Would It Be Possible to Foil on the Thames?

 

As much fun as foiling - a dinghy at speed on the River Thames

Would It Be Possible to Foil on the Thames?

Foiling looks magical. Boats lift clear of the water, drag all but disappears, and suddenly sailing feels more like flying. But could that really work on the River Thames?

The short answer: yes – but only in very specific places, with very specific craft, and a great deal of caution.

What foiling actually needs

Foils work best when three things come together:

• Consistent wind or power to get up onto the foil

• Clear, open water with room to accelerate

• Predictable conditions – minimal obstacles, traffic, and wash

That combination is rare on inland rivers.

The Thames reality

The Thames is a wonderful training and cruising river, but it comes with challenges that foiling doesn’t forgive:

• Variable depth – shoals, shelves, and sudden shallows

• Hidden hazards – mooring chains, weed, debris, submerged structures

• Traffic – rowers, safety boats, cruisers, paddleboards

• Narrow reaches – limited room to bear away and build speed

A foil doesn’t just skim the surface; it extends well below it. That makes unexpected depth changes more than inconvenient — they’re dangerous.

Where it might work

There are limited scenarios where foiling could be feasible:

• Wide, deep reaches with few moorings

• Early mornings or quiet periods with minimal traffic

• Experienced riders only, fully aware of local hazards

Wind foiling (windsurf foils) or electric foils (e-foils) are more realistic than foiling dinghies, because they can lift earlier and don’t rely on perfect sailing angles.

Even then, it’s very much a “just because you can doesn’t mean you should” situation.

Club sailing and safety cover

From a club and safety-boat perspective, foiling introduces complications:

• Foilers travel fast and silently

• Recovery after a fall is harder

• Safety boats must keep greater distance from submerged foils

On a busy training river, that’s a big ask.

The sensible conclusion

Foiling belongs where it has space, depth, and freedom — open water, reservoirs, and coastal venues. The Thames excels at many things: learning, racing, family sailing, gentle adventure.

Foiling?
Possible in theory. Questionable in practice.

The only alternative is the A-Rater. Designed for the River Thames, the fastest boat on the Thames and trills a minute.

And sometimes, staying wet and close to the water is half the fun anyway.