Bray Lake Watersports When passage permits , lake users can access the Thames from the cut behind the clubhouse . Portage is via a platform down a few steps and , if you are lucky , you may get a glimpse of the elusive but beautiful kingfishers .
Once on the river , it ’ s upstream to Monkey Island , Bray Lock , Maidenhead and Boulters Lock or downstream past the iconic Bray Film Studios , Oakley Court Hotel , Windsor Racecourse and the Church of St Mary Magdalene at Boveney before arriving in Windsor with an iconic view of the castle on your approach to the town .
Hurley Village Off-road parking is available near the church , with a short walk along the footpath to the lock for launching . Portage is clearly marked next to the public toilets . From here , you can go upstream to Hambledon and Henley , downstream to Marlow and Cookham or enjoy a gentle paddle around the islands to Hurley Weir . Hurley is home of a former Benedictine Priory , and The Olde Bell Inn , in part dates to 1135 , was a hostelry to the Priory .
Cookham The start of the Bray Lake Christmas Paddle for some years now , stopping at Boulters Lock for hot chocolate and mince pies before finishing at the lake . There is on-road parking , and the launch is via a slipway next to the Ferry Inn next to Cookham Bridge . Upstream is Marlow , passing the Bounty , an ideal stop off for a locally brewed beer or lunch . Downstream you pass below the beautiful Cliveden House before reaching Boulters Lock , with its picnic area , café and public toilets . Cookham is recorded in the Domesday Book as Cocheham and was most notably the home of artist Stanley Spencer ( for whom there is a permanent exhibition ).
Runnymede There is the main car park with its café and public toilets , but there are several options for parking along this stretch of the river and various opportunities to launch from the bank . Going upstream , you will paddle alongside Prince Albert ’ s Walk in the extensive grounds of Windsor Castle , passing the end of the Jubilee River before reaching Windsor itself . In 1215 , Runnymede was the site for the sealing of the Magna Carta .
www . braylake . com
BUDE , NORTH CORNWALL
Summer paddling in the UK means surfing , and there is no better or more traditional venue for surf kayaking than Bude in north Cornwall . Kayakers have been coming to Bude since the 1960s with their September pilgrimage known across the country as Bude Week . Indeed Bude has such a high international reputation that it will be hosting the World Surf Kayaking Championships in September 2022 .
With numerous beaches and bays both north and south of Bude , you ’ ll be able to find the best waves for everyone . To the north and at low tide , Sandymouth and Northcott Mouth offer vast stretches of sandy coastline and less busy waters . Northcott Mouth , in particular , is worth the visit just for the Cornish cream tea at its rustic tea garden !
Bude itself has a choice of three beaches , with Crooklets Beach being the most exposed and home of Bude ’ s famous Surf Life Saving Club , the first lifeguard club in the country . Middle Beach is a bit rocky at high tide but sandy at low . Then between the river and the seawater swimming pool is Summerleaze Beach , busy with tourists and swimmers during the day ; it is an excellent venue either for an early morning or evening session . With a small swell , Summerleaze can be the best beach in the world for learning , but with a larger swell can be technical and dangerous , especially as the tides and rip currents pass the half-tide cross at Cross Rock .
Follow the coast road South for a couple of miles , and you ’ ll arrive at the venue for the 2022 World Surf kayaking Championships . Widemouth Bay is a vast sandy beach attracting all types of surfer . It can be busy , but it can also provide surf all day long with various peaks to choose from . Black Rock Beach is at the southern end of Widemouth and will be the venue for the World Championships . It has its facilities and access and can be a little quieter than the main beach , undoubtedly worth visiting .
Get organised before you come down . There are no kayak retailers in Bude , the closest being 45 minutes down the A39 , but plenty of surf shops . The website Magicseaweed will give you some valuable weather and swell forecasts before you leave home . For most novice surf paddlers , a swell forecast of 1-3 feet will be perfect . A map of the area and a £ 2 local tide time booklet are great when you are here . Talk to the local surfers , lifeguards and paddlers as they are a great source of the hour by hour knowledge and will know exactly where to go for the best waves at the best tides . And finally , make sure you understand and abide by good surfing etiquette ; let ’ s make sure Bude remains a friendly and welcoming place to surf .
For local information , you can always contact Bude resident Simon Hammond , former World Surf Kayak Champion and author of the book Surf Kayaking : The Essential Guide . He runs a small kayak coaching business in the town called Shoreline Extreme Sports and is always happy to provide help or advice . Email :
info @ shorelineactivities . co . uk Web : www . shorelineactivities . co . uk Tel : 01288 354039
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