SEVERAL Kelly College students were among around 630 paddlers who attempted this year's 125-mile Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon in bitterly cold conditions.

Known as the 'Canoeists' Everest', the course follows the Kennet and Avon Canal, joining the Thames in Reading down to Teddington, where the river becomes tidal for the final stretch to Westminster.

In a year in which 20% of the senior paddlers retired because of the conditions, and some had to be treated for frostbite, all the Kelly paddlers completed the course.

Oliver Hancox and Clementine Boyle were the second fastest mixed team and achieved 16th overall. Guy Coulton and Alexander Boswell also did well, coming 29th overall with a time of 21 hours and 39 minutes.

Julia Howard had to change crew members at the last minute and paddled with a member of the Devizes Canoe Club. Despite not having met before or trained together, Julia and Kevin completed the course in 22 hours and 21 minutes and came 37th overall.

Lower sixth form student Laura Nicholas was one of the 17 pupils to complete the course: 'It was a painful, but very rewarding experience. At times, the thought of getting back into the boat and tackling another long day was almost overwhelming; however, it did not compare to the feeling of completing the event and arriving in Westminster. It was one of the hardest challenges of my life, but I am so happy and proud to have done it.'

Training for the event began in September and over the winter the team faced rain, snow, ice and strong winds in preparation for it. The training programme has included day and night paddling on various canals and rivers and a successful campaign in a series of sprint races held by Newbury Canoe Club.

Paul Birchell, who has been training the crews, said: 'This event is one of the longest kayak races in the world and this year the crews have done particularly well, given the cold conditions.'

Kelly College expressed congratulations to the squad of Alexander Boswell, Guy Coulton, Amy Anstee, Olivia Hampden-Smith, Benjamin Ashley, Will Stewart, Oliver Hancox, Clementine Boyle, Fleur Sylvester, Katy Collingwood, Henry Chamberlain, Matthew Earp, Julia Howard, Finn Ramirez, Leon Cording, Laura Nicholas and Louisa Butcher on their achievement.