Race Info & Rules
Photo: Julie Raworth
Event Outline
The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race (DW) is the world’s longest non-stop canoe race. Taking place over the Easter weekend every year (with a few notable exceptions) since 1948, paddlers begin their journey in the small town of Devizes, Wiltshire and paddle 125 miles and navigate 77 locks until they reach Westminster in the heart of London.
The Senior Doubles class tackles the event non-stop, and since it’s a time trial event, paddlers in that class also choose their start time, enabling them to hit the tidal section of the River Thames when the tide window opens. The current record stands at 15h19m35secs.
Alongside the Senior Doubles class there are four stage classes that race over four days. However, in 2025 the DW will run two extra classes on a trial basis - a senior singles SUP class will be added to the stages race, and there will also be a Relay class for Senior Doubles.
Whilst the challenge has remained essentially the same since its inception in 1948, there have been several changes to the rules on safety grounds over the lifespan of the race. Notably paddlers no longer have to be self-sufficient for the race duration with bank-side support crews allowed to supply food and drinks to the competitors along the course as well as provide additional clothing should paddlers require it. Additionally, every competitor is fitted with a GPS tracker so that both race control and support crews can know exactly where the paddlers are at any time.
HandBook 2025
For comprehensive rules and information on DW Race, download our latest Rule Book.
Event Start and Finish Points
Senior Doubles – Start at Devizes Wharf, Wiltshire. Finish at Westminster Bridge, London.
Stage Race Day 1 – Start at Devizes Wharf, Wiltshire. Finish at Northcroft Leisure Centre, Newbury.
Stage Race Day 2 – Start at Northcroft Leisure Centre, Newbury. Finish at Marlow Rugby Football Club.
Stage Race Day 3 – Start at Marlow Rugby Football Club. Finish at Thames Young Mariners, Richmond.
Stage Race Day 4 – Start at Thames Young Mariners, Richmond. Finish at Barn Elms Boat House, London.
Event Timings
Because the finish of the race is on the tidal part of the Thames all paddlers will aim to finish on the ebb tide or slack water. Therefore, the finish window at Westminster changes each year dependent on the tide times at Easter. However, the following Westminster finish windows are typical in any given year.
Senior Doubles - Start times between 05:00 and 17:00 Easter Saturday.
Senior Doubles - Finish times between 05:30 and 15.00 Easter Sunday.
Stage Race Day 1 – Start times between 07:00 and 10:30 Easter Friday.
Stage Race Day 1 – Finish times between 14:00 and 18:00 Easter Friday.
Stage Race Day 2 – Start times between 06:45 and 10:00 Easter Saturday.
Stage Race Day 2 – Finish times between 13:00 and 18:00 Easter Saturday.
Stage Race Day 3 – Start times between 06:45 and 10:00 Easter Sunday.
Stage Race Day 3 – Finish times between 13:00 and 18:00 Easter Sunday.
Stage Race Day 4 - Start times at High Tide Easter Monday (typically between 04:00 and 08:00).
Stage Race Day 4 - Finish times 90 minutes to 4 hours after start time on Easter Monday (typically between 05:30 and 11:30).
Support Crews
All competitors are strongly advised to have support crews that follow them down the course, providing food, drink, spare clothing and replacement kit. All supporters are bound by the DW Supporters Code of Conduct and are briefed at the start of the race on the role of the support crew and any updates on the course and safety matters. Breaches of the Supporters Code of Conduct can result in a time penalty or disqualification of their racing crew. Support Crews of the stage races are limited to 2 supporters per paddler and 2 cars per boat, and the nominated supporters are issued with arm bands for identification purposes. Only these official supporters can service the paddlers during the race.
Race monitoring
The DW Canoe Race features a full control centre that monitors all crews’ progress via GPS tracking. Incident management is also controlled from here. In addition, we have several checkpoints along the course manned by marshals who visually monitor paddlers and their wellbeing.
Along the course there are over 100 marshals posted at a variety of locations bank side who guide the paddlers through portages, ensure safe crossing of any roads and bridges and administer first aid where required.
The DW Canoe Race also has a first aid team, and safety provisions on the water on the tideway.
Toilet Facilities
It is generally expected that supporters will use public toilets along the route, but temporary toilets are provided at Devizes, Pewsey, Aldermaston, Dreadnought Reach, Old Windsor, Teddington, Thames Young Mariners and Westminster for use by both competitors and supporters. The rules state that paddlers or supporters are not allowed to relieve themselves in public and any such offence will result in a time penalty or disqualification.
Charitable Status
The Devizes to Westminster Organisation Ltd is a Not-for-Profit Organisation although a race entry fee is charged to all competitors to cover the cost of running the event. Every year many paddlers will raise money for charity and the DW recognises these efforts and awards a trophy for the crew that raises the most money. Over the years, it is estimated that DW paddlers have raised nearly £2M for charity.