DW directors’ statement regarding 2024 finish

You will all be aware of the simply outstanding effort by the Friends of DW to launch and run an appeal to enable a Senior Doubles Westminster finish to happen, and at the same time secure the financial stability of the organisation for the short term. We set a target figure to be raised of £30K – it looks like the total will be in excess of £32,500. Once again, we say a massive thank you to those who have donated. As a result of this mammoth fundraising effort, the Directors are pleased to make the following announcements:

Senior Doubles Race

The 2024 Senior Doubles DW Race will run to Westminster.

However, the usual caveats for the tideway still apply regarding factors outside our control such as heavy fog, high winds or an incident on the course. In such circumstances the PLA will be in contact with our Gold Command and advise of any necessary actions we need to take, including race termination.  

One of the extra safety measures in place for 2024, that of some of our volunteers being placed in the wheelhouses of the Thames Clippers, is being run as a trial to ascertain the viability of returning all Classes to a Westminster finish in 2025.  We are extremely grateful to the volunteers with appropriate experience who have made themselves available for this key role.

Junior Doubles Race

As per our previous statement, the 2024 Junior Doubles DW Race will terminate at Dreadnought Reach. This will be a race, and the same as last year, medals, trophies and certificates will be awarded.

Senior Singles and Junior Veteran Race and Endeavour Event

The above Classes will run to Thames Young Mariners on the criteria that there are a minimum of 15 boats starting at Devizes. Should that number reduce due to retirements before Dreadnought, or at Marlow, the race/event may be shortened.

Competitor Enhanced Screening

With the current flow rates on the Thames, and the forecasted rainfall in catchment areas, we will be deploying the Enhanced Screening Process (ESP) for this year’s race. This requires all entrants who will be paddling beyond Dreadnought (i.e. SD, SS, J-V and END) to complete a mandatory self-assessment form that will be emailed to them. DW will be scoring the course according to a number of factors and will assess all entrants against the predicted course score for Easter Saturday and Sunday.

A full copy of the DW Directors’ statement can be found here.