A short way upstream on the Buckinghamshire bank is Medmenham Abbey home of the notorious Hell Fire Club.

Hurley is an active freestyle kayaking centre because of the favourable size and shape of the wave.

This has the effect of constantly pushing people who are queuing in the eddy into the main current.

Usually more rainfall means more gates will be open, but this also depends upon the levels at weirs upstream, and as such it can be difficult to predict.

For the weir to form a good wave for kayakers, it generally needs to be late autumn, winter or early spring.

During the winter, a vague rule of thumb is 10 mm of rain is needed to open a gate.