Huge congratulations to our four Lower Sixth pupils who recently competed in the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race. The race, widely regarded as one of the toughest endurance events open to young people in the UK, is held annually over Easter Weekend.
The course runs from Devizes in Wiltshire, along the Kennet & Avon Canal to Reading, where it continues along the River Thames to the finish line at Barn Elms (Putney) – a distance of approximately 118 miles.
Our pupils compete against other school-aged paddlers in the Stages Race, a four-day event, which sees competitors complete 34, 36, 38 and 10 miles respectively. A requirement of the event is that competitors camp overnight at the end of each day.
It was with a huge sense of relief that the race went ahead as planned and the paddlers were able to reach the finish line. The persistent heavy rain we experienced during the early weeks of the new year certainly hampered preparations. Thankfully, the rain abated and water levels on the Thames dropped sufficiently to allow training on the river section of the course, just in the nick of time.
The level of commitment and determination required to see this endeavour through to its completion is not to be underestimated. The crews trained, in all weather, across three afternoons a week from September until the end of the Lent Term. They also competed in the Waterside Series of races in the preceding weeks before Easter Weekend.
Felix B and Henry H were placed 2nd overall in the Junior Doubles class, receiving both a runners-up prize and a prize for being the fastest crew where both members were under 17 on 1st January of this year’s race. Max B and Luke S finished a very respectable 15th place.
Thus far, the team has raised in excess of £4,000 for the charity Walking With The Wounded.
A huge thank you to the parents and Support Crews, without their good humour and support, the boys would not have finished each day in such good shape.
Jonny Newman
OA Department
