h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Does this kayaking go on all year round in England? I know it is milder than in the northern states of the USA, but it strikes me as being more dangerous in the winter months. Thanks for this series.

Yes, it's a popular sport all through the year, although of course it's a lot more pleasant thro' the summer months and a lot more paddlers are out enjoying it then on rivers, lakes and canals across the country.

The DW of which I write, is held at Easter but the build up is through the winter months and there are several shorter 'warm-up' races in the months preceding it. There are quite a few kayaking clubs active nearby on my stretch of the Thames including one that practices on the nearest thing we have to white-water at Shepperton near the weir, http://www.sheppertoncanoeclub.co.uk/
Having said that, most of the activity is in quiet flat-water and isn't all that dangerous in good conditions. It's after heavy rain that the flow becomes difficult to manage when you're not used to it. Even so, the Thames isn't the Amazon or Mississippi.

I hope I haven't oversold kayaking as a dangerous sport. Like any outdoor sport it can bite the foolish or unprepared on the bum and you have to be sensible about your limitations, but you can't let that stop you. At the moment I'm enjoying pushing boundaries I've never explored before. Unfortunately I'm nowhere near ready yet for the event I want a try at, but at the moment I still think I've got enough time before April.

with that. I hope you have a mild winter to practice for it.