Known as the “kayaker’s Everest” I have twice entered and completed the “Devizes to Westminster” kayak race. 125 miles of non-stop paddling, interrupted only by 77 portages – necessary to negotiate locks in the canal and River Thames.
Training for the 125 mile non-stop kayak race. Check out those smiles!
This year myself and my paddling partner, Jim, completed the race in 22 hours and 46 minutes. A great time considering that the conditions were the coldest in the 60 year history of the race. We had sheets of ice forming over the deck of the kayak and over us! I had call to remember the coldness of the Arctic during this event.
I took up kayaking to get around some knee problems I was having. I only intended it to be temporary training alternative – but, I have fallen in love with the sport. It has a pure simplicity about it – a bit like swimming. Just you and the water… I don’t think that I have undertaken my last Devizes to Westminster… (Jim – are you listening to this?).
