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:
Increase confidence of completing through sharing experiences:
Amount and nature of training required
The mental challenge
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
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