Notice: Reading Small Boats Head 2026: river restriction notice

Caversham reach, Caversham Bridge to Purley Marina.

This stretch of the river will be busy during the event, as up to 150 competitors will be racing at a time. Racing boats will travel downstream and share the navigation channel with non-racing traffic.

Regatta marshals may request non-racing traffic travelling downstream to wait at Mapledurham Lock for a short period of time at the start of each division. Divisions will start at 9:30am, 12:30pm and 3:30pm.

Regatta boards will mark the upstream and downstream ends of the course.

Racing will be held between 8am and 5pm.

You should keep to a safe speed and be aware of other boats near the event.

You must follow any instructions given from Environment Agency control points or patrol launches.

You are responsible for avoiding collisions. You should use all available means appropriate to the situation to avoid risk.

Swimming is not allowed on or near the course during the stated times.

All directions as to the left and right side of the river are given looking upstream.

Nothing contained in these directions shall supersede those parts of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 and the UK Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996 as may be relevant. Particular attention should be paid to byelaws 24-42 of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993, Steering Sailing and Speed.

And Notice is hereby given, that it is provided by Byelaw 52 of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 that: