Paddling the Thames 200 Ultra: An Epic SUP Adventure

Photos by Henry Carter 

In just over a week’s time, at the quiet upper reaches of the River Thames, stand-up paddleboarders will line up along the grassy banks of Lechlade. Kayaks, canoes, surf skis, and prone boards will join the mix and this moment marks the start of something extraordinary. The Thames 200 Ultra isn’t just a race; it’s the longest continuous paddle challenge in Europe and for SUP racers, it’s a unique blend of endurance, skill, and sheer determination. 

What makes this race special for SUP 

The Thames 200 Ultra covers over 200 km from Lechlade to Teddington Lock, with a total elevation drop of about 100 metres. That might not sound like much, but for paddlers, it means constantly shifting currents, winding meanders, and – perhaps most challenging of all – more than 40 portages around locks. 

What sets this event apart for stand-up paddlers is how inclusive and adaptable it is. Racers can enter in solo, doubles, or team relay formats. For slower craft like SUPs and prone boards, organisers offer an optional early start at 10:00 am, giving extra time to reach checkpoints before cut-offs. Whether you’re chasing a personal best, teaming up with friends, or simply testing your limits, the race is designed to welcome you onto the water. 

The SUP experience on the Thames 

From a paddleboarder’s point of view, this race is a living, flowing story. 

The first kilometres wind through narrow, rural stretches and legs and core settle into the rhythm, balancing against the board’s gentle movements. Unlike kayaks or canoes, SUP demands constant micro-adjustments – every ripple, gust, or passing boat challenges your stance. It’s part sport, part moving meditation! 

By the time you reach the mid-section around Oxford and Reading, the river broadens and the character changes. Bridges and boat moorings add variety, while the current quickens in some stretches and slows to a mirror-calm in others. You’ll pass centuries-old pubs, grand houses, and long lines of rowing crews training for regattas. Beauty never comes without effort and here, the locks and portages begin to test your grit. 

For SUP racers, a portage isn’t just a hop of the board. You’ll be lifting, carrying, and sometimes even running with your board to re-launch efficiently and the lock landings involve steep, high drop-offs. At night, under headlamp beams, these moments become part of the adventure. 

Grit and camaraderie 

In the 2024, at the inaugural Thames 200 Ultra, only nine SUP and prone paddlers started. Four crossed the finish line. The first-ever SUP record – an incredible 29 hours 19 minutes – was set by Gavin Symonds, whose feat has already become part of UK paddling history. 

The stories from last year’s racers reveal what makes this challenge special. SUP paddlers Alexandra Tyrer-Lomas and Emily King paddled much of the route side by side, sharing encouragement through darkness and fatigue. For some, the night paddling is the most surreal experience: the river ahead lit by a narrow beam of your headtorch, the sounds of wildlife in the dark, the occasional twinkle of riverside lights in the distance. At 3 a.m., fatigue can be overwhelming. It’s at times like this, that you feel that total connection to the environment. 

Race logistics and support 

Despite its formidable length, the Thames 200 Ultra is fully supported. Checkpoints appear roughly every 30 km, where friendly volunteers provide water, hot drinks, and food and where relay teams can swap paddlers or even change craft. GPS tracking keeps participants visible to organisers and followers at home. 

Paddlers quickly learn the art of efficient pit stops: re-fueling without cooling down too much, swapping hydration bladders, and stretching tight muscles without losing momentum. The clock never stops, so every minute spent on land is a strategic choice. 

Paddling the Thames by SUP 

The Thames is definitely a moving feast; the upper stretches feel remote, mid-way becomes more urban and you begin to share the water with more craft and as you approach the finish at Teddington, the river widens and becomes much busier as you push for the end. Mid-way, this race is beautifully timed with the Reading Festival and last year, Craig Sawyer felt this was a huge boost to his paddling, rocking along the water with banging tunes and lights aplenty. The festival goers must have wondered what on earth was going on! 

You also need to keep your wits about you, constantly adapting to crosswinds, boat wakes and being able to read the river – the constant awareness and decision making become exhausting and not just physically. 

There’s the mental game. After 150 km, your legs ache, your shoulders burn, and your focus can waver. But the lift from knowing you’ve made it this far means each paddle stroke carries you closer to the final point, and paddlers often raise their stroke rate for the last few 100 metres. 

Why should you consider the Thames 200 Ultra 

This race is more than an endurance event; it’s a rite of passage for UK paddlers. It blends athletic challenge, natural beauty, and the camaraderie of a shared journey. It pushes you physically and mentally but rewards you with moments few others will ever experience. 

For SUP racers, the Thames 200 Ultra is a proving ground. It’s a chance to test gear, pacing, and strategy over ultra-distance. It’s also a masterclass in resilience – the kind of race where you learn not just how far you can paddle, but how deep you can dig. 

And perhaps most importantly, it’s fun. Even in the toughest moments, you’re part of a floating community, swapping encouragement at checkpoints, sharing smiles with fellow paddlers, and cheering each other across the line. 

Final strokes 

By the time the finish line comes into view at Teddington Lock, the journey has already changed you. You’ve paddled through sunrise, sunset, and deep into the night. You’ve seen the Thames in all its moods – calm, windswept, busy, and utterly still. When you step off your board for the last time, medal in hand, you’ll know you’ve been part of something rare. 

Whether you’re an experienced SUP racer or a curious paddler looking for your next challenge, the Thames 200 Ultra is worth putting on your calendar. For 2025, entries are open, and August will be here before you know it. If this year feels too soon, follow the GPS tracker, watch the stories unfold, and start planning for 2026. 

And if you feel going solo is too daunting, grab a team together and test it out with them. You may find that next year, who are then better prepared for the whole thing. Certainly, do not under-estimate this race – some adventures are worth standing up for and this is one of them. 

We had the pleasure of interviewing Race Director, Keith Moule in 2024, just after the inaugural race, and you can watch it in full here YouTube Interview with Keith Moule