Devizes crews at the ready (From This Is Wiltshire)

Devizes crews at the ready

7:00am Sunday 7th March 2010

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At least 16 crews from the Devizes area will be setting off from the Wharf on Good Friday on the annual Devizes to Westminster canoe race.

It is an indication of the astonishing success of Devizes Canoe Club, set up by canoeist and businessman Nick Cox, and follows last year’s race when Owen Peake was the first local resident to win since the race’s inception in 1948.

The club now boasts 120 members, most of whom participate regularly, enabling the club to enter 16 crews, if not more, in this year’s event.

Nine of them are entered in the senior doubles category, who paddle through the night to complete the 125-mile course along the Kennet and Avon Canal and into the River Thames, finishing at Westminster Bridge.

Mr Cox said: “The club has been such a success because a lot of people see the race setting off from Devizes each Easter and think about getting involved, but don’t know how to begin.”

In this category are friends Leigh Wells and Lee Nott, from Devizes. Mr North said: “It has been hard as far as the training is concerned. But there is a social side. It is a huge challenge but we’re confident of finishing.”

The other club entrants in the senior doubles are Matt Armstrong and Chris Mead, Mark Bouch and Holly Lindop, Pete Corbett and Steve Campbell, Alex and Steve Holloway, Doug North and Steve Weller, Adi Nutland and Stuart Bell, Gary Wootton and Gary Lavery and John Fletcher and Jason Hillier.

The club is also entering six junior doubles crews.

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