Waterside C Canoe Race
Paddlers break school record
On Sunday 15th March, the Dauntsey's Devizes to Westminster canoe squad took part in the 'Waterside C' canoe race. The race covers the 23 miles from Pewsey to Newbury Wharf, along the Kennet and Avon Canal, with a total of 35 portages in between.
The paddlers were lucky enough to enjoy glorious sunshine on the hottest day of the year so far, and all crew members rose to the challenge with good humour and great stamina. Their results are noteworthy: Olly G. and Jack T. finished in 3 hours and 52 minutes - the fastest time ever for a Dauntsey's crew. The top three Dauntsey's canoes (Olly and Jack, Charlie B and George D, George G and George H) is 16 minutes faster than the average for the last 10 years on Waterside C.
All the other crews achieved encouraging times which were very much in line with the last few years on the same race. Having now competed in the Waterside 'A' and Waterside 'C' races, this will be the last public race for the paddlers before the actual Devizes to Westminster Race on the Easter weekend. The squad's performance as a whole bodes well for DW, and we wish them all the very best of luck for the last few weeks of their training.
Congratulations also to Owen Peake (OD 92-99) and his paddling partner who won the Waterside C race with a time of 2 hours and 55 minutes; they are the ante post favourites to win DW this year.