Laurie Jones

27 May 2010 10:16 pm

It is with very great sadness that we have heard that Laurie Jones, one of the original Devizes to Westminster paddlers, passed away on 10 May 2010.It was great to see Laurie, along with his three fellow paddlers Pete Brown, Brian Smith and Brian Walters at the DW 60th Anniversary Celebrations.We send our support and condolences to Laurie's family and friends.His memory will endure, just like the event he started.

DW in Canoe & Kayak

17 May 2010 9:26 pm

Good DW piece in the USA magazine Canoe & Kayak. We'd like to see more international entrants in K1s adn K2s taking on the race like Carter Johnson.

Good Prizegiving Turnout

16 May 2010 11:49 pm

A good turnout at the DW2010 Prizegiving on Saturday. Many thanks to Bill Moore for presenting the prizes. Images of the occasion can be seen at Zoom Photo Agency. And now it's time to start planning for next Easter.

Prizegiving - 2pm Start

12 May 2010 8:13 am

Prize giving this weekend. 2pm start - please arrive early so we can start on time. Full details 15th May 2010 at 2pm at Bouverie Hall, Pewsey, SN9 5ES. Plenty of parking, but share lifts if you can. See you at the weekend.

Paddles Lost at Hurley

21 Apr 2010 10:52 pm

Lost at Hurley, adjustable Braca IV with "SH" scratched onto the collar of each blade.If you have them, or know who does, please email Jaey Goodchild. Thanks.

DW2010 Record Breaking

21 Apr 2010 10:47 pm

A great year for racing, with new records in Ladies Junior race, Senior Century subclass and Senior Singles Veteran. Explore the record books on John Ince's results database.

DW2010 Prize Giving

20 Apr 2010 9:20 pm

Prize giving for DW2010 will bt on 15th May 2010 at 2pm at Bouverie Hall, Pewsey, SN9 5ES. Plenty of parking, but share lifts if you can.

Pictures For You

12 Apr 2010 8:24 am

Online pictures available through Zoom Photo Agency and PaddlePics should be up soon. And if you have any online galleries you want to share, email through the link.

Garmin

7 Apr 2010 12:49 pm

If anyone has a Garmin that was handed to a support crew at Bell Weir could you drop us an email. Thanks.

DW on ITV

6 Apr 2010 7:52 pm

See DW on ITV London Tonight.

Gluckstein Trophy Nominations

6 Apr 2010 7:26 pm

Nominations are invited for The Sir Louis and Lady Gluckstein Trophy for courage and fortitude. The DW Organisation sets a very high standard for the award of this Trophy and reserve the right not to award it if it considers that there is no suitably meritorious candidate. Nominations must be submitted to the Entry Secretary by Monday the 12th of April.

Race Progress

6 Apr 2010 9:03 am

Follow this years race here

Massive THANKS

6 Apr 2010 9:02 am

A massive thank you to all our wonderful volunteers. DW simply wouldn't work without you. (If you want to try volunteering next year, please do. Details on the Contacts page )

DW2010 in numbers

5 Apr 2010 8:57 pm

In total 324 crews started DW2010, with 250 making it to the finish at Westminster. In the Senior Doubles class, 54 crews retired - 35% of the entry total of 155 - testament to the deceptively tough conditions this year.

Day 4 - Stages Race

5 Apr 2010 8:55 pm

Congratulations to Tim Muller & Fred Reif of Cokethorpe School who came first in the Junior Doubles with a time of 15 hrs 43 mins and 23 seconds.Congratulations also to Steffan Burkhardt from Germany for winning the Senior Singles with a time of 15 hrs 7 mins and 15 seconds.

WANTED - Laptops

4 Apr 2010 11:34 pm

If you have a laptop you no longer need then we can make good use of it. Please email.

Senior Doubles Winners

4 Apr 2010 11:32 pm

Congratulations to Richard Hendron and Jim King, winners of DW2010 with a time of 16 hours and 20 minutes.

Day 3 - Stages Races

4 Apr 2010 11:32 pm

In the Junior Doubles, Muller & Reif of Cokethorpe School Canoe Club hold on to top spot with a time of 14:06:37. Stefan Burkhardt has increased his lead in the Senior Singles to six minutes with a time of 13 hours and 31 minutes. The different starts of Day 4 will be starting at 7:11 am, with boats expected to arrive in Westminster as early as 8:45.

Senior Doubles Overnight Update

4 Apr 2010 7:33 am

Night time has taken it's toll on the Senior Doubles field. As of 6:30am, 40 crews have retired, around one quarter of the field.

