Dauntsey’s Adventure Team has had its largest ever number of applications to secure a place in the School’s team for the infamous Devizes to Westminster (DW) canoe race, known as ‘The Canoeist’s Everest’.
Sam Moore, Head of Adventure Education at Dauntsey’s, said: “Months of lockdown have certainly not diminished our Lower Sixth pupils’ appetite for adventure. We have had 43 students apply, many of whom have never paddled before. They have been making good progress in the canoes, practising their technique, steering, situational awareness and communication and working towards their best times across our trial course.
“They are setting some competitive times and spending less time swimming in the canal so we are heading in the right direction!”
Each student practices paddling the lightweight and unstable canoes and then takes part in trials to secure a coveted place in Dauntsey’s DW team for the race which takes place at Easter 2021.
The DW involves a paddling a gruelling 125-mile course from Devizes in Wiltshire to Westminster in London and tackling 77 portages (where the crews need to carry their boats around a lock).