Chris Allix, founder and director of Dominion Marine Corporate Services Limited based on the Isle of Man, completed the Devizes to Westminster 125 mile kayak race this Easter for the fourth time. He finished in a time of 27 hours 53 minutes, 2 hours quicker than last year. With one of the coldest Easters on record there were many retirements, especially amongst those paddling through the night, when the temperatures fell below freezing.
On Day 1 - 34 miles Devizes to Newbury - Chris started off with ice covering the canal for the first 12 miles. Despite the cold he managed to finish inside the 10 hour cut off.
Day 2 – 36 miles Newbury to Marlow – was still very cold and Chris’s skeg froze, leaving it jammed up. As the ice on the canal gradually melted, the skeg thawed and Chris was able to use it after about 2 miles. With many locks along this stretch it took Chris just over five hours to reach the Thames at Reading. He reached Marlow in 8 hours 50 minutes. An unfortunate incident just before Reading, caused Chris to capsize whilst going under a very low bridge. This left Chris cold and wet for the rest of the day.
Not to be deterred and still determined to break his record, Chris resumed with a new pair of gloves and renewed resolve on Day 3 -38 miles Marlow to Ham.
The weather on Day 3 was particularly bitter and Chris suffered again from a frozen skeg. Unfortunately the skeg eventually broke so Chris had to paddle the whole day without it. This meant keeping the kayak in a straight line was a struggle, especially with the head wind and side currents. Despite this Chris finished the day in 7 hours 8 minutes.
The final day required an early start to paddle the 17 miles from Ham to Westminster due to the tidal nature of the Thames. Chris left Ham at 5:45am to catch the high tide. The turbulence created by many participants leaving at the same time rocked the kayak. This time Chris was one of the few who managed to stay dry due to the sturdier nature of his sea kayak. Chris completed the race two and a half hours later, achieving a final time of 27 hours 53 minutes.
Chris told us about his relief and excitement at finishing the race, beating his 2012 time and raising money for the Search and Rescue 60th Anniversary fund:
“Reaching Westminster Bridge was emotional with the crowds cheering, although waiting in an increasing raft of kayaks all lining up to be helped out of the water was very chilly. With my back up team of my partner Catherine and my sister Claire waiting at the top of the steps it was great to finish! It was a personal challenge to beat my 2012 time but also a charity challenge, to raise money for Search and Rescue. These guys risk their lives saving seamen, yachtsmen and hikers --not to mention people in natural disasters such as flooding, and the recent snow problems in the Isle of Man- and this was an opportunity to support them.”
If anyone would like to donate to the Search and Rescue 60th Anniversary Fund please visit www.allix.im and follow the link to the charity’s (SAR60k) page on the Virgin Giving site. Chris would request donors mention the DW race to assist them with their records.
Photo - Chris Allix completes charity kayak race
