ThruDark DW Training Days

In partnership with Newbury Canoe Club

Course dates:22nd November and 13th December 2025

Aim

The aim of the day is to give first time ThruDark DW entrants the best chance of completing the course and collecting a coveted DW medal.

Content and objectives

The content will include:

  • Portages - techniques (shoulders, cockpits, carry handles), where to get out and in, options at lock flights

  • Fuelling and hydration - what, where, how

  • Clothing and kit, including boat and paddles

  • Training schedules, course familiarisation, Watersides and Thamesides, night paddling

  • Support crews - roles, purpose, training, do's and don't's

  • On the water training for key aspects

The objectives will be to:

  1. Increase confidence of completing through sharing experiences:

    • Amount and nature of training required

    • The mental challenge

  2. Teach and/or revise skills to manage challenging water:

    • Support strokes - low brace

    • Moving the boat sideways (draw stroking)

    • Negotiating a side stream

    • Turning the boat

    • Managing large waves

  3. Explain and describe routes and methods to approach particularly challenging parts of the course including:

    • Newbury bridges, Bulls lock, Woolhampton; County lock

    • Joining the Thames

    • Leaving Sonning, Marsh, approaching Marlow, leaving Hambledon, route to Cookham, Boulters, leaving Bray, Eton bridge, Chertsey

    • Tideway

Location and trainers

Newbury Canoe Club (NCC), The Wharf, Newbury, RG14 5DF. The course will be run by Kieron Blackburn (ThruDark DW and Waterside Committee member, 1000 mile club, coach at Newbury and previously Chelmsford CCs) assisted by DW and NCC coaches.

Equipment

Trainees will be strongly encouraged to bring the boat they plan to race in. Due to construction work NCC will not have any boats available. Those travelling some distance can contact the organisers and we may be able to source a boat elsewhere. Trainees should bring paddling kit, a change of clothes and a packed lunch. There are changing rooms and showers. 

Any juniors should advise the organisers so appropriate changing facilities can be arranged.

 Timings and cost

The course will run from 10am to 4pm. A charge of £20 per person will be levied which will include tea, coffee and biscuits and use of NCC facilities. Payment should be made in advance to Newbury CC 309589 45987168. Please advise the organiser (kieronfblackburn@gmail.com) when the payment is made.

Numbers will be capped at 16.

I ran a similar course last year and all the crews who attended finished. This is not a guarantee!

Kieron Blackburn

ThruDark Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race
Senior Doubles Safety Lead

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