newbury Canoe Clubs Waterside Series) as preparation training for the Devizes to Westminster race over Easter weekend. Thameside 1 starts on the Kennet and Avon Canal in Aldermaston and travels down the remaining canal to where it joins the Thames on the north side of Reading, a small upstream stretch on the Thames brings paddlers to the finish line at Reading Canoe Club. Two weeks later paddlers can return for Thameside 2, setting off from the Promenade opposite Reading Canoe Club and finishing at our newly found finish point of Bisham Abbey Sailing and Navigation School just upstream of Marlow.
2026 Thameside 2 – 1st March 2026 – CANCELLED
While the weather has improved a bit recently, the state of the Thames is still nowhere near anything that would provide for a safe race so with a heavy heart, we need to cancel the Thameside 2 race scheduled for the 1st of March. As previously and always, the safety of all paddlers is our top priority. It’s a shame that the weather has not been kind to us this year. Please read our message about the cancellation here: 2026 Thameside 2 CANCELLED – Reading Canoe Club
2026 Thameside 1 – 15th February 2026 – CANCELLED
It is with sadness we share that due to the ongoing weather conditions and their impact on our waterways, we have to cancel our Thameside 1 race that was scheduled for Sunday, February 15th. Safety of all paddlers is the top priority and the current conditions do not allow for a safe race. Please read our message about the cancellation here: 2026 Thameside 1 CANCELLED – Reading Canoe Club