Job Done

DW 2009

Both Crews booked into a bed and breakfast close to the start at Devizes.

Len and Nick started at the earliest time of 7am and Rob and Simon opted for an 8.20am start. Timings are important to ensure you arrive at the tidal section of the Thames when the tide is going out. If the tide has turned when you get to Teddington you have to wait for the next tide.

The boat is taken into the Marshall's area and a kit check is carried out before going to get your race number sticker for the boat and both crew members getting crimped wrist tags.

We were ready to go at 7.45 in the marshalling area waiting to get in at 8.15am. James Cracknell was there with a film crew and we were looking to see the type of boat he had mastered. We also saw Owen Peake, the favourite to win the race. At the speed he paddled, I reckoned he would not be getting in until 1pm or 2pm.

We got away at 8.16am. We were apprehensive about what lay ahead but glad to get underway after all the training and preparation.

The Pound was first. Fourteen miles of nothing. After about 10 miles we had to stop for a wee. I'm told real racers do it in their boats .... No Way!! James Cracknell went past us at this point and we heard "They have got a speedcoach - I could have brought mine", before he was gone.

The Speedcoach is a speedometer that has a tiny impeller stuck to the bottom of the hull to measure the speed of the boat through the water. By keeping the speed of the boat at 5mph we were at a good cruising speed without burning ourselves out.

The second piece of technology we were using was my Blackberry. This was on my back in a clear waterproof wallet with line of sight to GPS Satellites. Our support crew could log on to Google Latitude with a laptop or another Blackberry and get a real time position for us with an accuracy of about 50m.

During the latter stages of the Pound, I saw Uday the swan. That's him Rob, the one that wacked me on Waterside D. He saw me too and came straight in for the same style of attack. I held my paddles horizontal to fend him off and he passed us without incident. Minutes later we heard beating wings, as he took off behind us for an attack from our rear. I braced myself for him flying into my back as the sound got closer and warned Rob. The bird hit the water between our paddles right next to the boat. I was so relieved but didn't know he was going for the rear of my right arm and Rob had given him a good wallop with his paddle to fend him off.

The Bruce Tunnel was fairly uneventful in our stable boat. At the Crofton flight we met our Support crew and ditched our camelbacks. We managed a steady jog along the length of the flight.
We found the canal section to be very straight forward. We had covered it all several times, our portaging was smooth, our support crew were faultless and we had a mental goal to get to the compulsory portage at Reading. We knew we could do that. We passed Nick and Len between Newbury and Reading a noticed a couple of crews looking weary at this stage.

At Reading we were at the compulsory portage for about 4 minutes. Liquid, food, light on the boat, crack the light sticks on our bouyancy aids and go.

Our next stop was Marsh where we were to get into warmer night clothes. We were lucky with the weather - 13degrees by day and 4 degrees at night, very little wind , slight rain but unfortunately very little river flow. Again, the support crew were brilliant at Marsh. A complete change of clothes, warm chilli and rice, back into the boat and away all within our allotted 12 minutes. At this point we were 5 minutes ahead or our planned time (a race duration of 24.5 hours) Excellent!

On the river section we had planned for 1mph of flow and as there was very little flow our times started to drop off steadily. Also we were walking at the locks in the dark. It was fine to Cookham Lock at the 75 mile stage and then we started dropping back substantially from our planned times. We first started to feel tired at Old Windsor Lock at the 87 mile stage.

For the three miles between Sunbury and Molesey and then the 5 miles from Molesey to Teddington we had to dig deep. We comforted ourselves that once at Teddington we would float down to Westminster on the tidal flow.

At Teddington we were shattered. We should have stopped and had a substantial meal to prepare us for the final 17 miles, but we didn't. The Marshalls took the mickey out of our clothes - "matching colour co-ordinated gear guys - very nice". All in orange we were getting known as the "Tango Boat" and the "Happy Crew" as we had been smiling nearly all the way earlier in the day.

Our support crew knew we were pooped at Teddington so they sweetly encouraged us by shouting "Death or Glory" at us as we joined the tidal section.

This is where the mental game began. Think of 17 miles and you cannot do it. Think of 3 miles to the next bridge and you might just do it. We got to Putney Bridge, 6 miles to go and our support crew were cheering from the bridge. I was at my absolute lowest. No energy whatsoever and I had no idea how we could cover the next 6 miles. We had stopped drinking so we didn't have to stop on the tideway for a wee. Once I took a big slug of the energy drink I felt better within a couple of minutes. I told Rob we had to drink and he told me that we should enjoy the scenery because it would take our mind off things and we were never going to see this view again. Despite our pathetic speed of 3mph through the water, we were soon at Westminster.

When we saw the bridge, we couldn't believe that we had made it. Devizes the previous morning and now Westminster. The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust banner was hanging from the bridge and we had a fantastic welcome as we arrived.

We were helped out of the boat at the bottom of the steps in front of County Hall. Our medals were presented to us at the top and we were welcomed by our supporters.

