A lovely little look back on Tidefests from the past !
Tidefest Memories
Paddle Boarding at Tidefest 2025
Stand Up Paddle Boarding is one of the countries fastest growing sports and it’s a brillinat way to get afloat on the Thames and see the river from a different perspective.
Our Friends at Active360 will be running four different paddle boarding activities during Tidefest
- Paddle & Pick River and foreshore clean up (1.5hrs) – 12.30pm (age 14+)
he River Thames is on the mend after decades of toxic overflow, neglect and mismanagement. Birdlife and marine life are returning to the river, with regular sightings of seals and even dolphins. However, the sustainability of the Thames is under threat from growing plastic pollution entering the river and threatening birdlife and contaminating marine life.
Join us for a paddle and river clean up heading out around the local islands at Low tide where we will be stopping along the way to pick litter from the foreshore, trees and the water. You must have some previous paddling experience to join this session as although guided it does not include a lesson. You can always join one of our group sessions to get some experience and learn the basics first.
This session is only suitable for adults children age 14+
- Intro to safe paddling on the Thames Tideway (50 mins) – 11am, 12midday, 1pm (age 11+)
These intro to safe paddling sessions start at our base in Kew Bridge on the tidal Thames. You will learn about SUP safety and navigation rules and this is a good starting point for any safe Tideway paddling whether you are looking to paddle independently, join a club or rent from us on the Thames.
We start with a safety briefing where we discuss tides, navigation rules and safety on the Tideway before heading out on the water – after a short on land lesson for anyone with little or no previous paddleboarding experience.
We will either be paddling up towards Old Isleworth/Richmond or down towards Barnes/Hammersmith – this depends on whether we are paddling around high or low tide. Both routes are rich in wildlife and history.
This stand up paddleboard session is suitable for beginners and adults of all abilities and ages. These sessions are only suitable for adults and children age 11+
- Natural History tour (2hrs) – 2.45pm (ages 14+)
Join us as for a Thames Natural History Tour, as we explore the wonderful wildlife of the River Thames. The river was once biologically dead, all life extinguished by industrial pollution, but since the 1970s wildlife has been returning, and thriving. And we’re on a mission to find it.
The Thames is now home to more than 125 species of fish, which in turn support two species of seal, deep-diving cormorants, stealthy grey herons and more. Stand up paddleboarding allows us to enjoy a unique perspective of the river’s wildlife, immersing ourselves in nature.
As we paddle, you will also learn about the natural history and ecology of the Thames, and the issues that still threaten this iconic waterway.
Not suitable for anyone under the age of 14yrs.
- Paddle to the pub (2hrs) – 2.45pm (ages 18+)
We will be paddling out with the last of the Ebb (Low) tide up towards Barnes stopping at the Ship Pub in Mortlake next to the Old Stag Brewery. We will stop for a refreshment break whilst waiting for the tide to turn. We will then glide back with the start of the Flood (High) tide.
This stand up paddleboard session is suitable for beginners and adults of all abilities and ages. The River Thames is a tidal river and so the conditions may not be suitable for participants under the age of 16. Please contact us directly if you would like to book a child onto your session. You will need to be able to swim and be confident in the water. Certain level of flexibility and ability to get up to standing from kneeling is required for learning to paddleboard.
This session will start and finish at our base inside Kew Bridge.
Tidesfest Gallery
Photos from previous Tidefests
Mike Smith RIP
We are sad to report the recent death of Mike Smith, one of the early Tidefest angling regulars. Mike won the coveted Tidefest Angling Championship in 2017 with a fine net of bream and used to help with the competition organisation.
His son Clive says:
“My father Mike Smith sadly passed away on the 19th of September after a long illness. He had been fishing since he was a boy and always loved the Thames, we fished regularly at Kingston and Molesey. He competed in Tidefest on many occasions and even managed to win it once. He will be sorely missed by all of his friends at the Uxbridge Rovers and his family as well.”
Mike’s friend and colleague from Uxbridge Rovers Angling Club, Bob Lane, added his own tribute saying:
“We at URACS are still in shock following the passing of our former Match Captain Mike Smith. Mike joined URACS in the 80’s accompanied by his son Clive, they regularly attended the Club matches and soon became an integral part of the Match Group.
Mike was a very competitive all round angler and figured regularly in our club Championship Competition, he was also a past Tidefest Winner held at Kew.
Mike always wanted everybody to have a good peg on our matches, so he undertook the role of Match Captain, a role which he did successfully, whilst the match participants were enjoying their Breakfast, he would be walking the match Venue length making sure we all had a reasonable looking peg.
On behalf of all the membership of URACS as past Chairman and now President it was a total privilege to have Mike as a close angling friend and colleague,
On a personal note I had the pleasure of spending many holidays with Mike on his beloved River Ebro, where became a well respected guide in the Amposta Area, due to his knowledge of the area I was able to land my biggest Catfish of 149lbs,
The void in our lives and URACS Match Group is immeasurable following Mike’s passing, firstly he was nice person, a talented angler, a great club person, a true Gentlemen and friend.
Thank you for so many wonderful memories Mike, get the venues ready for when we meet up again in the great unknown
R.I. P. Mike”
Bob Lane President URACS
Our Amazing Angling Competition
Angling Competition
Some of the top anglers in the south will be competing for the annual Tidefest Trophy at Strand on the Green, Chiswick and Barnes.