Day 2 - Non-stop and Day 2 Stages

3 Apr 2010 11:33 pm

Grim conditions again as the Senior Doubles non-stop race starts. Crews leaving from 7am through to 18:10, with most aiming to hit the 6:59 tide at Teddington on Sunday morning. In the stages race, Muller & Reif of Cokethorpe School CC are first with 9hrs 48 mins, a lead of 32 minutes. Steffen Burkhardt from Germany, with 9hrs 28 mins at Marlow, leads the Senior Singles by just under five minutes.Cold tonight, so tough for the all night crews (and support). Sunny intervals forecast for Sunday.

Day 1 - Stages Race

3 Apr 2010 12:16 am

Great racing, challenging conditions with rain for most of the morning and cold temperatures. Slightly better daytime forecast Saturday, althought night time temperatures are close to freezing. Whichever race you're in, wrap up warm!

Important Course Information

1 Apr 2010 1:36 pm

Boulters – Following complaints from residents, please note that the police will be vigilant in the area around Boulters Island. Please use the public car park, do not brew up on the pavement and expect to get a parking ticket if you park on the double yellow lines. Also note there is a height restriction on the car park.Longridge – Please be aware that there is very limited parking at Longridge. For those supporting the Stages Event, please minimise the number of vehicles that go there. There was severe congestion there last year and it caused great inconvenience to local residents. Please avoid if at all possible.Level crossings – If you park so as to impede the closure of Level Crossing gates, expect the police to take action. If you are seen to cross closed crossings, we will impose a severe time penalty or disqualification on the crew or crews you are supporting.Sunbury – Do not park in the pub car park unless you are also buying a drink or having a meal. This applies to all pub car parks on the course.Penton Hook – Supporters of non-stop crews are asked to keep ALL noise to an absolute minimum in this area. It is not fair on residents to repeatedly slam car doors, rev engines wildly and shout down the street at night.

Parking at Westminster

1 Apr 2010 1:35 pm

The Royal Festival Hall has kindly agreed to let us use their coach park on Monday morning. This will only be available to vehicles towing tall boat trailers. Limited space available, so first come, first served. We need to vacate it at 1 pm. All other vehicles to use the car park at St Thomas's or local commercial parking.

Corn Exchange Accommodation

31 Mar 2010 11:43 am

Please note that if you are staying at Corn Exchange on Thursday night, the door is shut at 11pm PROMPT!

Message from the Chief Umpire

28 Mar 2010 2:11 pm

With water levels looking high I'd urge everyone to prepare accordingly. We will be checking buoyancy aids, life jackets and boat buoyancy very carefully this year. In the wake of some rule breaches last year we have tightened up in some important areas, most notably on the condition of buoyancy aids/life jackets that we'll accept and in terms of some emergency kit such as survival bags. Please make sure you read the rules carefully and turn up with all the right gear - don't rely on being able to buy it at Devizes because we won't let you start if you don't have it. Remember that if you're approaching weirs in moderate to high stream, you must keep well clear - be safe rather than sorry. Never paddle too close to or attempt to moor up to stationary large boats when the river's flowing fast, especially on the Tideway. Umpires will be checking boats, kit and paddlers along the course to ensure adherence to the rules. We want to make sure everyone is having a safe race. This applies to those on the bank too. If you're supporting, please remember to park considerately and safely. Don't cause obstructions or access problems. Remember that some pub owners clamp your cars if you didn't buy a drink at their bar but still used their car park! Finally, please be courteous to the many residents who live by the river and canal and don't cause disturbance - we need their cooperation to continue running the race. Have a safe and successful event. Best wishes, Guy Dresser

Your News Story

28 Mar 2010 3:09 am

Have you got your DW story in the papers. Paul Homersham and Ben Jarvis got their story in the Newbury Weekly News. Newbury Weekly News.If you want to send us your press story, drop us an email.

Latest entries

27 Mar 2010 10:09 pm

Latest entries now up: per class and per sub-class

Campsite Massages

26 Mar 2010 11:45 pm

As with last year, there will be massages available for the weary at the campsites for the four-stage race. This will be provided by Revitalise Injury Clinic at a cost of £15.

DW on Outdoors TV

26 Mar 2010 4:04 pm

Get a taste of what's coming up over Easter by looking at DW2009 with a programme broadcast on www.outdoorstv.tv. Some great footage of the race. Add your comment on the DW Facebook page.

Late Entries

26 Mar 2010 10:25 am

If you're planning to enter, but still haven't done so please enter online before the day.Please note, if you're looking for a sub 20 1/2 hr time in the K2 Doubles you need to advise the Chief Umpire in advance. Therefore, you will need to enter before Saturday.

