Damien's D118 Devizes to Westminster

Done it!

The tideway was kind to us, and the last 10 miles were a doddle compared to the preceding 108. A perfect day really, encouraging the youngsters in our start batch and getting across the line at Barn Elms boat house to loud cheers. Medals, hugs, photos, a warm shower and then off to the pub. Photos later! Thanks to all who have donated so far 👍

Day 3 done!

38 miles today from Marlow to Thames Young Mariners a little past Teddington lock. Much less windy today and some really pleasant periods of sun. Nursing a hurty leg so a little slower on the portages but there were fewer of them today so that's good! Trying to resist the temptation to power up and try and race faster boosts with younger crews is hard... but at the finish it was impossible to resist. Great support again from the river sides. Now just one more short day, a couple of hours on the tidal Thames down to Barn Elms boat house near Putney. Nearly there!

Day 2 done, day 3 begins

Hard work in the headwind yesterday but 36 more miles munched. Off to Marlow shortly to start day 3!

Day 1 done!

7 hours and 41 minutes of paddling later... that's day 1 complete. Devizes Wharf to Newbury, 34 or so miles. Tougher than our training paddles, I guess because we were putting a bit more effort in, and having other boats in close proximity, particular at portages (getting out and back in again after walking round a lock), makes you put even more effort in! Up again early tomorrow morning to do another 36 miles. Thanks so much to those who have supported me so far!

Ready to go

Last post from me before setting off... The rain has started!

Day 1...5am update

5am day 1. It's looking wet later... 4 hours sleep and off to Devizes soon with the support vehicle stuffed full of kit! Doing this without our support team would be much much more difficult. So big thanks to Phil, Su, Mike, Paul, Laura, t'other Phil, Ian and Alan.

Training stats...

Weather weather...

I've been training for this paddle for nearly 3 years. We first intended to do it in 2023, but the race was curtailed at Reading due to flood conditions - heavy rain in the weeks leading up to the race had turned the Thames into a raging torrent. Last year was similar, and the finish had already been shifted to Teddington, with no guarantee it wouldn't be curtailed further once we were on the water. So we deferred again. This year, with a later Easter, it looks like the weather gods will be kinder. Currently there's rain for day 1, but sunny spells for the remaining 3 days. Fingers crossed that a day of drizzle is all we have to contend with!

I am raising vital funds for life-changing mental health treatment for veterans in memory of HMS Coventry D118

In April 1982 the first ships of the Royal Navy Task Force were enroute to the Falklands. Over the course of the next three months a hard fought war was won, but many lives were lost, and countless others changed forever.

Historically, the Ministry of Defence support given to those affected by their service experiences has been poor to say the least, so charities like Combat Stress are incredibly important.

So, due to a combination of drinking and saying 'Yes' when the idea of canoeing for 4 straight days from one side of the country to the other was suggested, and in memory of the crew of HMS Coventry D118, I'm paddling 118 miles in the Devizes to Westminster canoe race, with my friend Marion shouting at me from behind, to raise money for Combat Stress.

Devizes to Westminster is the UK's longest canoe race, usually covering 125 miles from the quay at Devizes in Wiltshire to Westminster Bridge in London. This year the class I'm entered in will be finishing a little short, at Putney, but as this makes it 118 miles I'm viewing it as a fortuitous coincidence with HMS Coventry's pennant number of D118!

Combat Stress is the UK's leading charity for veterans' mental health. For over a century, they've helped former servicemen and women deal with issues like trauma, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Today, they provide support to veterans from every service and every conflict.

Thank you so much for your support.