Update 20-Apr-06
Julien and Luke finished the race in a time of 24:34:01, placing 33rd out of 115 starters. John and Mattias reached Old Windsor, a distance of 87 miles, before illness forced them to retire.
A full race report is available on Paddle Log.
The Race
The annual Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race, held over the Easter weekend, is one of the sporting calendar's ultimate endurance events.
Crews paddle double racing kayaks from Devizes in Wiltshire along the Kennet and Avon Canal to Reading. Here they join the Thames for the remainder of the race, finishing under Westminster Bridge beside the Houses of Parliament in central London, a total distance of 125 miles (200km). Non-stop.
The race is a challenge of gruelling physical and mental endurance for the crews, and military logistics for the support team, who must keep them fed and watered for the 24 hours it typically takes to complete the course.
The paddlers
In January 2006 four of us from Tower Hamlets Canoe Club were enjoying a couple of pints after a night paddle on the Thames when it emerged that doing the 'DW', as it is known to kayakers, was an ambition we all shared. Plans were made, training began and two crews were formed.
John Heslop [GBR] & Mattias Altin [SWE]
Julien Grouteau [FRA] & Luke Smallman [GBR/IRL]
You can follow our progress in detail on Luke's blog, Paddle Log.
The charity
Shadwell Basin is an outdoor activity centre in the East End of London. Its main aim is to promote the development of local children and young people by providing affordable access to water sports.
We aim to raise funds for Shadwell Basin's annual summer holiday programme which caters for up to 60 young people for 20 days. This engages young people into positive use of their summer time with programmes in canoeing and sailing leading to nationally accredited qualifications.
Please sponsor us to raise funds for Shadwell Basin by using this site and remember that, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
Disclaimer: our club is affiliated to Shadwell Basin and has the use of certain facilities but is otherwise self funding and all sponsorship raised through this event will go towards Shadwell Basin's Summer Hoilday Programme.
Raised:
83%
Raised so far: £1,673.25
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nice one Donation by rory fagan on 01/05/06 |
£20.00 |
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I was with you in spirit ... Donation by Ghost on 26/04/06 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Well Done !! Donation by Maz on 26/04/06 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Well done Luke on your massive achievement Donation by Stephen, Una & Lewis on 21/04/06 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Dave Hall on 20/04/06 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Well done! Donation by Ross on 20/04/06 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Congratulations Luke & Co, We are in awe! Donation by Rachel, Pete & Francesca on 19/04/06 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Go for it Matt!! See you in the bar afterwards Donation by Dipen Kotecha on 19/04/06 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Donation by Christopher on 19/04/06 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Just don't swallow the water! Donation by Tim Butler on 18/04/06 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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luke: i hope you survived. next stop the danube?! Donation by jim on 18/04/06 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Well done Donation by Alison on 18/04/06 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Congrats! Donation by Jessica Gogan on 17/04/06 |
£20.00 |
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Don't drawn! Otherwise I want my money back. Donation by spirelli on 15/04/06 |
£2.00 + £0.56 Gift Aid |
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Good luck Luke - is this safer than snowboarding? Donation by Clive Whitcroft on 13/04/06 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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idiots! Donation by Erik B on 12/04/06 |
£5.00 |
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I'll think of you when in the bar sipping on my pint. Simma lungt. Donation by Matt Stromberg on 12/04/06 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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good luck julien! Donation by Pippa Newbold on 12/04/06 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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have a long good friday Donation by David Suttle on 12/04/06 |
£50.00 |
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Good luck - I hope the wrist holds out! Donation by Marie and Dayle on 12/04/06 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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have fun and keep paddling! Donation by hans heupink on 11/04/06 |
£5.00 |
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Good luck Luke! Donation by Jean Ludlow on 11/04/06 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Good luck to all of you! xxx Donation by Sue on 11/04/06 |
£20.00 |
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Rather you than me. "Good Luck" Donation by Alan Mayhew on 11/04/06 |
£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid |
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Du skulle gjort lumpen pa riktigt istallet sa hade du inte behovt halla pa sa har... Donation by Andreas M on 11/04/06 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
| * Total raised online: | £1,363.25 |
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| Offline donations: | £310.00 |
| Mobile donations: | £0.00 |
| Total Raised: | £1,673.25 |
| Gift Aid plus supplement: | £319.63 |
* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out
how much it is and what we do for it.