What it’s like to volunteer for the DW

Let’s be honest, the heroes of the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race aren’t the paddlers. They’re not the support crew and they’re not even the organising committee. They’re the volunteers.

Without the army of volunteers lining the bank from Devizes wharf all the way to Westminster bridge, the race simply couldn’t happen.

The volunteers really are the unsung heroes. No matter the temperature or the weather conditions, every year they come out in their droves to make sure 200 or so paddlers can tackle this great race.

Firstly, we want to say a huge thank you to every single volunteer that assists with the race over the course of the weekend. The hours, the dedication and the effort you put in is never unnoticed and is wholeheartedly appreciated.

But what is it like being a volunteer? Well, why not hear from Anne Jackson who’s spent several years getting involved with the race:

“I'm not a paddler and never have been. In 2012 Keith Bennett - who was involved with the race, and who I knew - asked me what I was doing at Easter and he asked if I could spare some time. I live in West London and at that point worked in Central London. I retired in 2016 from the Civil Service where I have volunteered in sport for 30 years,” Anne explained.

“That first year I manned the supporters refreshment tent in the grounds of St Thomas' hospital making teas and coffees and handing out slabs of bread pudding, cake and biscuits in return for donations to the Evelina Children's fund.

“I was at Westminster for a few years doing various roles. Marshalling by the steps, trying to keep the public and the paddlers separate as their boats reached the top of the steps. Depending on the time the race finishes it can be very busy between the London Eye and Westminster Bridge and handing out medals.

“My claim to fame is giving Steve Backshall and Helen Glover their medals at the top of the steps when they competed. By this time I was volunteering for two days every year.

“Five or six years ago I found myself at Shiplake Lock on the Saturday which is a closed lock so no supporters allowed. I went prepared with chocolate and jelly babies to feed the Juniors mainly. It's a beautiful settling between Henley and Sonning and the portage is on a private island with wooden lodges which are rarely occupied at that time of the year. There are always two marshalls here and I've always been lucky with the weather. 

“This year I marshalled at Shiplake with a lady called Barbara Small who had travelled from Leicestershire. She is a paddler. I'd never seen the river as high with it lapping the concrete on the portage out. We were warning the paddlers as they approached so they didn't damage their boats. The weir gates on the other side were fully open so to get back into the river was a challenge in the torrent of water coming down. I dealt with the getting out and Barbara looked after them getting back in. The first two photos show either side of the portage with the difference in the water. 

“On Sunday this year I was due to be on one of the Thames Clippers advising the captain of approaching paddlers but with the Tideway being red flagged I had agreed with Pete Ford that if we weren't going to Westminster I would go to Penton Hook lock near Staines. I hadn't been there before but introduced myself to the lock keeper ( always a good idea). Having seen the pull of the flow towards the weir I sent a message to the marshalls at Bell Weir ( the lock upstream) to advise the paddlers to hug the left bank to try and avoid the pull. It was very busy with walkers and joggers and I had to explain what DW was a few times. Seeing race on my hi-vis they thought it was a running race...

“Anyway it was uneventful. A couple of the umpire boats from the previous day's Boat Race passed through the lock on their way back to Henley. The lock keeper warned them that they would meet paddlers coming downstream and the lock keeper told me after he only had to change the river level by four and a half inches to let them through. I'm planning to go back to Penton Hook on a sunny day to explore as there is an island to walk round there too.

“After the last paddler had gone through I said goodbye and headed to Teddington to see the last few finish and I even gave the last boat his medal.”

Andy McBain is another volunteer who helped out on this year’s race. He was a checkpoint marshal at Dreadnought Reach.

““What are you doing on Easter Saturday Andy?” Was the question the late John Cooper asked me nearly 30 years ago. “Nothing I think”, was my reply and from that day on I always changed my reply to John to “Why?” That was my introduction to DW and the Dreadnought Reach/Reading Checkpoint.

“We knew this year was going to be interesting due to the height of the Thames and in the days before we had seen more rain. With the Junior teams due to finish at Dreadnought we also knew it would be busy as it’s a great location for supporters and families to see and cheer on crews.

“As per normal, I arrived around 8:30am to start the build to find a little surprise…..

“So the phrase “I think we need a cunning plan” was put into action.

“With a new layout deployed, new home for the official time keepers and plenty of space for supporters…let the paddlers arrive…..

“1:30pm arrived and silence descended. Stages crews through, trackers collected, armbands from supporters deposited, time for a sit down and look at the Seniors progress.

““Hang on that’s early”…best we get the team back sooner. It got to 5:30pm and the first boat came through. Now a steady flow of boats was expected and possibly an early close to the day. But then we realised one boat had only just left Devizes!

“The flow of boats went in fits and starts with most crews looking fine. A few reminders on glow sticks and lights were required though, which was fairly straightforward. “When is that last crew expected?”, “01:50”. “So much for the early night!”

“Then the pack down begins…cones get collected, bunting folded, litter picked and last crew finally came through….

“Roll on 2025… Lets just hope it’s a little drier!”

Do you want to get involved with volunteering for next year’s race? If so, contact Rachel Dennis, our volunteer lead.