Nick and Len were behind schedule and stepped up the pace on the last few legs to Teddington and made it to the tide window with only minutes to spare. The tide was coming in as they approached Westminster making their final leg even tougher. A magnificent effort in a boat 7kg heavier and slower than ours.

Thanks to our support crews for a brilliant job and to each and every sponsor who put their faith in us. The sum raised for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust is magnificent and is down to each and every one of you.

Position:

All Senior Doubles Teams - Marlow CC - 6th out of 8

Civilian Senior Doubles Teams - Marlow CC - 3rd out of 4

All Senior Doubles Crews - 306 (Simon & Rob) 92nd out of 176 / 341 (Nick & Len) 113th out of 176.

All Civilian Senior Doubles Crews - 306 (Simon & Rob) 63rd out of 131 / 341 (Nick & Len) 81st out of 131

Veteran Doubles Crews - 306 (Simon & Rob) 38th out of 75 / 341 (Nick & Len) 49th out of 75

Times:

306 (Simon & Rob) - 26 hrs 47 mins

341 (Nick & Len) - 29 hrs 13 mins

Amount raised for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust as at 21st May 2009: £21,242

Crew 1 at the end of the DW 2009 Senior K2 Race

Both crews completed the race - a fantastic achievement.

Rob has taken on some really serious mountaineering challenges in his time having previously climbed several un-climbed mountains in Greenland said "This is by far the toughest thing I have ever done. I am never doing it again." There must have been six guys in the changing rooms after the race, army PT instructors etc. They all said the same...........never again.

A big thankyou to the support crews. You cannot complete this race without very good support and you did a fantastic job................ all through the night.

Finally, thanks to each and every one of you who sponsored us to raise funds. During the times when we were at our lowest it was the thought of letting you down that drove us on. A glance at the Charity logo on the boat and then thinking of all those who had faith in us finishing the race reminded us we had to finish.

Full race update to follow shortly.

Waterside D - Devizes to Newbury

Nick & Len in the "Water Rat" K2

Early start tomorrow as the clocks go forward one hour tonight. The race is 34 miles and 35 portages and check in is from 6am (which is 5am right now so leaving home at 3.30am!).

Rob has had some cosmetic surgery and is concerned about getting rats wee in his wounds or something.

Couldn't seem to tell fibs that were convincing enough to get someone else to step in, so I am on my own. Andy Cook has kindly lent me a K1 which I tried out at Marlow so I am ready.

Len and Nick have ditched the Explorer for tomorrow and are trying out a Water Rat K2 which is stable with a nice hull shape and large cockpits. Its not lightweight but weighs 15Kg less than the Explorer! Thanks again to Andy Cook.
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I set off in the Zephyr K1 from Devizes at 7.45am. As soon as I got into the boat it seemed a little more unstable than I remembered from my quick trial under Marlow Bridge. I couldn't seem to settle into an easy paddling rythm and had to concentrate really hard to stay upright especially as K2's came past. The 14 mile pound seemed to go on forever and I was glad for the first lock to appear to get out of the boat. On the positive side I had not fallen in.

Then I met a Swan I am going to call Uday. Many paddlers will have heard of the legend of Saddam the swan who attacked DW paddlers with tremendous ferocity. You can see him in action here:

http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13510&highlight=devizes+westminster

Anyway, I am reliably informed that Saddam the swan is dead. Rumour has it that he took on someones dog and didn't survive the experience.

So here I am paddling along with Uday in front of me all puffed up with his wings in two beautiful arcs meeting at head height over his back. My bow was going straight towards him and I assumed he was full of wind and would paddle out of my way at the last minute. He moved just out of the way and as he came level with me he timed his attack perfectly. It didn't cross my mind he could get past my flailing paddles but as my right paddle was in the water he rose up and struck me on my arm level with the bicep. There was a lot of power in that wing and he struck me hard with the bone that is connected to his shoulder. The noise of the thwack and the pain of bone to bone contact really made me wonder if he could have fractured my arm.

The real Uday was head of the Iraqi Olympic committee and used to torture athletes who didn't perform...................... I wasn't performing so maybe the name for this swan is perfect.

The Bruce Tunnel was a real challenge as there was no way I wanted to fall in. I could see the chains at the side which you are supposed to cling to if you fall in and wait for the safety boat. I was glad as I passed the half way stage of the 599yds and it started to get lighter.

My portage approach is pretty good in our stable K2 but I had never done it in a K1. Never the less I got to the end of Crofton before over braking tipped me in. I did the same on two further occasions before I got fed up and adopted a more cautious approach. My day didn't seem to be getting any better.

Sometimes I lost concentration and wobbled precariously. On one occasion there was a K2 behind me with the guys talking very loudly as I had a major wobble just past Great Bedwyn. "look at him, he won't make it, technique is crap. Probably just rocked-up today........".

Thanks lads. After that I was more determined than ever to try and get it right but my unstable episodes continued but with less frequency.

