Adventurer Ed Pratt has completed a solo mission to travel the length of the River Thames from source to sea. He recorded a daily video about his trek on Youtube and raised about £22,000 in funds and awareness for The Rivers Trust. The Trust’s mission is to improve the health of our precious rivers which as we know are not in good health.
The social media star set himself one rule, to follow the course of the river exactly. Ed started his journey at Thames Head, in Gloucestershire, in June, and finished at Sheerness on 18 July. For the first few days he had to wade through muddy, vegetation-rich water, while stooping under the arches of small bridges. He picked his kayak up in Cricklade, Wiltshire, on day four, once the river became more navigable.
Ed recorded a daily video about his journey. Ed stuck to his mission and continued along the Thames, even going through the many locks instead of around them. During the grueling miles, he fell in, came across sunken boats and wild camped most nights… unless there was a kind offer of a bed for the night. He came across plastic pollution which, as any Big Paddle Clean-up volunteer will explain, is a major problem in our rivers.
The adventurer paddled through Oxford, Maidenhead, Henley, Windsor, Shepperton before reaching the busy London section. He was even invited to stay in the captain’s cabin of HMS Wellington. Finally, he arrived at Sheerness, nineteen days after setting off.He said on his Youtube channel: “I sent off from a dry field in Gloucestershire, to try and cover the full length of the Thames, source to sea, without leaving the river. We made it. Honestly, I’m so relieved to have landed. It was tough the last five miles because I could see this beach. It just didn’t seem to be getting any nearer… Thank you if you have donated to the Rivers Trust. I’m going to get some sleep!”
Please wait while we log you out of Paddle UK Services Login sites
Save over £80 on your waterways licencesOpen up over 4,500km of waterways for as little as £29 a year
To canoe, kayak or paddle board on many rivers and canals you need a licence. Purchased individually, licences would cost you around £150.
Membership of Paddle UK offers you licences covering 4,500km of waterways in England and Wales for as little as £29-£60 per year. Learn more and join now using the button below.
British Canoeing membership comes with a waterways licence. So, Canoe, Kayak, or SUP, if you love paddling and care about waterways, join our community today.
Save money on a licence for 4,500km of waterways
Be covered by public liability insurance - plus discounts on craft insurance
If you're an England or non-UK resident seeking individual membership for the first time then use the British Canoeing RapidJoin service below. Start by entering your postcode, or country if you are non-UK.
Joining using RapidJoin below you'll purchase On The Water membership. You can find the full list of benefits here. You will be asked your date of birth and allocated the correct membership type for your age. Prices are:
Your personal data will only be used for administering your application and providing you with your membership services. Please see the British Canoeing Privacy Centre here for more details on how we manage your data.
Member Add-Ons - One Time Offer!
As a joining member you can benefit from discounts on paddling magazines. These offers are ONLY AVAILABLE NOW. They will cost you more if you purchase them in future. Don't miss out. Take the opportunity to benefit from these great deals now.
Accidental damage included. Excludes denting and bruising while in transit
Please make a selection in each section
No perks! Are you sure...?
Sorry to interrupt your flow. But, before moving to payment, we just wanted to check that you didn't want any member add-ons.
It's the last time you'll be able to purchase great paddling magazines with discounts? They offer advice that helps you get the most from your paddling.
Use the back button below so you don't miss out. Or hit the next button to go to payment.
Welcome to British Canoeing
You should receive your membership pack through the post in the next 7 days. But you can get on the water today. Download your card as a PDF using the button below, and use it as proof of your membership and waterways licence.
Your membership number is 123456
Please spend a few seconds to let us know how we are doing. Your feedback will help us improve.