Welcome to the new Devizes to Westminster site. This site replaces the original site started by Colin Mackinlay many years ago. We hope that this new site is easy to read and includes all the information that you are looking for. If however, you have any problems with it, do email the webmaster and he will do all he can to resolve the problem. Please take the opportunity now to browse the site and see what has been added or changed for the 2002 event.

The lock and portage routes have changed since the last DW. Please familiarise yourself with the new diagrams if you are racing or supporting the upcoming race

Why is it so tough?

• It is long - 125 miles requiring from 15 to 70 hours to complete.
• Senior Doubles paddle non stop through the night.
• Junior Doubles, Senior Singles and Veteran Juniors race over four fixed stages.
• Every 1.7 miles, on average, there is a lock to portage.
• Paddlers cannot rely on flow from the canal/river to help them on their way!
• Paddlers must leave Devizes in time to make the top of the ebb tide at Teddington (100 miles)
• Training takes a good 6 months. Fitness, planning and diet are critical.
• The race requires determination, self motivation and mental perseverance.
• It is exhausting, hypothermia and heat exhaustion are real risks.
• Approximately 30% of paddlers fail to complete the race.

Paddy Ashdown, who paddled the race in 1965:

'We won the folding boat class. It was absolutely crippling - 26 hours. I remember saying afterwards that I could only think of one person in history who had spent a worse Easter than I had!'

So why do it?!

• To break records.
• To win their category.
• To respond to a physical and mental challenge.
• To find and often exceed their own perceived personal limits.
• To beat their previous time (or a friend's).
• To finish in a reasonable time. (Just to finish is an achievement).
• To raise money, through sponsorship, for charity. (Up to £30,000 per year)
• To take part in a club activity.
• To retain their honour after making rash boasts over numerous pints in the pub!
• It is one of the best known International canoe races.
• Because, like Everest, it's there!