2024 early start window confirmed

An early start time for the Senior Doubles class of the 2024 Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race has been introduced following several requests from paddlers.

Due to the timing of the tide window for this year’s race, several paddlers made enquiries with the committee about the possibility of having an early start.

Upon consideration of this request, the DW committee has decided to allow paddlers to start early and have introduced an early start window, opening at 4:30am and closing at 5am on the Saturday morning.

DW Director Paul Fielden said: “We have received a number of requests from crews for an early start, together with their preferences on what time. 

“There is no unanimous start time across the requests received, so therefore we have made a decision to compromise in the hope it can work for all crews that require an early start.

“Most crews asked for a 5am start, so we will open the start window at 4:30am and keep it open until 5am - this is longer than we had originally planned. Crews must be on the water ready to cross the start line between these times.

“If you are on the water and miss the 5am start cut off, you will be timed as having started at 5am.

A reminder, any crew wanting an early start must be boat and kit checked on Easter Friday between 16:30 and 17:30. 

“On Saturday morning, you will be expected to turn up a maximum of 15 minutes before your intended start time, get fitted with a GPS tracker, get on the water and go.

“There should be no extra preparation undertaken within the boat compound on the Saturday morning.”