DW on Twitter

28 Mar 2013 9:02 am

There's an unofficial DW Twitter account run by the chief umpire. It's @dwcanoerace - and the hash tag for the race this year is #DWcanoerace. Don't forget the only official voice of the race is this website. www.dwrace.org.uk.

Junior Camping

27 Mar 2013 11:13 pm

As advised by Owen Peake - Junior Campsite Manager:Please ensure that you have checked the weather forecast for Easter weekend - temperatures not currently looking good.Your crews who are camping MUST ensure that they are properly equipped with tents and sleeping bags that are appropriate for the conditions that are forecast.Pop up, single skin tents are not suitable for sub zero camping, nor are thin sleeping bags designed for festival goers in the height of summer.The campsite crew will not allow poorly equipped crews to stay on the campsite, and they are likely to be disqualified from the race for their own safety if they are deemed to be unfit to paddle.Please also ensure that your crews do not hang about at all after getting off the water - they should be sent straight to the showers and change into warm clothing, and not hang about chatting to parents and support crews unnecessarily.

Additional Notice to Competitors

27 Mar 2013 7:09 pm

All Senior Single, Vet-Junior, Endeavour and Senior Doubles entrants are required to bring their completed Assessment Matrix to registration.

Notice to Competitors

27 Mar 2013 9:00 am

As announced, directors of the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race have met. In conjunction with advice from the Environment Agency, the directors have decided to run the DW race in 2013 in its normal format.
However, due to the challenging nature of the conditions expected during the event, the organisers have implemented a self-assessment competence matrix for crews.
All crews must assess themselves according to this matrix, which rates their ability to undertake the DW challenge in the current arduous conditions.
Full details are contained in this document.
Please note, the organisers reserve the right to stop any crew at any time.

Easter Saturday Afternoon Departures

26 Mar 2013 9:05 pm

Last call - if you're starting after midday on Easter Saturday, please be sure to email dwchiefumpire@hotmail.co.uk with details in good time. This information is not shared with anyone else. If you don't tell us, we may not be there to start you. And do allow 45-60 minutes to check in at Devizes before your start. You must have an acknowledgement email back to be sure we know your start time intentions.

Interviews with a different team every day this week on BBC Wiltshire at 8:20. Listen online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcwiltshire.

River Conditions

24 Mar 2013 1:08 pm

We are aware there is great interest in conditions on the river after steady rain from the beginning of the year.
We have been observing the conditions in recent months. We will continue to actively review the conditions and any possible impact on DW2013.
At present, and unless otherwise announced on this website, it is expected that the race will be proceeding as normal. However, confirmation will be made in due course and should there be any changes they will be reported here as soon as they are known.
At present we are planning to provide an update on Tuesday evening.
Thanks and best wishes for final preparations.

Entry lists now online

20 Mar 2013 8:22 pm

Entry lists are now online here.

Kit Checking at Devizes

18 Mar 2013 9:45 pm

Please note, compulsory kit will be ticked off at check-in. Please make sure it is packed in a way that can be checked.If you put it in bags, clink film, vacuum pack it in anyway, it will be opened.

Online Entries Working

16 Mar 2013 7:47 pm

Online entry system is now back up and working.
Please enter as normal.

Online Entries

16 Mar 2013 4:03 pm

We are aware there are problems with accessing online entries.
We are doing all we can to remedy the situation.
Please try again at some point later in the day.

Cafe on Honeystreet Wharf

13 Mar 2013 1:50 am

Looking for somewhere to stop on the Pound without blocking other crews? Try the Honeystreet Wharf Cafe.There's parking on site, a cleared space for crews to stop if they're looking for a feed (please don't stop under the bridge) and there's hot drinks and snacks in the cafe.Thanks to the team at Honeystreet Wharf for supporting DW and crews as they set off from Devizes.

Friday Check-In for Senior Doubles

11 Mar 2013 4:42 pm

To assist Senior Doubles crews looking to leave promptly at 7am, we will be providing bookable check-in slots between 16:00 and 18:00 on Friday at Devizes Wharf. To book a slot please email dwchiefumpire@hotmail.co.uk.
Slots will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

The deadline for entries to DW2013 is fast approaching. Your online entry and payment must be received by midnight on Sunday 17 March.

