Foundation Magazine 2021-2022 | Mount Kelly

ADVENTURE
DEVIZES TO
WESTMINSTER
ADVENTURE
Mr Francis’s classroom back in
September was overflowing
with those who’d expressed
an interest in DW – the world-famous
paddling challenge from Devizes in
Wiltshire to Westminster in London. It
quite quickly became apparent, however,
that it was not, perhaps, for everyone,
and only the most committed and resilient
were going to stick with it.
The very first session saw a few people
drop out, and over the course of the
Michaelmas Term as the temperature
dropped, so did the numbers, so that by
January there was just 6 crews, and only
then did the really testing training begin.
Mostly in windy and very cold conditions,
20km paddles became second nature,
as did three hour drives for training
weekends and races in Wiltshire. At this
point a special mention must go to Diya
Haresh and Anton Voytlander-Tetzner
who, despite not entering the Waterside
Races or the real DW event, undertook
the entirety of the training programme
through the depths of the winter… in itself
a huge achievement.
However, months of arduous training
brought us to Devizes Wharf, on the
morning of Good Friday, as our 5
determined pairs set off on the gruelling
108 mile route. Starting in Devizes in
Wiltshire, the race travels eastwards
along the Kennet and Avon Canal,
through the beautiful Vale of Pewsey,
through Hungerford, then Newbury,
then Reading, where the canal joins
the River Thames, which it then follows
towards London. Despite being a canoe
marathon, a considerable amount of
running is involved due to the 77 portages
- points at which the boats must be lifted
out of the water and carried around the
locks.
On the chilly morning of Good Friday we
all began paddling, setting off beneath
the famed Devizes Bridge and out
along the canal. Nerves soon settled,
and the paddling became easier as we
settled into our rhythm. With most of the
portages falling on day 1 it was a day of
constantly hopping in and out of the boat
until eventually we arrived exhausted but
elated at Newbury, 34 miles from where
we had begun almost 7 hours earlier.
Both mornings of the race we were
woken by the sounds of clattering pans,
alarm ring tones and the shouting of the
camp site marshalls. Amidst the frantic
packing up of the camp, a substantial
breakfast was needed to be had, which
consisted of porridge pots, bananas and
cereal bars.
Day 2 was similar to day 1 in its number
of portages and the distance however
this was the day we reached the Thames
at Reading, where the river opened
up to fabulous riverside houses with
boathouses containing top-end craft.
While this provided much-needed new
scenery it also presented the challenge of
side wind and turbulence, but all crews
made it through to the end of day two at
Marlow, and another night under canvas.
By the final day every mile began to
feel like five, but the thought of finishing
kept our spirits high. Our bodies were
in remarkable shape considering what
we had gone through but it was now
taking longer and longer to get back into
the boat and leave our support crews
after each portage. Pushing through the
fatigue, every crew made it over the final
finish line at Teddington in good time.
Even our blisters had blisters, aches and
pains merged into one and unfortunate
mid-river capsizes caused additional
difficulties for some.
Despite the odd moan and look of
despair, the Mount Kelly team had met
the challenge, and stood out as a highspirited,
highly motivated and dynamic
team.
The final positions of the Mount Kelly
crews were:
• Barney Reid and Jack Brijnath: 17th
out of 62 boats
• Annabelle Hess and Emily Forwood:
18th
• Finlay Barker and Arwen Thomas:
21st
• Ella Tanner and Ben Wilkinson: 41st
• And Felipe Bento and Alex Ley: 47th
Annabelle and Emily came 2nd in the
Junior Female category, Finlay and Arwen
came 8th in the Junior Mixed category,
and Jack and Barney came 10th in the
Junior Boys category.
As a squad, we decided to raise funds
for the Disasters Emergency Committee
Ukraine Appeal, and are proud to have
raised the grand total of £2,186.
Without the invaluable help of our parents
and supporters, our achievements simply
would not have been possible.
But above all, we must recognize the
unwavering dedication, expertise and
enthusiasm of our coaches, Mr Francis,
Mr Hayden-Davies and Mr Reid. Their
commitment, driving long hours,
encouraging us through wind and rain,
organizing everything, and pushing us
on, gave us the best possible chance
to complete what back in September
seemed nothing more than a distant
dream.
DW is often described as the most
mentally and physically demanding
challenge open to anyone under the age
of 19, and it certainly was the hardest
thing any of us have ever done, but I
know we’ll all look back on it with great
pride and satisfaction.
It was an extraordinary experience, and
one none of us will ever forget.
By Barnaby Reid and Arwen Thomas
Crews
Barnaby Reid and Jack Brijnath
Annabelle Hess and Emily Forwood
Finlay Barker and Arwen Thomas
Ella Tanner and Ben Wilkinson
Felipe Bento and Alexandra Ley
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