Even if you don’t want to fish, why not come down and watch.. there are some amazing fish to be caught from the Thames.
Tickets are £20 and available through theAngling Trust at – https://anglingtrust.net/competitions/tidefest-sunday-14th-september-2025/
Fishing is from 10.30am to 3.30pm and spectators are welcome for free.
Thames Tidefest 2024
COME ALONG AND ENJOY THE RIVER !
Sunday 8th September 2024 Running from 10am to 5pm Thames Tidefest is a celebration of the River
Thames. Based at Strand on the Green, Chiswick it’s a day packed
with great activities for all the family with paddleboarding, kayaking,
river dipping, angling competition, seine netting, foreshore artefacts
display, book signing by Lara Maiklem (London Mudlark), and live
fish tanks. Come along and learn more about London’s River.
Meet Lara The Mudlark !
The London Mudlark, Lara Maiklem, will be at Tidefest this year on Sunday, September 8th signing copies of her new book – A Mudlarking Year: Finding Treasure in Every Season (Bloomsbury, 2024)
“Lara wanders the shores of the River Thames at low tide, searching for lost and forgotten objects that tell tales of the past and bring forgotten Londoners to life.”
Come along to the marquee at Strand on the Green between 12 and 3pm to learn more about the fascinating history of London’s river.
Book Canoe & Kayak Taster Session 2024
If you’ve never been in a canoe or kayak before this is your chance! If you’ve had a go before and want to try it again, then this is for you too!
We will be running family canoe sessions and adult (age 16+) kayak sessions on the Thames. We provide boats, paddles, buoyancy aids and qualified coaches to guide you as you explore the Thames all for just £5 per boat.
Your session will last around 1 hour and 15 minutes in total: first we will ask you to complete a short form, fit you in a buoyancy aid and boat and brief you on safety and paddling technique. Then you will be out on the water for about 45 minutes. Please do make sure you arrive on time or you will likely lose your slot. Arrive early if you need to change.
• Kayaks are for one person aged 16 or over. Meet times 10:45 or 14:30.
• A family canoe is typically for 2 adults and 1 or 2 children. At least one person must be over 18. The second person should be over 16. Children will be under 16 and old enough to follow instructions. If you are not sure if a canoe is suitable for your group or have any other questions, feel free to contact us on kitofficer@edgepaddling.com. Meet times 12:00 and 13:15
For further deatils and to book CLICK HERE
Book Paddleboarding at Tidefest 2024
Whether you’ve paddleboarded before, or are an absolute begginner, Thames Tidefest is a great pleace to get on the water and SUP !
We are offerring two Stand Up Paddleboard experiences this year.
Paddle & Pick Litter Clean Up: The River Thames is on the mend after decades of toxic overflow, neglect and mismanagement. Birdlife and marine life are returning to the river, with regular sightings of seals and even dolphins. However, the sustainability of the Thames is under threat from growing plastic pollution entering the river and threatening birdlife and contaminating marine life.
Join us for a river clean up as part of our first Kew Bridge open day of 2024!
We will start with a lesson for anyone who needs one before heading out around the local islands where we will be stopping along the way to pick litter from the foreshore, trees and the water. For more details and to book CLICK HERE
PADDLE TO THE PUB: We will be paddling out with the last of the Ebb (Low) tide up towards Barnes stopping at the Ship Pub in Mortlake next to the Old Stag Brewery. We will stop for a refreshment break whilst waiting for the tide to turn. We will then glide back with the start of the Flood (High) tide.
This stand up paddleboard session is suitable for beginners and adults of all abilities and ages. The River Thames is a tidal river and so the conditions may not be suitable for participants under the age of 16. Please contact us directly if you would like to book a child onto your session. You will need to be able to swim and be confident in the water. Certain level of flexibility and ability to get up to standing from kneeling is required for learning to paddleboard.
This session will start and finish at our base inside Kew Bridge. For further information and to book CLICK HERE
Date Announced for Tidefest 2024
We are delighted to announce that Tidefest 2024 will take place on Sunday September 8th at Strand on the Green, Chiswick. We are hoping all the usual activities will be on offer but will confirm the programme over the next couple of months.
We look forward to seeing you in September !
Tidefest Angling Championships Results
For the second year running quality roach rather than bream provided the winning catches in the annual 40 peg contest fished on the tidal Thames at Kew, Chiswick and Barnes.
The winner was Tony Rice with a float caught mixed bag of 14lbs from Barnes netting him a cool £400. The Chiswick zone was won by last years champion Mark Brush with 12lbs of roach including a magnificent specimen of 2.04. The big bream shoals failed to show at Kew resulting in much lower than usual weights although a couple of surprise sea trout were landed.
Zones
Kew A – Martin Smith 6.08
Kew B – Tom Bolton 5.00
Chiswick – C – Mark Brush 12.00
Barnes – D – Tony Rice 14.00
Other activities included kayaking, paddle boarding, river dipping and Seine netting which turned up big numbers of small bass as well flounders and coarse fish.
The match was organised by the Angling Trust and Tidefest is sponsored by Thames Water