During the Easter holidays, two Lower Sixth students achieved a remarkable milestone by completing the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race – a 125-mile, four-day endurance challenge often referred to as the ‘canoeist’s Everest’. This year, the race concluded at Putney, marking a new chapter in its storied history. The duo of Alice (Lower Sixth, Swift) and Emma (Lower Sixth, Vanbrugh) became the first Cokethorpe crew to complete the full race since 2019, and only the third all-female pair in the School’s history to do so.
Their success was anything but accidental. With this race in their sights for over three years, the girls undertook two years of focused preparation, involving icy morning paddles, windswept training sessions at Farmoor Reservoir, lunchtime fitness work, and portage drills using rugby tackle bags to simulate carrying boats. Between races, they trained independently and completed three of the four Waterside Series events, building not only stamina but resilience and mutual trust.
Throughout the four-day event, the duo encountered numerous defining moments – from the surreal experience of paddling through Reading’s Oracle shopping centre to the mental milestone of passing the 100-mile mark. Some days demanded over eight hours of non-stop paddling, with the longest day covering an astonishing 36 miles (58 kilometres). Integral to their success was the dedicated support crew, whose role extended far beyond spectating. Responsible for planning, logistics, nourishment, and morale, they were an essential part of the event, ensuring the team could reach each stage’s finish with everything they needed to keep going.
The girls have not only completed one of the UK’s most demanding youth endurance races, but they have also set a benchmark for what is possible with commitment, teamwork, and the right support. With A Levels now on the horizon, their focus turns to academic challenges – but the legacy of their journey is far from over. As they recover and reflect, there is already talk of passing on their experience to train and mentor the next generation of Cokethorpe racing kayakers.
