More coaching, clubs and better booking facilities are at the heart
of a drive to double sports participation on the tidal Thames.

Along with Sport England and London Sport, we are spearheading the plans after a recent survey found that more than 19,000
people take part in water sports
on the Thames each year. More than half the sporting clubs/facilities along the river are reporting increasing memberships and the new drive is aimed at further boosting participation.

The three partners commissioned the research after the Thames Vision, the PLA-led development framework for the river over the next 20 years, identified untapped

potential for people to get out and enjoy more water sports. (The full report in PDF format is available here).

Our CEO Robin Mortimer said: “During the development of the Vision everyone involved in sports and recreation was
telling us about the huge potential to get more people
out and enjoying the Thames.

“The results of the research have helped us understand what we need to do to get more people out on the river, making the
most of the spare capacity there is in existing Thames water sports clubs.”

The partners are exploring a wide range of possibilities, to

help make the most of existing
unused capacity at Thames clubs.
The PLA will lead on some aspects
of the project; Sport England, London Sport and the National Governing Bodies (British Rowing, RYA and British Canoeing) on others.

The work is expected to include making it easier to book outings on the water, providing more coaches to help people get started on the Thames and helping more clubs to offer water sports during the day. Longer term, encouraging the development of new facilities, particularly in East London, which has very few clubs, will be a major focus.