Pesda Whitewater Mini-Guide
BOULTERS WEIR
#09
WHEREVER THERE’S WATER
sponsored by
Boulters Rodeo | James Farquharson
INTRODUCTION Local paddlers working with the BCU
have now created a small pour-over facility to one side of the
DESCRIPTION During the summer months, Boulters
provides a small pour-over and when the Thames is high in
main weir, which provides a useful summer facility.
the winter, the main weir can produce two, and sometimes
WATER LEVEL Summer levels - when Hurley is down to
Looking upstream, the pour-over is situated towards the left-
0 or 1 gate. Winter levels - high, when Shepperton is typi-
cally on 10 gates and slightly too high but Mapledurham not quite high enough (Boulters can wash out if too high).
GAUGE Information is available at www.kayakojacko.com. ACCESS 20 miles west of London, on the eastern edge
of Maidenhead, north of where the A4 and M4 cross the
three, consecutive fast-breaking, surging waves.
hand (river right) end of the weir, between boards, towards one
end of a long, concrete tiered shelf. To the right, further away, is the main weir, consisting of four large gates. The pour-over is a very retentive feature that is good for ends and steep blasts
but not for the faint-hearted. Future permanent changes may be effected to make the pour-over more user-friendly.
During the winter, when the Thames is high and all the
main weir gates are opened, up to three waves can form. The
Thames (904 827). Head for Maidenhead town centre. From
second wave appears to work most frequently of the three.
you eastwards. Just before the bridge over the Thames, turn
out the websites before travelling.
there, follow the signs for Slough and the A4, this will take
left immediately after the petrol filling station, into Ray
Mead Road (A4094). Drive along the road for about 500m
However, the weir is unpredictable and it is worth checking
OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS The corner of the weir
(with the river on your right) until you reach the lock. Turn
complex, between the main weir and side weirs parallel to the
carry your boat across the road, launch and paddle upstream.
surfer’s left side (river right) of the main weir.
into the car park on your left, which is signposted. From here,
Turn right at the upstream end of the island and you will find
the weir straight ahead of you. Paddle downstream, aiming for the right-hand end of the weir and portage down to the
weir pool.
flow, is very dangerous. Do not access the top wave from the
The Kayakojacko freestyle event at Boulters is held every September. A relaxed and fun event.
Contributor: Chris Wheeler
Excerpt adapted from English White Water, the BCU Guidebook ISBN 0953195678, published by Pesda Press, Caernarfon. For details of this and other books, as well as downloads of mini-guides and
WWW.CANOEKAYAK.CO.UK
route cards in this series, visit:
WWW.PESDAPRESS.COM
sponsored by
#09 BOULTERS WEIR
PESDA WHITEWATER MINI-GUIDE
OS SHEET GRADE
0
1km
OS map data reproduced with the kind permission of the Ordnance Survey
–
LENGTH
175 –
Design & text adapted from the BCU guide to English White Water, published by Pesda Press, Caernarfon.