International Canoe Race
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2006 Waterside Series
What’s it all about?
The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race is the longest non-stop canoe race in the world. It starts in the quiet market town of Devizes in Wiltshire and runs along the Kennet and Avon Canal, punctuated by locks, until it reaches the River Thames at Reading. 125 miles in distance, the race finishes at Westminster Bridge, directly opposite the Houses of Parliament in the heart of London. But DW is much more than just a canoe race - it’s an adventure! It forces competitors to dig long and deep into their reserves of physical and mental stamina which is why the race is often called “the Canoeist's Everest”. Having the technical skill to paddle a kayak or canoe is essential but the most important quality needed to complete DW is raw determination. And the reward for making the mighty effort needed to cross the finish line is a sense of satisfaction so profound that many paddlers can’t resist coming back year after year.
The race can either be completed in one continuous effort or paddled over four days. The Senior Doubles event (often called the straight-through race) is non-stop and is exclusively for adult paddlers in a two person boat. The Senior Doubles crews set off from Devizes and simply don’t stop until they get to Westminster, 125 miles and 77 portages later. For elite crews, this journey may take 17 or 18 hours – the race record has stood since 1979 at an incredible 15 hours and 34 minutes - but it is a real achievement to break 20 hours and the bulk of paddlers take around 24. But however quick a crew is, everyone has to paddle through the night. Coping with deep fatigue in the hours of darkness is just one of the challenges facing DW paddlers in the straight-through race.
Alternatively, the race can be done in daylight over 4 days. On the first day paddlers cover 34 miles, then 36, 38 and on the final day, a mercifully short 17. The competitive 4 day classes include Junior Doubles, Senior Singles, and Veteran / Junior Doubles. Do not mistake the 4 day events for a soft option. Each day sees intense racing and the cumulative toll this takes on body and soul is considerable. Some of the most exciting racing, from a spectator point of view, takes place in these classes because the boats do not get so strung out as in the straight-through event.
There is also a non-competitive 4 day Doubles category – the Endeavour Class – for adults who prefer to take their time and enjoy the beautiful scenery the Thames Valley has to offer. More information can be found at www.dwrace.org.uk.
Blundell’s and the Race
Blundell’s students, staff and Old Blundellian members of the Blundell’s Canoe club have been taking part in the race for many years.
The event is divided into classes. Blundell’s compete in the four day event, which starts on Good Friday and finishes on Easter Monday every year. Most paddlers enter the Junior K2 class, some go in as Junior/Veteran and the occasional single paddler enters one of the toughest categories, the K1 event.
Blundellians who have completed the event
| Category | Crew Members | Overall time | Position |
| 2007 | |||
| Junior K2 | Rory Findlay and Tim Archibald | 21.49:33 | 33rd |
| Junior K2 | Austin Squibbs and Richard Carroll | 22:23:07 | 41st |
| 2006 | |||
| Junior K2 | Ben Garth and Joe Lambert-Barnett | 21.12.16 | 14th |
| Junior K2 | Josh Albon and Jack Bruce | 21.19.41 | 17th |
| Junior K2 | Will Harper and Jack Warne | 23.53.56 | 32nd |
| 2005 | |||
| Junior K2 | Jack Bruce and Edward Spencer | 23.57.58 | 43rd |
| Junior K2 | Emma Hayes Pankhurst and Josh Albon | 24.43.27 | 47th |
| Junior/Vet K2 | Alan Ker and John Ker | 22.02.33 | 3rd |
| 2004 | |||
| Junior K2 | Tom Garth and William Spencer | 23.19.49 | 33rd |
| Junior K2 | Will Kerr and George Daniell | 25.13.10 | 48th |
| Junior/Vet | John Ker and Yan Yates | 24.15.51 | 6th |
| Senior K1 | Michael Wright | 19.29.05 | 12th |
| 2003 | |||
| Junior K2 | Hugo Davies and Michael Wright (Highest J. K2) |
20.01.18 | 4th |
| Junior K2 | Peter Daniell and Alex de Tessier | 25.56.54 | 47th |
| Junior/Vet | Steve Keane and Sandy Nightingale | 20.18.41 | 3rd |
| 2002 | |||
| Junior K2 | Michael Wright and Chris Sagar | 18.52.25 | 6th |
| Junior K2 | Hugo Davies and Will Bosworth | 19.35.51 | 12th |
| Junior K2 | Sandy Nightingale and Charlie Leigh | - | - |
| 1999 | |||
| Junior K2 | C. Smedley and C. Dalrymple-Smith | 18.46.06 | 4th |
| Junior K2 | S. Bisiker and H Vlasto | 24:51:20 | 42nd |
| Junr /Vet | Steve Keane and Will Nightingale | 18:18:11 | 2nd |
| 1998 | |||
| Junior K2 | C. Smedley and I R Blessley (Fastest Junior K2) |
18.20.32 | 9th |
| Junior/Vet | R. Smedley and Steve Keane (Fastest Junior/Vet) |
17:49:50 | 2nd |
| 1997 | |||
| Junior K2 | D. H. Copplestone and A.A. Pilgrim | 20.31.33 | 12th |
| Junior K2 | Charmody Briggs and J Banbury (Fastest Mixed K2 or girls crew) |
22:16:24 |
24th |
| Junior K2 | GHH Morris and C Hulse | 22:36:39 | 28th |
| Junior/Vet | R. Smedley and Steve Keane | 19:27:41 | 3rd |
| 1996 | |||
| Junior K2 | D. H. Copplestone and S Pilgrim | 19.38.36 | 6th |
| Junior K2 | G.E. Meadows and Darrel Keane | 20:06:42 | 7th |
| 1985 | |||
| Junior K2 | SJ Barnes and MC Howgill | 29:02:07 | 50th |
Overall Statistics |
|||
| Number of entries since race began |
Average Time | Average Speed | Average place |
| 23 | 22 hours, 12 minutes | 5.6 mph | 24th |
Links
British Canoe Union
www.bcu.org.uk
D/W website
www.dwrace.org.uk