This is the first instalment of a series of articles about irish kayakers who have competed in the Devizes to Westminster, a 201km canoe race held in the UK. This article was written by Olivia Murphy who has been involved in marathon paddling for over ten years and entered the race on her own. Read more about Olivia at the end of the article.

How did you find out about the race initially and what was your first impression of it?

I first came across the Devizes to Westminster (DW) Canoe Race approximately 10 years ago when my then fiancé (now husband and recent DW supporter) were handed a flyer at the 2003 Liffey Descent. Thinking we were up for it but erring on the side of caution we attended a Marsport DW seminar, purchased some new kit and attempted Waterside D (34 mile) in 2004. After four hours and 15 mile on the canal, we called it a day but were invited to volunteer at the event later on that year, and so began our association with the DW.

What made you decide to do it?

After two years of volunteering as rescue, we trained and supported a junior crew to participate in the event; and they completed it in approximately 25 hours staying onsite and feeding themselves after each day’s paddle. After a year off due to personal commitments, we returned to the event as marshals for the senior doubles and covered Marlow (2009 to 2011) and Bray (2012 and 2013) checkpoints. Our first year on Bray, our seven and a half month old assisted and received a medal for his contribution which we were later told “we had to earn”; and so in 2013, the gauntlet was thrown down and taken up. However the decision to paddle DW had been made way back in mid 2012.

Did you enter with a partner or on your own?

In making the decision to paddle, a number of other items required consideration. First things first “solo or double”, solo it was. Next “buy / beg / borrow / steal” a K1, borrow it was. Third, start training – canal paddles, and runs. And so the training began.

What sort of training did you do?

October to December 2012, short paddles (approx six mile twice monthly) to reacquaint myself with a K1. Two mile monthly increments every month from January 2013 in addition to racing Canoe Marthon Ireland’s domestic season from March to October 2013. 30 mile a month (in batches of 12 and 18 mile) from October 2013 to February 2014. 15 mile a month (in batches of 6 and 9 mile) in March and April 2014. 3k, 5k and the odd 10k run throughout the 18 months. Trained in all kinds of weather – hail, rain, snow, ice, sun, heavy winds, etc (tough times but well worth it) – and received all kinds of advice from friends, event organisers, previous and existing DW paddlers, etc. And then it was Easter; and the event began.
Photo by Rob Murphy Photography

Were there any low points in the race?

After a two hour delay, day one (Good Friday) was a go – 34 mile to Newbury in 9h 16m with three swims (not bad, all things considered). Days two (36 mile) and three (38 mile), early starts and long days, but finished each day within the 10 hour window despite the loneliness (last five mile on Easter Saturday, last eight mile on Easter Sunday) and the poor weather (thunder, sheet lightning and rain) on Easter Sunday. Grit and determination got me through; and of course, the camaraderie on the water was great.

What kept you going when it got tough?

Paddlers egging you on – “well done K1, respect”; “well done K1, keep it going”; “well done K1, nearly there” – supporters (not even your own – special thanks to the Ralphettes) stuffing food in your mouth or helping you enter and exit the boat at higher portages; marshals, umpires and friends from the organising team having faith in you, cheering you on. And of course, the support from home was great – “Brilliant, keep it up, well done”, “Head up for the last leg”; “Wow, impressive. Well done. Massive achievement”; “Enjoy crossing the line at Westminster”! 28h 25m, 108 mile later and finally it was Easter Monday.
Photo by Rob Murphy Photography

What was a high point in the race?

Mass start at 7.35am (another early start) at Teddington for the K1s followed by groups of 10 fastest junior K2s, vet / junior K2s and Endeavour classes. 2h 43m later and I’m done (thanks to Simon Avery for keeping me company on the way down) – final time at Westminster 31h 08m 33s, yippee… Time for food; catch up with paddlers met along the way; and friends from the organising team – hugs and kisses, slaps on the back, “knew you could do it girl”, all round – before the journey home.

Would you do it again?

Would I do it again? Yes but not as a single, maybe as a double…

What advice would you give for someone who was considering entering in the future?

Is it worth doing? Yes but give yourself time to train for it (12 months at least). It’s hard! Training wise:

  • Get your distance in but vary it! Take a look at www.marsport.co.uk/DW for training plans, etc 
  • Attend a Marsport DW seminar. Check out www.marsport.co.uk/DWSeminars to book your place
  • Talk to paddlers who have done the event before 
  • If you’re planning on doing the senior doubles class, train on the water during the day and at night
  • Cross train – as well as paddling; run, consider circuit training, etc 
  • Practise your portaging 
  • Train your support crew but pick a good one (leave younger kids at home). Have at least two cars supporting on each of the three long days (Day one – Devizes to Newbury; Day two – Newbury to Marlow; Day three – Marlow to Teddington) whether you’re paddling junior doubles, vet / junior doubles, endeavour or senior singles. Double the number of support cars for the senior doubles event. 
  • Have good kit and lots of spares (e.g. thermals, hats, cags, shoes, etc) – you do get wet 
  • Choose your boat, paddle, paddling partner (if doing doubles), and support crew carefully 
  • Bring the tunes, and
  • Paddle. Remember, finishing is the aim 

If you’re considering doing it, the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race 2015 takes place from the 3rd to 6th of April, so get training now… Contact me if you’re looking for some advice. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you on the water in the not too distant future…

Olivia Murphy

About the author:

Olivia Murphy started paddling with the scouts over 20 years ago before moving through St Kevin’s College and GMIT Castlebar to study outdoor education. Primarily a whitewater paddler to begin with she got into marathon about ten years ago and has taken part in events such as the Liffey Descent, Riba de Sella, Tay Descent, Ardeche, Cankayak and now the Devizes to Westminster.
She believes “it’s only fair that after getting so much out of the sport, you put something back in” and volunteers at kayaking events both abroad and locally (including the DW, Liffey Descent, Junior Paddlefest and Club Champs) as well as instructing at club level in Kilcullen and Tullamore Canoe clubs, Grand Canal Sports and Athy Rowing and Canoeing Club and holding a voluntary position on the Canoe Marathon Ireland Technical Committee.
Olivia represents Kilcullen Canoe Club in races and is now working in mainstream sports development.
Part two: http://tdu.ie/index.php/2014/05/devizes-to-westminster-couch-to-canoe/