Paddle the Devizes to Westminster canoe race
A friend has invited you to do this with them.
The Devizes to Westminster race, known as DW, runs 125 miles from the Kennet and Avon Canal to the tidal Thames in London, with 77 portages where you climb out and carry the boat. Senior doubles do it non-stop through the night, while the singles, junior, veteran/junior, Endeavour and paddleboard classes take four days.
Demanding£100 to £500 / $130 to $650MonthsOutdoorsWith othersUK
What it's really like
DW starts in Devizes, Wiltshire, follows the Kennet and Avon Canal to Reading, then the Thames to Teddington and down the tideway to the finish. The organiser gives the course as 125 miles including 77 portages, and the race is held over the Easter weekend; the 2027 race is listed for 26 to 29 March.
Senior doubles race non-stop and must reach Teddington in time to paddle the tideway on the ebb tide, and the organiser says all senior doubles paddle part of the Thames at night. The stage races run Devizes to Newbury (34 miles), Newbury to Marlow (36), Marlow to Teddington (38) and Teddington to the finish at Barn Elms (13).
The organiser recommends at least six months of training on water like the course (canal, flowing river and estuary). Its advice for non-stop crews is to be stable in the boat by September, then paddle two to five times a week, building to several paddles of 30 miles or more. The Waterside and Thameside races on weekends before Easter cover the canal and the Thames as far as Marlow, and a DW Winter Warm-Up of 26 or 15 miles is listed for 6 December 2026.
Support crews follow their paddlers down the course to look after them at the bankside. DW strongly advises every competitor to have one; stage race crews are limited to two supporters per paddler and two cars per boat, and supporters must keep to a code of conduct.
The classes
| Class | Format | Who can enter (as the organiser states) | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Doubles | Non-stop, two paddlers | Seniors, 18 or over on 1 January of the race year | One continuous race, starting on Easter Saturday |
| Senior Singles | Stage race, one paddler (surfskis trialled within this class in 2026) | Seniors, 18 or over on 1 January of the race year | Four days, Good Friday to Easter Monday |
| Junior Doubles | Stage race, two paddlers | Juniors, over 15 and under 19 on 1 January of the race year, endorsed by a club coach or team leader | Four days |
| Veteran / Junior | Stage race | The FAQ defines a veteran as over 35 on 1 January of the race year and a junior as above | Four days |
| Endeavour | Stage race | Not defined on the current pages; an indicative maximum of 30 boats | Four days |
| Senior Stand Up Paddle Board | Stage race; a formal class from 2026 | Seniors, 18 or over on 1 January of the race year | Four days |
For Senior Doubles, Senior Singles, Veteran-Junior and Endeavour you confirm one of: finishing DW in the last three races, a current marathon ranking in divisions 1 to 5, or divisions 6 to 9 plus a marathon of over 20 miles; others, including international paddlers, can offer a qualified club coach's endorsement or GPS proof of more than 30 continuous miles on similar water within 8½ hours. Early Bird entries for 2027 closed on 25 October 2026. As last listed, Advanced entries (to 14 February 2027) run from £285 for senior singles and paddleboards to £455 for senior and junior doubles, and Last Minute entries (to 14 March 2027) from £320 to £495. Paddle UK or Canoe Wales membership includes the waterway licences you need.
How to start
- Find clubs near you with Go Paddling's club finder (powered by Paddle UK) and look for one that races marathon; DW's advice page suggests getting in touch with the nearest racing club for help with boats, technique and a training plan.
- Book the DW Training Day at Newbury Canoe Club (12 December 2026, £40 per K2 crew or £20 per K1 crew, as last listed), and get in touch with DW about its DW Buddy scheme.
- Allow at least six months of training, recruit a support crew early, and check the qualification statement you must make before you enter.
Where to go
- Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race: home and entries
- DW: race info, rules and 2027 entry fees
- DW: frequently asked questions (ages, qualification, licences)
- DW: advice for first-time paddlers
- DW Training Day at Newbury Canoe Club
- Go Paddling (Paddle UK): find local paddling clubs
We opened these links on 11 November 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
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Questions people ask
How long is the Devizes to Westminster canoe race?
The organiser gives it as 125 miles including 77 portages, from Devizes on the Kennet and Avon Canal to the finish on the tidal Thames.
Do you need experience to enter DW?
Yes. Seniors and veterans must confirm a previous finish, a marathon ranking, a coach's endorsement or GPS proof of more than 30 continuous miles within 8½ hours, and umpires assess every entry.
How much does it cost to enter the Devizes to Westminster?
For 2027, as last listed, Advanced entries (to 14 February 2027) run from £285 for senior singles and paddleboards to £455 for senior and junior doubles, rising to £320 to £495 for Last Minute entries (to 14 March 2027).
How long should I train for DW?
The organiser recommends at least six months, on canal, flowing river and estuary water, and advises senior doubles crews to train at night.
Where this comes from: Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race, 125 miles, 77 portages, 1 unique challenge; Devizes to Westminster, Race info; Devizes to Westminster, FAQ; Devizes to Westminster, Advice; Devizes to Westminster, DW 2027 — Express your Interest today!; Devizes to Westminster, DW Training Day; Devizes to Westminster, DW announces Winter event; Go Paddling (Paddle UK), Find local paddling clubs: UK wide. Opened 11 November 2026.
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