Teams hope to complete their 125 mile paddle in less than 30 hours

TWO teams form the Axe Vale Canoe Club are taking on one of the sport’s toughest challenges.

They are in training to compete in the 125 mile Devizes to Westminster race.

Considered to be one of the ultimate tests of endurance, it will push local paddlers Nick George, Tim Hodgson, Tash Khan-Davis and Ben Sheddon to their limits.

The teams will paddle non-stop, aiming to cover the distance in less than 30 hours and will have to also carry their boats around 77 locks and weirs.

They will be raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance and their own club.

Their training started in November and involves practice runs of up to 20 miles at a time. Nearer the race date the teams will paddle the section of canal and river which they will have to encounter in the dark on the actual marathon.

Each boat will have two support crews who will follow and meet their assigned team about every three miles and supply them with food, water and important information about the weirs ahead.

Axe Vale Canoe Club has a growing membership of paddlers of all ages ranging from 11 to 70. For more details visit: www.axevalecc.co.uk