Devizes-Westminster canoe race.

[anonymous-user]

Anyone here done this? Thinking about giving it a go with my mate but we're not really very experienced at canoeing. Apologies if I use the incorrect terms.

It looks like most canoe clubs require basic qualifications for river training but it seems like it's a bit late in the year now for lessons etc.

Is it the kind of thing where we could get a K2 and get a qualifiaction privately or in a pool and then launch into serious winter training by ourselves? We both get a lot of time off during the week for training and both have a bit of experience at doing endurance events. (Ironman triathalons, marathons, endurance swimming etc) training would likely be done on the Medway or in the Maidstone Tonbridge area.

Thanks in advance for any information about canoeing or anything else useful.

[Seventy]

I don't live too far from the Kennet and have seen numerous D-W races over the years. I must admit I'm not sure of the entry qualifications but I have seen some people who I would say had never been in a canoe before.
Have a look at this: http://www.dwrace.org.uk/docs/General%20Rules%2020...

[silverthorn2151]

Where are you based?

I am learning to kayak at the Lee Valley White Water Centre in Waltham Cross.

All sorts of courses available. Paddling is fine and relatively straightforward. Doing so safely and with the right technique is also relatively simple but bad habits are easy to get.

[Toaster]

Join a Marathon club or at least, find someone from a club that has done this before, just as aside how are you going to prepare and who is your support team without the latter you will struggle, this is a hard race you may want to think about trying some shorter (and that doesn't mean easy) races and prepare for 2018 so:

This is a good outlet and will give you advise https://www.kentcanoes.co.uk/index.html

And British Canoeing site will show you were the clubs are https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/canoe-near-you/...


http://www.dwrace.org.uk/overview.html

'Boats

The race may be undertaken in kayaks or open canoes. We recommend selecting a stable boat as water conditions on the final section of the race can be extremely challenging.


Beginners

We recommend a minimum of six months training and preparation for the race. The best way to start is to find your nearest canoe club - preferably one that has people who know the race. We've provided a list of some clubs that have agreed to support DW Crews on the Paddlers Information - Training Advice section of this website. You can find details of canoe clubs through the British Canoe Union website whose web address is on the Links page. If you have specific questions, please contact us. You will find further information on training in the Paddlers Information - Training Advice section of this website.'

Edited by Toaster on Friday 25th November 05:01

[mcdjl]

I was part of a support crew a year or two back. If you're really fit you might manage it this year if you find kayaking easy.... You need to start serious training now though, not be learning. You'll need at least two preferably more support vehicles with at least two people in each. At the end of it you're likely to need help standing up.
Enter the riverside race series and maybe try the stopping version of the race of you're not used to boats, then think about the full fat nonstop version for 2018.