Joe and Patrick Waterside A ( 3rd place)

On the 31st of July 2011 at the Richmond hasler kayak race, a paddler from Tonbridge, Will Carus, tragically lost his life. He was 17 years old and a rising star in the sport. Will had a passion for kayaking. He excelled as a division 4 marathon paddler and in boys B sprint. His unexpected loss at such a young age has left a hole in the Tonbridge team that can never quite be filled. Will was a fantastic young man who made friends easily. He will be remembered by all those fortunate enough to know him for his kind attitude and infectious smile. I will be competing in a K2 with Dominic Collier and there will be another pairing of Joseph Caisley and Patrick Cooper. The race takes place over 4 days starting on good Friday at Devizes and finishing under Westminster Bridge on the Monday. Each day is a challenge in itself; the first being 34 miles with 35 portages and an excursion into a 200m tunnel. Each day lasts around 6 hours ,except for the last, and once we are off the water we have to set up our tents carried by our support crews and then sleep in them until the next day. ​We are supported by parents and others from the canoe club, who drive to certain parts of the course and meet us at a lock. Here they give us food, a change of drinks and keep an eye on us to make sure we are ok and can carry on until they see us next. We have also been competing in the Waterside Series which is a series of races leading up to the DW and both I and Dom (8th,7th,5th so far) and Joe and Patrick (3rd, 3rd, 2nd) have been performing well, with the final race to come this Sunday which is the same course as the first day of the DW. There are a few photos attached of us racing in the past few weeks. ​We would be extremely grateful if you would support Epilepsy Action by donating whatever you can. Thank you very much in advance.