christine
Active member
Hi All
I hope this is the right place for this thread.
The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race starts in Devizes, Wiltshire and finishes just downstream of Westminster Bridge in London, opposite the Houses of Parliament. The race has been held annually over the Easter Weekend since 1948.
The race is 125 miles long and has 77 portages. The first 52 miles are along the Kennet and Avon Canal, the next 55 miles are on the River Thames and the final section is on the tidal portion of the Thames.
The race is a severe test of skill and stamina which produces a memorable sense of achievement for those successfully completing it. The non-stop version of the race is the longest non-stop canoe race in the world. This year's race begins on Saturday 11th April.
Myself and Kevin Hilton are competing in the race for the first time in the mixed K2 class, paddling non-stop. Our aim is to finish the race in 24 hours and we began training for the race over a year ago in December 2007. We know each other through our passion for caving, potholing and cave diving and we are both members of the Wessex Cave Club and the Cave Diving Group. We both enjoy running, swimming and generally keeping fit.
A little bit about us. I'm Christine and I am 27 years old and am an Ambulance Technician, working for Great Western Ambulance Service Trust at Salisbury Station. I had very little canoeing experience prior to training for the race and was persuaded one evening in the local pub, by Kevin, to attempt the race with him. I had drunk too much and agreed !!
Kevin is 37 and is a manager at Dorset Cereals Ltd in Dorchester. He has competed in canoe slalom at a very high level some years ago and took up canoe marathon in order to compete in this race. His Mother, Sheila and his Uncle, Ken have both completed the race twice, so Kevin is keen to keep the family tradition going and attempt it himself.
The team is made up of the paddlers and a support crew, who give their time and efforts willingly and tirelessly to follow, feed, water, change and offer encouragement to the us throughout our training and during the race. The boat contains emergency spares, but the food and drink is supplied by the support crew along the way.
Sheila Hilton, Ian Bridges, Noel Cleeve, Louise Bennett, Shaun Bennett, Bill Miller and Charlotte Kemp are the backbone of the race and have been in training themselves for the big weekend. We have also been training with Southampton Canoe Club and are indebted to Clive Aylett for the use of his boat and the support we receive from their fellow members.
We are also indebted to the firefighters at Salisbury Fire Station for the use of their garage to store the 6 metre long double Kayak !
We and the support crew will have covered the whole course in sections during training before the event itself and will be competing in 6 canoe marathon races on the canal and the Thames prior to the big event.
It hasn't all been plain sailing !!!
We are raising money for Salisbury Hospice Care Trust and any donations are much appreciated. Please give what you can and gift aid it if you are a Uk tax payer. The website below will give you more information on this epic race.
Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It?s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Salisbury Hospicecare Trust gets your money faster and, if you?re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
So please sponsor us now!
Justgiving - Christine Grosart's Fundraising Page
If you prefer not to use this well known and secure website, you can post a cheque made out to : Salisbury Hospicecare Trust and post to :
FAO John Lakeman,Salisbury Hospice, SDH, Salisbury SP2 8BJ
Please enclose a note that it is for our DW attempt.
Their website is :
Salisbury Hospicecare Trust - Salisbury Hospicecare Trust
Many thanks for your support !
Christine & Kevin
p.s Here is a Youtube link which you may enjoy, following our training so far.... Turn the volume up !!
YouTube - Devizes to Westminster training
I hope this is the right place for this thread.
The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race starts in Devizes, Wiltshire and finishes just downstream of Westminster Bridge in London, opposite the Houses of Parliament. The race has been held annually over the Easter Weekend since 1948.
The race is 125 miles long and has 77 portages. The first 52 miles are along the Kennet and Avon Canal, the next 55 miles are on the River Thames and the final section is on the tidal portion of the Thames.
The race is a severe test of skill and stamina which produces a memorable sense of achievement for those successfully completing it. The non-stop version of the race is the longest non-stop canoe race in the world. This year's race begins on Saturday 11th April.
Myself and Kevin Hilton are competing in the race for the first time in the mixed K2 class, paddling non-stop. Our aim is to finish the race in 24 hours and we began training for the race over a year ago in December 2007. We know each other through our passion for caving, potholing and cave diving and we are both members of the Wessex Cave Club and the Cave Diving Group. We both enjoy running, swimming and generally keeping fit.
A little bit about us. I'm Christine and I am 27 years old and am an Ambulance Technician, working for Great Western Ambulance Service Trust at Salisbury Station. I had very little canoeing experience prior to training for the race and was persuaded one evening in the local pub, by Kevin, to attempt the race with him. I had drunk too much and agreed !!
Kevin is 37 and is a manager at Dorset Cereals Ltd in Dorchester. He has competed in canoe slalom at a very high level some years ago and took up canoe marathon in order to compete in this race. His Mother, Sheila and his Uncle, Ken have both completed the race twice, so Kevin is keen to keep the family tradition going and attempt it himself.
The team is made up of the paddlers and a support crew, who give their time and efforts willingly and tirelessly to follow, feed, water, change and offer encouragement to the us throughout our training and during the race. The boat contains emergency spares, but the food and drink is supplied by the support crew along the way.
Sheila Hilton, Ian Bridges, Noel Cleeve, Louise Bennett, Shaun Bennett, Bill Miller and Charlotte Kemp are the backbone of the race and have been in training themselves for the big weekend. We have also been training with Southampton Canoe Club and are indebted to Clive Aylett for the use of his boat and the support we receive from their fellow members.
We are also indebted to the firefighters at Salisbury Fire Station for the use of their garage to store the 6 metre long double Kayak !
We and the support crew will have covered the whole course in sections during training before the event itself and will be competing in 6 canoe marathon races on the canal and the Thames prior to the big event.
It hasn't all been plain sailing !!!
We are raising money for Salisbury Hospice Care Trust and any donations are much appreciated. Please give what you can and gift aid it if you are a Uk tax payer. The website below will give you more information on this epic race.
Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It?s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Salisbury Hospicecare Trust gets your money faster and, if you?re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
So please sponsor us now!
Justgiving - Christine Grosart's Fundraising Page
If you prefer not to use this well known and secure website, you can post a cheque made out to : Salisbury Hospicecare Trust and post to :
FAO John Lakeman,Salisbury Hospice, SDH, Salisbury SP2 8BJ
Please enclose a note that it is for our DW attempt.
Their website is :
Salisbury Hospicecare Trust - Salisbury Hospicecare Trust
Many thanks for your support !
Christine & Kevin
p.s Here is a Youtube link which you may enjoy, following our training so far.... Turn the volume up !!
YouTube - Devizes to Westminster training
