Christmas update from the ThruDark DW umpire

Christmas is just around the corner, but for many people their training for the ThruDark Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race is already in full swing.

And with that in mind, the ThruDark DW chief umpire, Owen Peake has an update for those currently training.

The DW Organisation acknowledges that the 2024 Senior Doubles race was run in exceptional conditions in regards to the river flow.  

1. As per our normal procedures we review our risk assessments and management following each event and for this year following an analysis of the feedback received via the paddler’s questionnaire that was sent out after the race, the Enhanced Screening Process for Senior Doubles will be adjusted to factor in the forecasted darkness levels as part of the race conditions. For the 2024 race this was due to near zero ambient light due to the abnormally late moon rise. This data is freely available and so can be included in the course scoring.  

2. The questionnaire provided some very interesting data and suggested that even very experienced crews found the combination of high river flows (speed) and poor visibility (darkness) exceptionally challenging. 49% of crews that responded to the questionnaire collided with an object enroute. 

3. Evidenced by the incidents , the section between Reading and Boulters Lock offered the largest navigational challenge to Senior Doubles due to:

   a) Multiple islands 

   b) Flow confluences 

   c) Lack of ambient lights from towns or villages 

4. DW accepts that the cancellation of Thameside 2 may have meant that paddlers who had planned to race on that day may not have had another opportunity before Easter to paddle that part of the course. 

5. Knowledge of the course, particularly the Reading to Boulters lock section, is a key factor in mitigating risks of navigation error in the dark. DW cannot emphasise this enough to paddlers. If you are only able to do limited training sessions on the Thames, DW recommends that at least one of these should be on this section.   

6. At this point in paddler’s training regime, DW would like to remind everyone of the importance of support crews.  A well trained support crew cannot necessarily get you to the end of the race,  but a poorly prepared one can certainly end your race.  Our advice is to select your support crew early and with care and get them out on your training runs when possible. They need to read the handbook and know the rules (we have issued many penalties to crews because of support crew misdemeanours), and they are ultimately there for your safety and wellbeing during the race. Of course the trackers and time predictors make it much easier to know where your crew is and what time to expect them at locks, but what they do at the feeding points and how they do it needs preparation, planning and understanding by all members. 

7. DW is aware of some independent courses being put on to help paddlers gain some experience, knowledge and skills in support of their DW challenge. DW endorses these courses as they will supplement your own training plans and increase your chances of a successful DW in 2025. Should we need to implement the Enhanced Screening Process for the 2025, attendance of one of these courses is likely to increase a paddler’s rating (although it would not guarantee a starting place as there are many other factors we have to take into account as part of the ESP).  

Have a very merry Christmas, and we look forward to seeing you on the water soon!