Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race 2025: notice of event
Published 16 April 2025
© Crown copyright 2025
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When
Saturday 19 April to Sunday 20 April 2025.
Where
Blakes Lock to Teddington Lock
Details
At the stated dates, between Reading and Teddington, canoeists will participate in the 125-mile Devizes to Westminster canoe race. The race is an endurance event requiring many competitors to complete the course non-stop. The average duration is between 17 and 25 hours.
By the time the competitors reach the River Thames at Reading they will already have paddled 53 miles and portaged 56 times on the Kennet and Avon Canal. Canoeists may be suffering from fatigue and still have 72 miles to go to complete the race.
The effect of wash from powered boats can put the canoeists at greater risk of capsize. Rivers users should show due consideration when in the vicinity of canoes. Think ahead, slow down and check your wash.
Thank you for your co-operation.
Byelaws
Nothing contained in these directions shall supersede those parts of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 and the UK Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996 as may be relevant. Particular attention should be paid to byelaws 24-42 of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993, Steering Sailing and Speed.
And Notice is hereby given, that it is provided by Byelaw 52 of the Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993 that:
The master of any vessel shall except in an emergency not pass any boat-race regatta public procession or gathering for the launch of a vessel or any other event or function which may cause a crowd to assemble on or by the river nor station his vessel thereon in such a manner as would risk obstructing impeding or interfering with such boat-race regatta procession launching event or function or endangering the safety of persons assembling on the river or preventing or interfering with the maintenance of order thereon.
The maximum penalty for breach of the Byelaws is £1,000.
Read our Thames Navigation Licensing and General Byelaws 1993.