Tuesdays and Thursdays
The Sharks have arrived in Thamesmead and we are starting regular evening sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Lesson, Coaching and Fun
Initially we will be offering three introductory sessions. The cost will be just £6 per session, with no up front costs or expensive kit to buy. Interested, then get in touch: call/text: 07951 770241 or email: thamesmead@thesharks.org.uk.
Our aim is to establish a paddlesports club, with recreational and competitive sections. This is a long-term project which will develop and evolve to suit the needs of teh local community but let’s start with:
Youngsters
From 4pm to 5pm we will have young people only sessions, we define this as people of school age. The sessions are suitable for people in Y3 and above.
Families and mixed ages
5pm till 6pm will be open to people of any age, so families can attend and do lessons and sessions together.
Adults only
At 7pm, we will run an adults only session, that is for people over 18 years of age.
The Future …
Once we have established our regular sessions we will add more activities on, so that people attending can progress at their own pace and enjoy paddling the way they want to, whether it be for fitness, social paddling or in one of our competitive squads:
Sprint Racing
We will use the fantastic facilities at Thamesmead to develop a Sprint Racing Team. We will be the only club in London, with our own dedicated Sprint Lake, so let us make the most of the opportunity!
Sprint distances are usually 200metres and 500 metres.
Marathon Racing
Using slime fast boats, like the sprint boats, Marathon Racing is taking things a bit further. For youngsters races start at 2k for under 12s; 4k for under 14s and 8k is entry level for everybody else, increasing to 21k for top level ranking events.
There are also some special even longer races, for those who really like a challenge, including the 125 mile Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race, reputed to be the toughest canoe race in the World.
Slalom
We already have an active slalom team and will be looking to install permanent flat water slalom gates at Southmere in the near future, so we can get paddlers to try this discipline. We will also look at using other nearby sites to help us develop paddlers.
Wild Water Racing
The Sharks are already London’s top Wild Water Racing Club, just think how good we can be with the addition of paddlers from Thamesmead?
Canoe Polo
We will be looking at establishing a Canoe Polo Team at Thamesmead from 2026, we will invest in providing the equipment and infrastructure needed to bring this exciting game to Southmere.
And Much, much more to come …
This is just the start, we can get these activities up and running and over time we will add more, including from this Summer Open Water Swimming at Birchmere Lake.
After School Clubs
We will run after school clubs, we would like to link these with schools, so if your school is interested, please do get in touch. Call/text on 07951 770241 or email: Thamesmead@thesharks.org.uk.
Partnerships
The Sharks has built it success through working with partners, and we are very pleased to be working with Peabody Housing on this project, however, we are always looking for more partners, to help us grow, to reach more people and to excel. Can you help? Do you want to work with us to improve what we can offer? The Sharks are a not-for-profit organisation, we aim to provide affordable opportunities for people to have fun ad to reach their full potential. We need your help to succeed, so please do get in touch and help us build something very special in Thamesmead.
Call/text on 07951 770241 or email: Thamesmead@thesharks.org.uk.
Published 10th May 2025