White water rapids created at Hambleden Weir

Canoeists can now enjoy the thrill of white-water canoeing at Hambleden Weir, on the River Thames near Henley.

Man-made white-water rapids were officially opened at the weir on 5 June by Waterways Minister Alun Michael. He saw canoeists from the local Chalfont Park Canoe Club in action as they tackled the rapids during a visit to the weir, near Henley.

The project, which involved the design and installation of hydraulic ramps on the weir apron to create white water conditions cost £85,000 and took the Environment Agency eight months to complete. Now canoeists based on the Thames and across the country are set to take on the challenging stretch of water to test their skills of free-style and slalom canoeing.

Alun Michael said: "This is an excellent project. Canoeing is an exhilarating sport, which offers people of all ages a real challenge. The Thames is one of our most important waterways. It is a marvellous resource for recreation. Projects like this one at Hambleden Weir give people the chance not just to take on a new challenge but to enjoy an exciting sport."

Barbara Young, chief executive of the Environment Agency said: "The restored whitewater we have created at Hambleden, along with the rapids we manage upstream at Hurley, now make the non-tidal Thames one of the best canoe spots in the country. Along with all the rowing, sailing and boating you can also do on the river, the Thames is fast becoming a world-class recreational waterway."