The Thames Stand-up Paddle Board Challenge

The Thames Stand-up Paddle Board Challenge: 26th July 2014

London’s biggest mass participation charity water sports event returns for its second year!

Following a successful launch in 2013, London’s biggest mass participation charity watersports event “The Thames Stand-up Paddle Board challenge” returns to the River Thames on the 26th July 2014.

On a glorious august bank holiday weekend in 2013, 85 stand-up paddlers completed a 6km race between Kew and Hammersmith Bridges, raising upwards of £5,000 for charity in the process.

This year, on July 26th, the challenge returns bigger, better and bolder. An expanded course will offer a 20km marathon for seasoned paddlers, a 6km paddle will offer participation for all levels and an after-party and live music hosted by Harbour Beer will prolong festivities long into the night.

“Isiqalo are hugely thankful for the event, last year we managed to raise the charity £5,000 and we hope to double that this year!” said charity founder, Tim Conibear.

The Thames Stand Up Paddle Board Challenge is hosted by Friends of Isiqalo UK, and the Ticket to Ride Group. Friends of Isiqalo UK is a registered UK Charity that supports the work of the Isiqalo Foundation in South Africa and its flagship programme “Waves for Change”. Waves for Change builds safe hubs on some of South Africa’s most dangerous township beaches and trains local community members to provide extra social, health and educational care to the most excluded children and young adults.

“We’re hugely excited to be bringing this event back for the second year. It sold out almost immediately last year, and was a huge success, and it is only going to be bigger and better this year!” Said event co-ordinator , and Ticket to Ride co-founder Linley Lewis

On the day, a 20 Km race will leave from Shepperton at 8am and finish at Hammersmith Bridge, where an after party will be held at Linden House. 20 competitive places are available priced at £35 pp. Marathon paddlers will be joined by members of the Waves for Change programme who will be visiting from Cape Town.

A shorter 6 km race will make use of the tides to offer a round-trip to and from Hammersmith Bridge, launching and finishing from Linden House. 100 places are on offer priced from £30.

Entry to the Thames Stand Up Paddle Board Challenge is by ticket only, and there are still opportunities for brands, companies and organisations to hold stalls at the event. The event sold put early last year, and early bookings are advised. A limited number of early bird tickets are on offer for £25 pp.