However, as there is no post on Sundays this means in effect, the deadline for sending your payment is Friday 15 March if you are sending it in the post.

Alternatively, you can hand in payment in person at Waterside D to the Entry Secretary on Sunday 17 March. All payments must be with the Entries Secretary before he leaves Waterside D (he is normally the last to leave).

Ideally we would like to receive all entries online by Friday 15 March. While online entry will be kept open until midnight on Sunday for the few making last minute decisions, you are strongly advised to make your online entry well before that time. There is no paper entry and no late entries are permitted. Please make sure anyone you know entering the race is aware of this.

The procedure for DW entries being paid for at Waterside D is as follows:

1. Fill in your online entry and submit it, ideally, by Friday 15th March. But by Sunday 17th March at the latest.

2. Note the email address you used for both paddlers.

3. Write a cheque for the appropriate amount made payable to "Devizes to Westminster Organisation Limited" and write the e-mail address of both paddlers on the back of the cheque.

4. Hand in the cheque to the Entries Secretaries Desk (in the Waterside Centre at the finish).

Cash can be taken in payment of the fees but cheques are preferred. Card transactions are not possible.

To repeat for clarity, if you plan to decide on the day of Waterside D whether you are going to do DW or not, submit an electronic entry in good time earlier in the week. You are not committed to doing the race but all the entry details are there and you either hand in a cheque and get an entry, or you don't hand in a cheque and the electronic entry will not be used.

Note. Waterside Series Organisers are not involved with the DW entries so please direct entries to DW Oganisers not to the Waterside Series team. Thanks.

River Conditions

4 Mar 2013 11:11 pm

Stream flows are decreasing on much of the Thames. Keep up on conditions on the river at the Environment Agency River Thames Conditions.

Ben St Joseph

4 Feb 2013 11:41 pm

We are very saddened to hear that Ben St Joseph died while climbing on Ben Nevis's Tower Ridge on 26 January 2013. Ben was a popular, hard working, and dedicated medical student at Bristol University. He was also a member of the University Officers Training Corps. He won both the Reserve Forces (2011) and University (2012) Cups for the Devizes to Westminster race and hoped to win both again this year.The DW family would like to send our thoughts and sympathies to Ben's family, friends and colleagues.

Paddling Etiquette

27 Jan 2013 12:19 pm

Waterside Series start next week (26 Jan). They are an important and traditional build-up race series for DW competitors. It is very important for paddlers and support crews to honour etiquette rules along the course. More details from Waterside Series organisers on DW Facebook Group and the Waterside Series.DW and Waterside work together to reduce impact of our events on residents who live along the course year round.Please do your part.

Trophies Please

17 Jan 2013 9:31 pm

A reminder that DW Trophies should be returned before this years race. Marsport are again prepared to accept trophies at the shop or at the Waterside races. Please address any queries to DWtrophies@gmail.com.

Entries for DW2013 are now open. Online Entries.

Entries Open 1 Jan

17 Dec 2012 11:05 pm

Entries to DW2013 will open on 1 January.While you're waiting and keen, check over your training plan, support crew preparation, accommodation in Devizes and every other element of detail that you can think of.

Four Months Countdown

29 Nov 2012 11:53 pm

It's four months to the day until the first crews set off from Devizes Wharf on the four day race. So where are you up to on your training schedule? Take a look at our Facebook Group page for tips from the experts.

Noticeboard

20 Nov 2012 12:05 am

Looking to buy some kit or catch up with the DW community. Take a look at the DW Facebook Group or leave a message on our Noticeboard.

And finally...

16 Nov 2012 11:56 am

We have pictures from the DW 2012 Awards Ceremony. Take a look in the Gallery.

Easter Times and BST

23 Oct 2012 12:31 pm

In 2013, Easter Weekend marks the start of British Summer Time. Please note the entire race will be run on GMT (i.e. the time it is on Good Friday and Easter Saturday).

Thames Winter Lock Closures

11 Oct 2012 1:00 pm

If you're heading out along the River Thames to train, take a look at the Environment Agency's planned River Thames Lock Closures for 2012/2013 and the impact it may have on your planned route.

DW AGM

1 Sep 2012 10:38 pm

DW AGM will be at 2:30 on Saturday 15th September at the Wokingham Waterside Centre. Please do attend if you can and show your support for DW.