When I first stumbled upon the idea of setting a Guinness World Record for kayaking the Thames, I thought it might be a bit of a bonkers challenge. I was browsing the records one day and noticed there was no record for women in a double kayak. It felt like a gap that needed to be filled. Luckily my friend Kerry said “yes” without thinking about it too much and we decided to take on the challenge. But what started as a casual thought quickly evolved into an all consuming goal that pushed us in ways we were not expecting.
The Path to the Record
Preparing for this attempt was anything but easy and was over a year in the making. In the final six months, we committed to an intense training regime, training six days a week and dedicating Sundays to long-distance sessions. It wasn’t just about physical endurance; we had to master the art of eating on the go to maintain our energy levels. Picture this: while battling fatigue, we’d force down sandwiches and flapjacks, sometimes choking down food with laughter at the absurdity of it all.
One of the most entertaining—and slightly awkward—parts of our training was figuring out how to handle peeing. We agreed early on that we wouldn’t go in the boat, as it would make portaging really unpleasant for both of us. Just picture it: when we flipped the kayak onto our shoulders, all the fluids would end up down my back! So, we had to pee on the go: running at our portages. And yes we did have to practice!
One of the biggest challenges wasn’t just the paddling itself but the mountains of logistics. Organising support crews, ensuring we had the right equipment, meeting all of Guinness World Records requirements, and paddling safely in the dark made the journey a true test of patience and resilience. Training in winter conditions—high waters, fierce winds, and obstacles in the river—only added to the drama.
The First Attempt: A Lesson in Resilience
Our first attempt at the record was in early April 2024, and it didn’t go as planned. We almost called it off the night before due to gale-force winds and high river flow. We had set a maximum river flow rate we were comfortable with, and it was exceeded. However, after checking the conditions early in the morning, we decided to go for it.
Initially, we made great progress, even thinking we might beat the men’s record. But disaster struck when our rudder broke just a few hours in. Without the ability to steer, we struggled for nearly 2 kilometres before having to abandon our attempt. It was disheartening, but we took it as a learning experience and regrouped for our next try.
The Big Day: A Mix of Grit and Guffaws
Fast forward to April 27, 2024. Kerry and I launched our kayak into the Thames, ready to conquer the 200-kilometre stretch from Lechlade to Teddington Lock. We felt more ready than ever and almost glad we’d had our “dress rehearsal” earlier in the month.
Completing the distance in 21 hours and 33 minutes, we smashed the 24-hour target! There were countless laughs throughout the journey, including the moment when one of our support crew members waded into the river in his underwear to deliver supplies. And yes, there were surreal moments too; Kerry even began to see things in the water that weren’t there. Yet, through all the exhaustion and laughter, we knew we were doing something significant.
Championing Women in Sport
A driving force behind our attempt was our desire to champion women in sport. In competitive paddling, we often see a lack of visibility for women, and we wanted to change that narrative. By sharing our story, I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions, whether in kayaking or any other adventure.
Take the Leap!
What have I learned through this experience? Sometimes you don’t have to be the best or fastest – you just have to be the one bonkers enough to give it a go! Many women suffer with imposter syndrome so we have to keep reminding each other – we are capable of so much more than we believe.
So, to all the Adventure Queens out there: take the leap! Find your adventure, whether it’s kayaking down a river or another adventure you’ve been daydreaming about. You might just surprise yourself!
This post was written by kayaker, hiker, cake lover and Adventure Queens Community Lead Nadia Weigh. Nadia is passionate about getting more women outdoors and pushing themselves out of their comfort zones.