As the temperature rises across South West London, the river Thames is seeing a surge in paddleboarders looking to escape from the fast pace of city life and rediscover the river.

What was once dominated by rowers, has become a hub for stand up paddle boarding (SUP) and Paddle Richmond is seeing increased activity on the river from across the borough.

Nigel Muir, owner of Paddle Richmond, said paddleboarding is "a really relaxing way to escape from other pressures of work or life, getting out on the river you can't really think about anything else, it's really chilled out."

The company offers SUP and kayaking classes for beginners, as well as corporate team building events, private lessons, dog friendly paddles and social club evenings.

Across Richmond, Teddington, Barnes and Kingston attendees are able to get out on the water and take part in a fun and sociable activity.

The typical route lasts two hours and start from Richmond towards the lock, round the island's heading upstream towards Ham house, Eel pie island and Teddington.

Muir recalled the interest in paddleboarding growing in recent years.

"When we started we almost never saw anyone else on the river, it was just us and then it's grown and grown," he said.

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"Hot days like these everyone wants to have a go."

There has also been an increase in the amount of recreational users of the Thames.

Muir voiced that his "only concern is about safety", as more inexperienced people are heading onto the water, without having a lesson first.

Muir said: "There are rules on the river about which side you paddle, and we see people who have no idea, they're all over the place."

"The problem is the big motorboats haven't got any brakes, so if you get in their way all they can do is hoot at you."

He explained that the water conditions can change quickly depending on rainfall and tidal movement, "essentially we get four hours of moving water, so two hours either side of high tide in Richmond and Twickenham, all the way up to Teddington.

"The river's pretty safe if there hasn't been a lot of rainfall, if there has been a lot of rainfall then the river flows fast.

"When the tide comes in, it can be really hazardous, if you fall off and get under a boat or jetty or anything, that could be fatal."

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The Richmond Council advice regarding water safety states that those intending on using the Thames should be aware of the risks of cold water shock and to be aware of the float to live initiative.

Despite the risks, Muir stressed the importance of the accessibility of the river and the love people have for the relaxing activity of paddleboarding.

One Twickenham resident said: "Being out on the water, you forget that you are in London."

Another local resident, Christine, 46, said: "I love coming down and sitting on the benches and watching people go by, it's really soothing."

She added: "Oh god I wouldn't want to put my head under if I was to go in, who knows what's down there."

Paddle boarding is one of the many safe activities available and is a great way to keep cool this summer.

Over the bank holiday weekend, paddle Richmond had around 50 people attend their various classes.

Muir stated how paddle boarding is for everyone and "If you think you can't paddle board, you'd be wrong.

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"We've had 88 year-olds standing up, everyone can do it."

Muir's team have been together for seven years and is made up of nine instructors all with great experience, providing a fun, friendly and safe environment.

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