217km Down the Thames: A Solo SUP Expedition with Ryan Owens

A couple of weeks ago, I set out on a multi-day adventure, paddling 217km solo down the River Thames from Lechlade to Richmond.

I've done several long distance trips, however, these have typically been within a controlled race environment with support. This time I wanted to do something different.

My goal was a solo, unsupported paddle, carrying everything I needed on the board, camping along the way, and tackling the river entirely on my own. It was an opportunity to spend four days in a real blue space, enjoying every kilometre, while raising money for the Canal and River Trust, who look after 2000 miles of waterways across England and Wales.

Why the River Thames?

When planning a multi-day paddle trip, conditions dictate everything. I had a couple of different routes in mind, but they relied on coastal conditions or water levels that simply weren't there this year.

Settling on the Thames was the perfect call. It offered a safe, controlled environment with reliable transport links as I got towards the finish. As this was a solo trip, I wanted to have the flexibility to adjust my plans should anything change.

The Expedition Kit

The team at Red Equipment kindly lent me a Future Series 14'0" Sport+. On previous multi-day paddles, I've used my 13'2" Voyager, however I wanted something lighter and faster. Although the Sport+ is narrower than the Voyager, it's phenomenally stable and quick. That weight difference is also a huge factor, especially when it comes to portaging, and given the sheer number of locks along this route, the Sport+ was absolutely the perfect choice.

As I was planning on 50km+ a day on average, my main paddle was the Red Equipment Ultimate Carbon Three-Piece Paddle, one of the lightest three-piece prepreg carbon paddles on the market. With thousands of paddle strokes ahead of me, every gram counted,

On the board, I carried a 60L Waterproof Kit Bag and 35L Lightweight Waterproof Backpack, a spare Prime three-piece paddle, and a kayak trolley to speed up longer portages.

The 60L bag was on the back of the board and held my evening essentials. This included a tent, sleep system, cooking gear, main meals, extra hydration and nutrition options, spare clothes, and a couple of spare fins in a side pocket.

On the front of the board, the 30L bag was packed with things I might need on the water. This included my first aid kit, slings and ropes in the side netting, some hydration and nutrition options, extra water, a lightweight extra layer, and a Red Equipment waterproof dry pouch for electronics. I also had a solar powered battery pack in a clear phone case underneath the bungees of the backpack, which let me charge whilst paddling.

As it was a hot weekend, I opted for an Airbelt PFD and hydration pack, which gave me some easy access storage options for things such as my phone in a dry pouch, extra snacks, bug spray, sunscreen, and anti-bacterial gel. I opted to carry two hydration bladders in my pack, one with electrolytes and carbohydrates, the other with clean water. Although the water levels were low and flow was minimal, I still chose to use a quick release belt and coiled leash, as this was the most appropriate setup for the environment.

Day 1: Lechlade to Oxford (30 km)

Logistics on solo trips are always a bit challenging, but after a much-appreciated lift to the start, I hit the water at Lechlade around 1:00 PM. From there, it was straight into the Wiltshire countryside.

The water was crystal clear, like paddling on glass. This stretch is pure postcard material, filled with meandering countryside, beautiful old stone bridges, and quiet riverside pubs. I kept the pace easy, knowing I had four days ahead of me and no reason to burn out early.

The highlight of the day was the canoe chute at Radcot Lock. Coming out the other side was chaos; I got dragged backwards through thorns and nettles, but miraculously managed to keep the fully loaded board upright. It was genuinely one of the funniest moments of the entire trip, one I wish I'd caught on camera. After 37 kilometres, I made camp for the night and met a couple of guys on their own multi-day adventure downriver. A different kind of challenge, but exactly the same spirit.

Day 2: Oxford to Abingdon (60 km)

A 5:00 AM wake up brought a cold start after temperatures dropped overnight. Saying my goodbyes to the other paddlers, I set off into the most incredible river mist as the sun came up. The water was so clear you could watch leaves and plants drifting beneath the board. I knew I was behind my schedule, but I made a conscious choice to stop watching the distance and just be in the journey.

The locks were brutal today. Low water levels meant many were closed, forcing me to haul the fully loaded board out by hand, walk it across, and lower it back into water that was sometimes barely a foot deep. Approaching Abingdon, the river opened up, but a headwind combined with thick plant life turned the water into a slow, soupy paddle.

The wildlife made up for the tough conditions. I saw thousands of swans and geese, along with herons, egrets, kingfishers flashing blue along the banks, birds of prey, and even a few deer. Watching the landscape shift from the city back into quiet countryside was amazing. After 14 hours on the water, I made camp for the night as it got dark.

Day 3: Abingdon to Marlow (70 km)

This was my longest stretch yet. I was on the water for 7:00 AM and had to rework my camping plans, as my original spots were too far out of reach. Thankfully, the locks were mostly open and the river really opened up from this point onwards, allowing for steadier progress despite a persistent headwind and scorching temperatures. Being a Sunday, river traffic was heavy, bringing plenty of boat wake, especially through a stunning but choppy Henley.

Food became a real consideration. I had only packed enough for three and a half days, so I rationed carefully, grabbing riverside snacks without leaving my kit unattended for long. The lock keepers were brilliant, helping haul bags and letting me run the board through the locks on a safety sling instead of fully unloading. This also gave me a nice natural break for nutrition and hydration.

The day was filled with dozens of social interactions with wonderful people; chatting with curious boaters, baffled canoeists, and a K2 crew training for ultra distances. The run through Reading was quite industrial, but approaching Marlow through the forested banks was gorgeous. I found a great spot and capped the night off under the best stars I have ever seen.

Day 4: Marlow to Richmond (57 km)

Today was the final push. I was on the water by 7:00 AM and knew I had over 50km to Richmond Bridge. This was familiar territory, as I've paddled the Windsor to Surbiton stretch plenty of times, so I knew where the portages were and where I could make up time.

After Old Windsor Lock, I met a crew training for the Thames Ultra who kindly grabbed some photos for me. Once I reached Shepperton, I dropped off my multi-day kit. The lighter load meant I could finally push the pace, helped massively by the canoe rollers on this section. However, I faced the strongest headwind of the whole trip, which properly tested me after three consecutive days of paddling.

Right at the end, approaching Richmond, a huge starling murmuration swirled overhead as the sun set. It was an unforgettable moment, one that really topped the adventure off.

Coming into Richmond itself brought live music, crowds, and proper hustle and bustle, a brilliant contrast to the quiet river where I started. I met some fellow paddlers from London Stand Up Paddle Company on the final stretch. I told them about my journey as we paddled together, and I hit the 217km point at Richmond Bridge.

This trip was meant to be a personal challenge, but it really turned into a complete adventure. From the sleepy Cotswolds countryside to the energy and bustle of towns and cities, fantastic people along the way this expedition had it all. It was an amazing experience, and one I would definitely do again.

Life really is better by the water.

Follow Ryan's adventures @ryanoutdoors_ on Instagram.