Pepper News

Devizes to Westminster Canoe Triumph

David Richardson and Max Hayden of Berkhamsted took part in the most challenging canoe marathon in the world on 11th April 2009 to raise funds for The Pepper Foundation.  David and Max covered 125 miles from Devizes in Wiltshire all the way to Westminster Bridge in Central London in a two-man canoe.

They had been in training since June 2008, lost over 3 stone between them, completed 6 warm up races in February and March covering over 150 miles, had invested time in meticulous planning and brought together a fantastic support crew of 6 to cover 4 main stops and over 20 quick ‘refueling’ stops over 30 hours.  They set off from Devizes Wharf at 4pm on Easter Saturday ready for their most extreme physical challenge either of them had ever faced.  They reached the finish line at 9.30pm on Easter Sunday and finished in 29 hours and 28 minutes despite an injury to David’s shoulder.  They were placed 117th out of 176 starters which was a great achievement considering 40 crews failed to finish altogether!

David summed up his experience by saying: ‘After having spent 9 months in training and almost 30 hours in our kayak we were helped out of our seats at the steps of County Hall and walked up the steps together with the sense of pride in our achievement gradually sinking in. Our efforts however would have counted for nothing without the tremendous support we had from everyone who sponsored us raising over £6,000 for the Pepper Foundation, and the support and care from our wonderful support team who kept us going though our lowest points.  So 125 miles, 77 portages, over 120,000 paddle strokes the DW was ‘ticked’ off and in the immortal words borrowed from Sir Steve Redgrave “if we ever get back in a boat again shoot us”.

14th July 2009

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