Boulter's Weir
From Wikipaddle
October 2006
Boulter's Weir is a weir, looked after by the lock keeper, at Boulter's Lock in Maidenhead in the English county of Berkshire, and just downstream from Marlow. It is one of the most popular whitewater freestyle kayaking play areas on the River Thames, after Hurley Weir.
Contents |
Access
A car park on Ray Mead road/Lower Cookham road (A4094) provides ample parking to the nearby lock. The Thames which runs parallel with this road can be used as a get in point, simply paddle upstream (left after leaving the car park) and when the river splits, turn downstream to face the weir. Do not shoot the weir - this is not permitted, causes problems with the lock keeper, and relations with the EA.
Gates
The weir consists of 6 radial gates which are opened according to the river levels.
- Gates closed
For most of the summer, the weir is set like this. A canoe/kayak flume is installed by a group of kayakers after the main wet season has died down, and is in place until heavy rain is forecast in September or October. The flume allows 'hole moves' to be performed, and side surfing. It's deep enough for you not to hit the bottom easily (approximately 4ft/1.2m deep). Short, low volume boats are recommended for maximum use.
- 1 or more gates open
The same team of kayakers with co-operation from the Environment Agency (as of the 7th September 2006) have installed a new ramp in front of gate 3. The ramp is not adjustable, but in the future the intention is to allow adjustments of the wave shape, hopefully providing world class retentive waves/holes which can be surfed and freestyle moves executed. The installation is currently being tested, and as more knowledge is built up about the modification it will be posted to this page.
Water levels
- Flume - No gates need to be open, but there needs to be enough water coming over the steps to provide playable whitewater. During winter, the ramp is removed otherwise it could be damaged by heavy flows of water. After heavy rain the flume also becomes very sticky, and harder to get out of.
- Ramp wave (radial gate 3 open) - Currently, vague information stands as:
- 1 gate, 15" open - Wave/hole combination where most freestyle moves should be possible.
- 1 gate, 3ft+ open - Large and fast hole. More difficult to paddle with.
- 3 gates open - Large wave/hole, no clean eddylines. Can be shallow.
- Other configurations - There are no known perfect levels, as the gate opening sequence is causing problems with the wave shape.
Map
See also
- Hurley Weir the most popular playspot on the Thames.
- River Thames