Entry list

22 Mar 2010 9:45 pm

Latest entries now up: per class and per sub-class

Entering at Waterside D

18 Mar 2010 9:18 pm

Sunday 21 March is the late entry deadline. For you, the entry fee goes up by 30%. For us, it's great to be able to process entries early. If you're competing in Waterside D and are planning to enter DW on the spot, please enter online before hand as it will be a matter of a minute or so to sort the entry as opposed to 10 if we have to enter the data on the day. Thanks.

DW on BBC Wiltshire

18 Mar 2010 12:08 pm

Interviews with our Devizes organisers, and Devizes Canoe Club on the Matthew Smith Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Wiltshire. Fast forward to 2hrs 21 mins. (If the link doesn't work, look for Mathew Smith, BBC Wiltshire on the BBC iPlayer).

Urgent Message for Support Crews

17 Mar 2010 11:06 pm

As the race progresses down the river, support crews are moving down the course. Please note that inconsiderate behaviour in any way could result in the crew on the water being docked time. Beyond that please be considerate at all times, and particularly through the night. Everyone involved with DW is an ambassador for the race. Inconsiderate behaviour affects everyone involved in the race. Also, for support crews, please note that you are providing support in public places and using public highways. You are subject to the usual rules and regulations. So can we urge you to behave as you would usually, or better. Please make sure your support crews have read this message.

K&A 200th Birthday

16 Mar 2010 1:05 am

As paddlers work their way along the Kennet & Avon Canal for Sunday's Waterside D, remember that trusty canal is celebrating it's 200th birthday this year. More information including events throughout the year at K&A 200. Wait a minute, do you think they might mention our canoe race at just 62 years young?

Tideway Training

12 Mar 2010 9:21 pm

Training on the tideway is always useful, but something that should be done with care and planning. The Heads of the River Eights is taking place on March 27. The veterans event is on the 28. The Thames is closed between Mortlake and Putney at times on both these days - details. There is a lot of borehole drilling along the mid-section of the tidal Thames, although this should not affect kayakers. For more information visit the Port of London Authority website.

Four Week Countdown

7 Mar 2010 9:13 pm

Training going well? Waterside C worked out well (for those able to get to the course). Getting the kit sorted out? Don't forget to enter. You can do it online now and tick that off your checklist. After 21 March (Waterside D) there's a late entry charge adding 30% to the normal entry fee.

Ready Steady Cook

7 Mar 2010 2:34 pm

Thanks to all the volunteers - new & experienced - who are helping out with the race. We need more at Westminster, particularly on the catering front. If you can spare a few hours on the Sunday or Monday, please contact Yvonne Riley - see Contact page.

Newsletter

12 Feb 2010 3:35 pm

Latest newsletter is out. If you haven't received it by email visit the news section now.

Enter Online

7 Feb 2010 11:43 pm

Just completed Waterside A and you're on schedule for DW? Enter online now.

Rule Changes for 2010 - Important - Please Read

23 Dec 2009 4:17 pm

Please be aware that the rules have been comprehensively updated for next year's race.Amongst a number of changes, you should note that we are more specific about acceptable safety kit, certain start windows have been altered, late entry rules have been tightened up and there are a host of other amendments. Ignorance of the rules is not an acceptable excuse so please take the time to read the rules carefully.

Thanks and Happy Christmas

20 Dec 2009 9:06 pm

A massive thank you to all our volunteers who helped out in 2009, to all those who are able (or are thinking) of working with us in 2010 (email), and to everyone training for the 2010 race.Happy Christmas and Best Wishes for 2010The DW Organising Team

Treasurer Wanted

15 Dec 2009 1:37 am

We're looking for a Treasurer to support the DW Organising Teams. You'd need to be numerically competent and ideally able to attend monthly meetings held in Wokingham. If you think you might be able to help, please drop us an email.

Waterside Entries Open

7 Dec 2009 10:03 pm

Waterside Race Series entries are now open. It's pre-entry only and numbers are limited. Click here to visit the Watersides website.

2010 Entries now open

21 Nov 2009 4:43 pm

Click here to enter.

Stan Newell

25 Sep 2009 9:22 pm

It is with great regret that we pass on the sad news that Stan Newell passed away suddenly on Friday 18th September. The funeral is likely to be during next week. For those who are new to the DW Race, Stan was the original "Chief Umpire". He became involved with DW through Police Cadet training for the and on retirement from the City of London Police force joined the organising committee of the race. Stan left an indelible impression on every one he met, Good humour coupled with good common sense, an amazingly scary shout with a ready smile that gave a great lift to many a tired and weary competitor. He was truly one of a kind and one of the Great Characters of DW. He will be sadly missed.