What is the minimum age to enter?

Participants must be 18 or older to race at this venue.

Yes—race entry includes free parking at the Burghfield Sailing Club site.

Are food and drink included with entry?

No—food and drinks are available from the venue cafe but are not included in the race fee.

Do I need to be an experienced paddler?

Yes—this event is for competent paddlers and is not suitable for first-timers; entrants must be able to swim 50 meters unaided.

What safety equipment is required?

Organizers require a buoyancy aid (waist belts acceptable) and recommend a leash or QR belt; participants should disclose any medical conditions in advance.

How does the schedule run on race day?

Registration and board drop-off begin at 11:30, a race briefing is at 1:30pm, and races start at 2:00pm.

Burghfield Winter Paddle: GWTF 10km Race at Burghfield Lake | Wellness | Winter Activities

On a clear January afternoon the GWTF Winter Series Race 3 brings paddlers to Burghfield Lake, a broad sheet of water on the western edge of Reading, England. Meeting at Burghfield Sailing Club, Hangar Road, Reading, RG7 4AP, competitors drop boards and test winter rhythm across a roughly 10km circuit that hugs the shoreline and turns through sheltered coves. The course shows off low, open banks, stands of winter reeds, and distant farmland rising to chalky slopes—features that shape the wind and current and reward disciplined pacing. This event blends a focused race category with a leisure option, so experienced SUP and surfski paddlers can push hard while less aggressive racers build steady kilometers ahead of spring targets. The venue is pragmatic: a club slipway for board drop-off, a cafe for hot drinks and bacon sandwiches, and parking included with entry. Organizers run registration from 11:30, a 1:30 race briefing, then a 2:00pm start—an efficient schedule that gives paddlers time to kit up and rehearse turns. Key scene features include the lake’s long fetch that tests stroke efficiency, shallow sheltered arms that shelter wind, and the club’s shore facilities that serve as a practical nexus. Natural elements—waterfowl, reedbeds, and exposed gravel edges—add texture but also require respect: participants must be able to swim 50 meters unaided, wear the recommended buoyancy aid or waist belt, and use a leash or QR belt. The rules emphasize competence; this is not an intro outing. Why book this race while in the area? It’s a compact, winter-hardened test that sharpens technique, delivers valuable off-season miles, and plugs you into a series rhythm that leads to larger regional events. For visitors based in Reading or nearby, the site offers an accessible taste of Berkshire’s lowland waters without the ferrying and logistics of remote venues. Practical notes: arrive early to drop boards, warm up on land, and bring layered neoprene or windproof shells—the lake’s winter light can make temperatures feel much lower. Top finishers in each category take medals, and a small, supportive field keeps the atmosphere competitive but friendly. Whether you’re chasing a time, tuning racecraft, or just chasing a strong January session, GWTF Race 3 at Burghfield is a clear, well-run water-activity that showcases local waters and a community that keeps winter training purposeful. Entrants must be 18 or older and the race keeps numbers modest—organizers typically cap groups near 50 to ensure safe starts and clear marshalling. Entry covers race admission and free parking; medals go to the top three in each category. Food and drinks are available at the on-site cafe but not included in the fee. Disclose medical conditions before check-in and come ready to follow the pre-race briefing and safety checks promptly.

About Go With The Flo

Go With The Flo is a Henley-on-Thames based paddleboarding and water-activity provider offering stand-up paddleboard (SUP) experiences, private sessions, school and corporate sessions, and mobile private bookings. The company provides instruction, safety briefings, and equipment for group and individual bookings on the River Thames in Henley-on-Thames.

Go With The Flo runs public social SUP experiences and tailored private SUP experiences for friends, families, and corporate teams. Their sessions emphasise beginner-friendly instruction, safety, and local scenic exploration. For schools and colleges the business delivers supervised SUP sessions designed to introduce students to paddleboarding while meeting basic safety standards. Corporate SUP sessions are available as team-building, clean-up, or SUP Pilates options with flexible locations on lake or river settings. Go With The Flo also offers a mobile private SUP experience described as 'Private SUP Experience - We Come To You' for bespoke group events.

Beyond paddleboarding, associated offerings include boat and canoe rentals under the name Go with the Flo’ot, with options such as aluminium motorboats, sloops, kayaks, and picnic add-ons for outings on the Berger- and Egmondermeer and Alkmaar canals. Rental inventory listed includes multiple boat sizes, single and multi-person kayaks, electric fatbikes, ebikes, scooters, and event services such as races and summer events. Booking information, dates, and specific equipment availability are provided per trip. Customers should consult the business directly for up-to-date schedules, pricing, and location details. Health and safety are prioritised through briefings and instructor supervision, and groups receive guidance on local waterways, access points, and basic self-rescue techniques. Booking terms vary by session.