Teddington RNLI and Hampton Canoe Club conduct Thames rescue training

The training exercise which took place in the early evening on Wednesday 20 June 2018 just by Teddington Lock, was organised by Jon Barker and Jon Chapman, both helms at Teddington RNLI Lifeboat Station, in partnership with Andrew Wallace of Hampton Canoe Club.

Both Teddington RNLI D class inshore lifeboats (ILBs) were deployed: (D-743 Olwen and Tom and D-785 Peter Saw). The majority of Teddington RNLI crew and shore crew took part in the different rescue scenarios.

Jon Barker emphasised the importance for the RNLI of training with boat clubs on the River Thames: 'We are very lucky to have Hampton Canoe Club in our area, whose members take the trouble to inform our crew on the best ways to recover casualties and boats from the water. The understanding of the intricate details of each class of boat could be vital when operating a rescue at speed and our team benefited hugely from actually having the opportunity to test their skills on live casualties. We can’t thank them enough for sharing our desire to keep people on the Thames as safe as possible as part of the RNLI’s #SaferThames campaign. We look forward to the next session with them later in the year.’

Jon Chapman said: ‘The Hampton Canoe Club members are a great bunch who always ensure we have a brilliant rescue training session. This evening was no different. Everyone enjoyed it and found it very informative, especially our newer crew, many of whom were there. This sort of joint training exercise with recreational and sporting river users really helps us all understand how we can best help one another. Result, we’re much better prepared for recreational incidents on the Thames and, in particular, safe and speedy recovery of those using the water and their equipment.’

Andrew Wallace was very pleased with the training: ‘My friends from Hampton Canoe Club often paddle these waters, and know how delightful, and sometimes how tricky, they can be. We all enjoyed it and it was great to meet so many of the crew. It's been useful and really enjoyable to have a joint training session with the Teddington RNLI crew. We'd encourage other canoe clubs to consider training with their local RNLI or rescue services, so that paddling can become even safer.’

Note for editors and further information

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RNLI media contacts

• Paul Stallard, Teddington RNLI Press Officer, 07879 810 817 / [email protected]

• Paul Dunt, RNLI Media Officer London/South East Tel: (0207) 6207426 Mob: 07785 296252 / [email protected]

• For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

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Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

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The RNLI is a charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland (SC037736). Charity number 20003326 in the Republic of Ireland

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.