Sixth Form Student Wins World’s Longest Non-Stop Canoe Race

Sixth Form student Lochie Lovell recently undertook the world’s longest non-stop canoe race, the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon. Spanning 125 miles and navigating 77 locks, the race is a true test of physical and mental endurance. Competing in the Junior Doubles category with his paddling partner Fletcher Cramer of Southampton Kayak Club, Lochie not only completed this formidable challenge but won the race, finishing ahead of 38 other boats.

Reflecting on the experience, Lochie shared: “It was a great event and the atmosphere was brilliant. Of the 38 boats that started in our category, 36 finished—thankfully not due to injury or damage. The course was 201km, split over four days: Day 1 from Devizes to Newbury (56km), Day 2 from Newbury to Maidenhead (60km), Day 3 from Maidenhead to Teddington (65km), and the final day was a shorter stretch down the Tideway to Barn Elms. As juniors, we were not permitted to continue past Barnes due to safety concerns around the large clipper boats on that section of the Thames.

We had one major setback when our boat was dropped just before Newbury, shearing the rudder and puncturing the tail. This led to a 5km stretch paddling with significant water in the boat until we could make temporary repairs with tape during a portage. Overnight, we sealed the damage with epoxy—just in time for Day 2. Managing food and equipment presented logistical challenges, as competitors must be entirely self-sufficient once the day’s distance is completed, without any outside support. Each night, we had to prepare all meals and set up our own campsite.

Our strategy was to ‘front-load’ each day—pushing hard during the canal sections, which had no flow, to build a lead before reaching the moving water. This gave us a time advantage and allowed us to recover slightly while still maintaining speed. Our boat, an E Class Nelo Quattro, was particularly suited to the course and efficient to carry across portages. Clear communication and precise technique were essential to maintaining speed and conserving energy throughout the race.

I began paddling at a young age in Queensland, Australia, where both of my parents competed at high levels, and I have family in the UK who are also accomplished racers. Since moving to the UK, I’ve competed in higher-level sprint and marathon races, including events in the Netherlands and Belgium. Fletcher and I have known each other for years and often race together in sprint events—we’re both Division 2 marathon paddlers and enjoyed reconnecting with friends in the camping sections during this event.”

We offer our warmest congratulations to Lochie and Fletcher on this remarkable achievement!