Thames River Relay September 2016

The first stand up paddleboard (SUP) Source to Sea relay on the River Thames is being held in September 2016 as part of the Totally Thames Festival. The festival is a celebration of this vital and mighty river. The relay will be one of more than a hundred events held over the month. The relay has the following aims:

River Health and Plastic Pollution

To raise awareness of the river’s health, especially the epidemic of plastic pollution in our waterways and oceans. This is a global issue that we will bring to the forefront of the relay through education, clean-ups and partnerships with key environmental organisations on the river.

Recreation

To engage and encourage people to use the river recreationally and, most importantly, to have fun on our waterways. Stand up paddleboarding is an emerging sport and is accessible and easy to learn, which makes it an ideal choice for the relay. Using SUP we hope to highlight the relationship between recreation and water conservation.

Community

To be an inclusive and diverse event where people of all ages, abilities and experience will be invited to participate.