The Other Boat Race

[alteredoutlook]

Easter Sunday has the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race. However, there is another boat race going on also this weekend. Instead of a 4.25 mile sprint, the annual Devizes to Westminster 125 mile canoe marathon takes place along the Kennet and Avon canal to Reading and then down the Thames. For the senior race the leading crews are expected to take less than 20 hours but most mortals aim for around 24 hours.

As most seem to be cancelling any sailing plans because of the freezing weather conditions let’s just spare a thought for the hardy souls attempting to do it!!!!

A cartoon has been produced describing the race and the fun of my wife and friend’s attempt last year:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5bIRSl1WRM

This year they are both back with un-finished business. They are supporting Bendrigg Trust – a charity who take disabled children and adults on outdoor activities. If you like the cartoon, it would be nice if you would make a contribution to support their efforts. (Apologies if it’s not appropriate on this forum!)

You can make a donation by texting ‘JILL49’ followed by an amount to phone number 70070
or visit http://www.justgiving.com/Bendrigg-Expeditions.

Have a nice Easter and many thanks

 

[rjandhl]

Paddled it in 1987, senior ladies K2, 28hrs 19 in the senior category, look back with fond memories but it is a hard slog, particularly in the small hours on the Thames. Be careful on those dark portages on the Thames.
Will be thinking of all the paddlers out there over the weekend.
Good luck.

 

[alteredoutlook]

Thought you'd all like to hear if my Mrs made it in the coldest Easter on record:
On Sunday morning she paddled under Westminster Bridge to finish the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Marathon. It took her and her friend 26 hours and 6mins to paddle the 125 miles and run the 77 portages.

Of the 160 crews that started only 100 made it to the end. She was among only 6 women crews to finish.

It was a bit of hard race to do: Breaking ice for the first few hours, avoiding aggressive swans, falling in the Thames at Marlow in the middle of the night and being force fed Jaffa cakes every hour by the support crew.

The full story is here in the sequel to the original cartoon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52DfMnNh0jc

if you enjoy it it would be nice if you made a donation to her charity - see first posting for details
Thanks