The blue sign on the canal saying three miles from Newbury was very welcome. I was trying to catch a C2 with a couple of teenage lads in it and the only way I was making progress was at the portages. At the final portage before the low bridge in Newbury I pulled in early behind them, hoiked the boat out and ran round them. I dropped the boat in to cross the canal and did exactly the same to another C2 before getting in behind the lock and then across the finish line.

As I crossed the finish line I knew I had been very slow but was relieved to finish and put the day down to good excercise to prepare for DW.

34 miles, 35 portage and it had taken me 7hrs 29mins. I was the slowest K2 Veteran.

I reckon that in our Nelo K2 we would have done it in 6hrs 30mins and we would have been happy with that. I am going to give my K2 partner a good talking to about the timing of his cosmetic surgery! I guess he wants to look like my old action man........you know, short fuzzy hair and eagle eyes.

Nick & Len found the Water Rat to be about the same speed as the Explorer but it is 16KG! lighter and the steering is much better and they didn't fall out at all.

The Royal

The Royal is a 19 mile race from Runnymede to Teddington passing through just 6 locks. The race was scheduled to start at 12.00hrs for the senior men in K2's. Here are Simon and Rob getting into the Thames at Runnymede for the start of the race. It was a warm sunny day but we had to remember there are wide wind-swept areas of river and the weather can change quite significantly.

Len and Nick are seen here below getting into the water in a Condor K2. The boat is faster than our Waterman and one of the more stable racing K2 boats but the skill of staying upright in such a boat needs to be learnt and its much easier to learn in your early teens.

To their credit, Len and Nick have had some training and spent several evenings on the river trying to aquire the skills to stay upright. I paddled from Marlow to Hurley to meet them last Thursday and they were paddling along nicely. Today there was quite a bit of banter as to what comment they would make as they passed us in the race and they had settled on a smug grin.

In the top picture you can see us all at the start. There were just eleven senior K2 crews. Our boat is the orange and black one nearest the camera and you can see it is wider than all the other boats as it is built to be a sea kayak. We reckon that the stability of this boat will stand us in good stead for the Devizes to Westminster race in 3 weeks time.

Just after the start, Nick and Len were turned over and the moment was caught on camera by my daughter Emily. The race didn't get any better for the lads and they were soon in again in an area where the banks were too high to get out. Only one thing to do and that is make like a floater. They did just that for about 6 mins until they could get out and by that time they were very cold indeed and retired. Well done lads for giving it a go. We admire your pluck.

Rob and Simon knew nothing of this and were paddling hard expecting Len and Nick to be on them at any time and with a smug smile. We would without a doubt have preferred that. In this race we learnt not to go into the shallows. As we cut one corner it was like the brakes going on and we could see the sandy bottom about 18 inches below the boat. At one portage about 10yds from where we were due to get out two K2's shot up the inside of us. We were not impressed until we saw it was it was the red haired twins? (just 15 yrs old) in a duel with another young ladies crew. My son was not impressed after the race that were were soundly beaten by a couple of 15yr old girls and even less so when I told him that they had barged us out of the way at a portage. They are good......very good.

As we paddled away from the last lock we knew it was about 3.8miles to go and I thought the guy in the briefing had said the finish was just before a bridge. The bridge came into site and we gave it everything to get to the finish and catch up with a yellow C2. We passed the C2 and looked for the finish but it was a long way past the bridge and it was a real slog to maintain the pace we had set thinking the finish was in sight.

Out of the ten senior K2 boats that finished we came last with a time of 2hrs 42mins and we have never paddled as hard. Our average speed was 6.8mph.

Waterside C

Rob couldn't make it and Nick was ill with a stomach bug.
I had arranged to do the race with Len (crew2) but at 04.40am on Sunday morning I got back from St Peters A&E, Woking and had to cancel to look after my daughter the next day - the little luv. Sorry Len.

Thameside 2 - Caversham to Longridge, Marlow

The check-in was quite different as the river was fast flowing earlier in the week and there were risk assessments to do on each crew including checking each boat before we could start. It was a mass start rather than being released 1 min apart in groups of four or five boats. The water before Caversham lock was really choppy having been churned up by the lead boats and we were close to tipping over even in our boats.

The first few portages were a bundle and the rules seemed unclear. Some crews were queueing and others were barging through. We did a bit of both.

The weather was fine when we started as you can see from how we are dressed but after a couple of hours the temperature dropped about 8 deg! and it rained heavily.

The support crew met us twice after each hour at Marsh and Hurley as there was no access to sonning or shiplake. The support worked well.

We followed the leading C2 crew to Marsh and the work rate of the veteran guy and junior girl was quite inspiring. We passed them at the Marsh portage and they came into Longridge not far behind us. A fantastic effort from them.

Our average speed with 8 portages on this stretch was 7.1mph so the flow had to be 1.3mph plus. When we passed under the Marlow by-pass bridge at the finish there was a huge cheer from at least 10 family members who have all lived in Marlow at some stage. It was a great welcome. Thanks.