Congratulations to the five Silver canoeists for completing their Qualifying DofE expedition along the River Trent.
They spent three days travelling 60 kilometres starting at Horninglow Basin in Burton upon Trent, south-west of Derby, and finishing at Stoke Bardolph, east of Nottingham.
The canoeists had spent the previous 12 months during Monday activities and on Service Weekend expeditions teaching the Bronze Canoeists paddle strokes, learning new strokes for larger rivers and practising ‘porting’ canoes over extended distances.
In addition to water-focused training, the canoeists also developed their ‘bushcraft’ skills: how to cook well outdoors; how to put up and sleep under a tarp and of course how to plan a journey in order to travel safely by canoe.
During their expeditions they camped in torrential rain and experienced fast flowing rivers in their October training of 2019, and paddled through high winds in their practice of March this year, so with this preparation and the good conditions in September, their Assessor’s report was quick and easy work.
Duke of Edinburgh Canoeing Leader, Mr Henry Deane, said, ‘The pupils demonstrated exceptional levels of perseverance, teamwork and determination throughout the year to overcome the challenges presented to gain their Silver Award.”
