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Team Deward (David Woodcock and Ed Higgins) are planning to complete the Devizes to Westminster (DW) canoe race on Easter weekend 2010. Many of you will not have heard of this race, it is one of the least glamorous events out there!!
So what is it? The world's longest non-stop canoe race. Paddling for 125 miles non-stop in 24 hours. Ohh and there are 77 portages (this involves getting out of our canoe and running round locks/ bridges etc). That's roughly 90,000 paddle-strokes.
What the.... Yep we thought exactly the same thing!! But seeking a new challenge and having the opportunity to raise some money for 2 great charities we thought why not.
Is it possible? For those of you that know David and Ed they aren't exactly in tip top physical condition and this is called the "canoer's Everest". However they have enlisted the help (thank god) of a GB olympic canoeing coach - Trevor Wetherall and joined Richmond canoe club. The hope is that if we can get the best preparation we might have a chance. Our training schedule will involve paddling on the water (mostly at night) for 4 sessions a week after Christmas, with various other cardio sessions during the week. Which has led for drastic action - to stop drinking and quit rugby!
Done much paddling? Ed has never set foot in a canoe before and I have done a little bit as a kid!! Plus Ed currently is 6ft 4 and 17 stone and I am 6ft and 14.5 stone.
Whats with the awesome name? Well taking inspiration from Jedward and our similar hairstyles we thought it was a great name. Jedward inspired a nation and despite all the criticism they delivered. Or maybe the idea of them becoming pop stars is almost as ridiculous as us competing in this race.
Can i follow your progress? Yep we will be regularly updating and putting video journals on our facebook page.
Who you raising money for? Two Charities:
1) Help for Heroes - http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/. A well known charity and with a lot of our friends being in the army we feel it's a great cause and doing some amazing work.
2) Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) - http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/. A little known charity founded in 1995 to raise awareness of conditions that can lead to Sudden Cardiac Death and Sudden Death Syndrome.
Why should i bother? I know we all get asked for sponsorship all the time and times are tough. But even if it is £1 you will be safe in the knowledge that this will spur us on to make those 90,000 strokes and lift that boat in and out of the water 77 times. Plus you will get to follow our progress and maybe realise that if you put your mind to something then anything is possible and you might be inspired to do something similar.
What if you don't finish it? Ed and I have promised not to drink until 2011!!!!
More info on the race: http://www.dwrace.org.uk/
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