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The Race

The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race starts in Devizes, Wiltshire and finishes just downstream of Westminster Bridge in central London, opposite the Houses of Parliament. The race has been held annually over the Easter Weekend since 1948.The race is 125 miles long and has 77 portages. The first 52 miles are along the Kennet and Avon Canal to Reading, the next 55 miles are on the River Thames to Teddington. The final 17 mile section is on the tidal portion of the Thames.

 

The race is a severe test of skill and stamina which produces a memorable sense of achievement for those successfully completing it.

The Team

The team consists of 8 paddlers, all who are currently studying at the University of Southampton and are members of the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme (DTUS), which is a university sponsorship programme for students who want to join the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force or Engineering and Science branch of the MOD Civil Service as technical officers after they graduate. There are 2 Royal Air Force and 2 Army Officer cadets, and 4 Royal Navy Midshipmen taking part with a support crew taken from other DTUS members

The Charity

We are sponsoring the Hollow Lane Club in Exeter, which is an out-of-hours club for children and young people with special needs. Their mission is to enhance the lives of children and young people with special needs and their families, by providing fun and involving out-of-school activities for the children and their siblings, after school, at weekends and in the school holidays, at several central locations. A few of the DTUS members have helped the Hollow Lane Club before, have seen the good work that goes on and can see how much difference the money would make.

How to Help

There are many ways to help and get in contact with us, you can email at thundererdw2013@gmail.com, find us on facebook (type in DW Thunderer) or follow us on twitter (@ThundererDW). We will shortly be sending out newsletters pictures and updates on our progress.