Families enjoy themselves on river before thunderstorm

ABOUT 80 families took part in Wargrave Boating Club’s fun day on Sunday.

Children and adults took rowing dinghies, Canadian canoes and sit-on kayaks on to the River Thames.

One of the main activities was a treasure hunt on the water in which participants searched for letters along the river between the club and the George and Dragon pub in order to spell out a word.

Johnny Wyld, the club chairman said: “It went very well. We had lots of families and it was exceptionally busy on the water.

“We also had a bar and a barbecue. It was very busy all day. The goal was to introduce kids to the river in a safe way.”

Alasdair Akass, who attended with his daughter India, 11, and nine-year-old twin sons Barney and Sebastian, nine, said: “The day was so well organised and tremendous fun. Everyone made us feel so welcome and were very happy for us to try out kayaking, rowing and paddleboarding on such a wonderful stretch of the river.”

A thunderstorm brought an end to the day when it broke five minutes before the club was due to close at 5pm. Mr Wyld said: “It was a bit of a scramble to get everyone off the water but it went smoothly.”