DW Diary

'Only 99 Miles To Go' The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon - A Personal Account

Having decided to attempt the Devizes to Westminster Canoe race in the late summer of 2009 I spent many hours searching for information about the race and how to prepare. I found lots of useful information on the internet especially on the official race website www.dwrace.org.uk. What I did struggle to get was detailed information about how to attempt the race as a novice.

Much information and advice is available through canoe clubs across the country and I recommend that novices join one as soon as they decide to try the DW but there wasn’t a written starters guide as such available.

As a result I decided to keep a record of my attempt at completing the race as a beginner. Describing all my experiences along the way both good and bad, and regardless of the outcome. I do not claim to be an expert in any way and I hope that my lack of experience might actually make the text of more interest to other novices setting out to attempt the race.

In the 2010 race we managed to complete the journey to Westminster in just under 24 hours and finished in 58th place. It was one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences of my life. I decided to attemt the race again and set about working to improve technique and fitness for the 2012 race. I followed some of the best kayakers in the 2011 race and invested in a new boat and improved equipment - the next challenge was to do the race competently, not just to finish. To improve our performance to the next level.

With the help and advice of people like Ivan Lawler, Paul Ralph and Nick Daniels amongst others we set about making ourselves better paddlers and again completed the race in 2012 and improved our position to 14th overall.