TAVISTOCK students were well represented in this year's Devizes to Westminster canoe race over the Easter weekend. All the teams entered from both Kelly and Tavistock College were successful in completing the gruelling 125 mile race along the Kennet and Avon canal and the river Thames.
The endurance event combines technique, stamina, and atheleticism and the two man teams are reliant on a support crew providing high energy food, drinks and encouragement. Paddling for hour after hour over 4 days the canoeists each made about 100,000 paddle strokes during the race, plus they had to negotiate their way around some 77 locks, weirs and low bridges, carrying their canoes at speed. The final day ends with a rapid dash down the tidal Thames with the finish opposite Parliament under Westminster Bridge.
Many of the canoeists were sponsored and raised money for their chosen charities. It is expected that significant funds will be raised for Children's Hospice South West (£800), Cancer Research, and WellChild.
The teams and times were:
Rhys Byrne (Kelly) and Andy Worth: 18 Hrs 11mins, Tom Bury and James Macfarlane(Kelly): 19 Hrs 00mins, Georgina Killingbeck and Lizzie Tilley(Kelly): 19 Hrs 29mins, Haydon Brown and Mike Riddiough-Allen(Kelly): 20Hrs 12mins,
Jack Ellacott and Ollie Macmanus(Kelly): 20Hrs 16mins, George Coiley (Tavistock) and Graham Coiley : 20 Hrs 39 mins, Giles Kisby and Mike Ashley(Kelly): 22Hrs 50mins, Sinead Kenna ( Tavistock) and Carlos Citara (Kelly): 22 Hrs 51 mins, Roseanna Perry and Anastasia Steed(Kelly):23Hrs 20mins, Chrissie Corlet and Robert Wilson(Kelly): 23Hrs 47mins, Gabriella Murphy and Beth Newton(Kelly) 24Hrs 20 mins. Tom Rodgers (Tavistock) and Pete Rodgers: 26 Hrs 59 mins
Thank you to all those involved, and Kelly College staff for their enthusiasm and expertise.