The 2025 ThruDark Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race is fast approaching this Easter weekend.
We caught up with Vicky Metcalfe, shortly after she completed her twelfth DW race last year. With over 30 years of paddling experience she shares what motivates her to return to the start line of the 125 mile long race each year. Plus how she got into paddling, her most memorable moments and advice for newcomers.
Tell us about yourself?
Farming in the Thames Valley kept me busy and it wasn’t until my early thirties that I came into paddling, so by the time I started racing I was already in the veteran class. I’m a 67 year old Yanni, with four children and eight grandchildren. I have been paddling and coaching at Pangbourne for more than thirty years. More recently I’ve been on the DW organising team. 2024 was my twelfth DW finish out of 14 starts.
How did you get into paddling?
I started paddling, when my children began learning the sport at our local club, now Pangbourne Paddlesport Club, based at The Dolphin Centre, Pangbourne, Berks and have been a member ever since. I got into racing after 10 years or so because I wanted to keep my daughter, who was eight and a half at the time, paddling through the winter.
I became a coach and was regularly paddling recreationally, touring, sea kayaking and various white water trips. My first Hasler at Henley had me hooked!
I heard about The Devizes to Westminster race after two ladies at Pangbourne competed in the Senior Doubles; knowing that they had finished made me want to give it a go for myself.
What draws you back to the start line in Devizes each year?
For me DW is more than just a race, it’s a significant part of my life. Without the DW, my year does not feel ‘set up’. It’s like an annual fix that helps me go through the winter and gives me something to focus on.
It’s obviously a challenge and people think I’m mad competing again and again. The first attempt in 2003 ended with retirement; six weeks later me and my partner, Ian, agreed to give it another go and 2004 was my first Finish, and all these years on I still think it’s an amazing thing to do.
There is also something so special about the DW family and the camaraderie that comes with taking part in the race. There are many folk who keep coming back year on year and I really enjoy supporting other paddlers.
It’s just great fun and I enjoy the fact that I’ve done it with different people in different classes. I am keen to support paddlers using the knowledge I’ve gained from taking part over many years, so that they can also achieve their goal of completing.
What are the different classes you’ve competed in?
I believe that I am one of a few women (Liz Murnaghan, now Taunton CC, being another) to complete the DW in K1, K2, C1 and C2. I’ve paddled in both ladies and mixed classes in Senior Doubles and the classes in the 4 Day Stage event. I’d like to continue doing the race and complete in the classes not yet done, (sadly Junior K2 not possible!!)
What advice would you give to someone wanting to give it a go?
I’d recommend finding yourself a club, coach or someone who has done DW before. Gaining first hand advice from someone who knows what they’re talking about when it comes to the race is really valuable; I still do this!
A key thing I would say is don’t put off the idea of doing the race, if you fancy doing it then go for it! And once you’ve decided to ‘go for it’ start training early. Paddling in groups is always advisable, so that you can support each other. Easter may seem a long way off but try to get out there during the summer months, get to feel comfortable in your boat and then you can start the nitty gritty of the night time paddling in the autumn.
You want to make sure that you are comfortable paddling on all types of water, but particularly the course.
You’ll have heard this before I’m sure, but go and paddle part of the course in the daytime and then, return to that same bit within a week or two and do a night-paddle. I’ve found it works really well in helping to learn the course, as getting used to paddling in the dark is so important.
If you’re new to the race and aren’t familiar with the Thames you should consider the Endeavour class. It’s non competitive, you do the distance over four days in daylight; a good way to gain an understanding of the course. Note that in 2025 all the 4 day stage classes are finishing at Barn Elms, just above Putney Bridge on the tideway.
What was your most memorable DW moment?
My most memorable moment was finishing the race in under 24 hours with C2 partner Liz Murnaghan, setting a new Ladies C2 record in 2023.
Watching Liz’s body language change as we approached Westminster Bridge at the end of our DW race in 2023. When you sit behind someone for a long time you notice alterations in their body language, and I saw she slumped slightly. I asked ‘what’s the matter?’ ,and she replied ‘look at the time’ and as we paddled up to Big Ben the time showed 9:15. We had started in Devizes at 9:15 the previous day and we realised we weren’t going to finish in under 24 hours. We were literally a few hundred meters from the finish line so we just kept paddling!
It was the greatest feeling to check our watches once we had crossed the finish line. We’d done it! – all the hard work and planning that went into that DW had paid off.
Then of course the walk up the steps at County Hall is iconic. There’s no other feeling like it! The support from family and friends waiting at Westminster was also what made that moment even more special.
Who are your supporters?
My husband is my mega chief supporter. He doesn’t paddle himself, but particularly with regards to DW, he is my biggest supporter and continues to be a part of my DW support crew both during the race and throughout the rest of the year. Our family also gets involved and my grandchildren have regularly taken medals into school for ‘show and tell’ which is lovely. (Admiration from the very young should never be overrated!)
Support crews are very special and I’ve had some amazing people support me over the years, for which I am very grateful, I really couldn’t have done what I’ve done without them.
I only wish that there were more ladies in the sport, those that are in it become great friends and we support each other, but it seems that the world of paddling is still a somewhat male dominated sport, maybe this will change in the future.
We’d like to thank Vicky for her time and wish all those taking part in the 2025 ThruDark Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race, good luck.
A big thank you to all the volunteers and support crews that will be helping to make the race happen over the Easter weekend.
Want to find out more about the DW race? Head over to their website here for more information. The DW team will also be sharing updates over the weekend on their Facebook and Instagram and the LIVE hub will be available on their website.
Paddle Daily, an independent paddling blog, has also been following all the DW action in the lead up to the infamous race. Head over to the Paddle Daily website and social media to check out their content.