Small Boat Rally

This year we are very grateful to Pulborough Paddles (https://www.pulboroughpaddles.co.uk/ ) who are making their private parking and launch facilities at Stopham available for use by rally entrants

1. The Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s Small Boat Rally 2025 is a late afternoon event this year so that we run with the tide up to Pallingham and then back down again as the tide turns. Launching is from either Pulborough or Stopham and the choice is yours:

• Pulborough launch between 15:45 and 16:15: the beautiful Swan Bridge in the centre of Pulborough has a good slipway and is adjacent to the lovely Macklin’s Bar ( https://www.macklinsbars.co.uk/ ). Parking during the event is at the station, a short five minute walk away (see below)
• Stopham launch between 16:15 and 16:45: Stopham has an enchanting 15^th century stone bridge, it is a slightly shorter paddle up to Pallingham and it is home to the lovely White Hart pub. Launching and parking is easier this year with the addition of Pulborough Paddles’ (https://www.pulboroughpaddles.co.uk/ ) private facilities

2. The rally is an up and back event: Pallingham, the upper tidal limit of the River Arun, is quiet, unspoilt and nicely out in the sticks with no vehicular access, so you will not be able to finish there: you must return to the point from where you launched. The round trip normally takes between 3 and 4 hours from Pulborough and slightly less from Stopham but you are welcome to turn round at any point part way up the river

3. Bring your own craft or rent at Stopham direct from Pulborough Paddles https://www.pulboroughpaddles.co.uk/ who have kindly said that rally entrants will only be charged for a 2 hour rental even though the rally normally takes longer to complete

4. For everyone’s own personal safety and as a good example to others, we request that all participants wear lifejackets or buoyancy aids at all times whilst on or near the water

5. For those launching from Pulborough, space at the Swan Bridge car park is limited and only for use during unloading and later reloading of your craft. If approaching Swan Bridge from the north on the A29, drive across Swan Bridge (still on the A29) to the south side and the entrance to the small car park is immediately on the left. However, when you have finished unloading, for the duration of the rally, please move your vehicle to the station car park (on A283 west: Petworth direction) where their Sunday day-rate is a very reasonable £2:80 (scan the QR code in the car park to pay or use the APCOA app). It is a short 5 minute walk back to Swan Bridge

• What Three Words address for the small Swan Bridge car park is: ‘furniture.stags.outdoors’
• What Three Words address for the Pulborough Station car park is: ‘poet.etchings.shunning’ 

6. For those launching from Stopham, from the A283 please enter the slip road down to the White Hart pub and follow directions given by Wey & Arun Canal Trust marshals. With Pulborough Paddles’ private facilities and with space in the normal service road at Stopham, there should be ample parking space for everyone

• What Three Words address for the Stopham slip road is: ‘confronts.relatives.heightens’

7. Drinks and very good food may be purchased at both Stopham and at Pulborough – but best to check availability beforehand:

• At Stopham the beautiful White Hart pub is a favourite stopping off point for returning paddlers. They also serve a decent pint and a good lunch if you wish before the rally
• At Pulborough, the lovely Macklins Bar is situated right alongside the Swan Bridge launching slip: food is good, drink is good and staff are super-friendly https://www.macklinsbars.co.uk/

8. The rally is free to enter for all. However, if you are able to make a voluntary contribution, marshals on the day with have donation boxes for cash and mobile payment devices for cards. All donations will be used for the ambitious restoration of the lovely Wey and Arun Canal. To make it easier, you may wish to donate before the event using this button 

9. Please respect the privacy of the banks on both sides of the river en route – it is all private property

10. On arrival at Pallingham, you are welcome to step out onto the river bank but please be mindful of the fact that this too is private land: as such we would request that you do not wander off into adjoining fields! Please remove any litter that you have and please keep noise levels to a minimum. Many thanks for your understanding

11. Pallingham is the furthest point of the rally and while water depths occasionally allow small boats to go slightly further up, this year we will not be allowed to go above Pallingham

12. A company called Fluid Adventures run a canoe / kayak hire operation from Swan Bridge in Pulborough and we maintain very good relations with these guys. Please help us preserve this, as we share the slipway with them and want to keep friendly with them for the future

13. Please remember that this is a rally rather than a race! Take your time and enjoy the beautiful Sussex countryside as you pass through

14. It is recommended that people should wear sandals, beach shoes or wellies for pulling boats over pebbles up near Pallingham

 "That’s probably quite enough information! But please remember the two most important items:

• Think safety at all times whilst on or near the water – safety of yourself and safety of others
• Above all else, enjoy yourselves, have fun and have a great day!"