The ThruDark Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race 2026 held over the Easter weekend once again proved why it is one of the toughest endurance challenges in the paddling world and Reading Canoe Club athletes rose to the occasion with grit, speed, and outstanding team spirit.
This year saw four RCC paddlers take on the 125‑mile course across two race classes, bringing home major silverware and delivering performances the whole club can be proud of.
🌟 Senior Singles – Exceptional Results Across the Board
🥇 Tilla Kubisch‑Wiles – Fastest Lady K1
Racing with trademark determination, Tilla Kubisch‑Wiles claimed the prestigious Black Swan Salver as the fastest lady K1, finishing in 20:18:01. A phenomenal achievement in a highly competitive field.
🔥 Aidan Teeuwen – 7th Overall
With a superb time of 17:15:48, Aidan Teeuwen secured 7th place overall in the Senior Singles category — a powerful, consistent performance over the full course.
💪 Damon White – Strong, Determined Finish
Damon White completed the Senior Singles in 24:29:41, showing resilience and commitment throughout the demanding overnight race.
🥇 Senior Singles Team Trophy – WINNERS
Together, Aidan, Tilla, and Damon delivered a combined time of 62:03:30, earning Reading Canoe Club the Senior Singles Team Trophy — a huge collective accomplishment.
🌟 Senior Doubles – Podium Finish for Alex Lane
🥈 Alex Lane – 2nd Place Senior Doubles
Racing with partner Magnus Gregory (Southampton CC), Alex Lane secured an impressive 2nd place in Senior Doubles with a time of 17:08:41.
This result also earned the pair:
- The Jim Cornwell Shield – 2nd Fastest Senior Crew
- The CPO W.R. Templeton RN Memorial Trophy – Fastest Mixed Crew
A brilliant performance and a major highlight for RCC in the doubles field.
🎉 A Huge Congratulations to All Our Paddlers
From podium finishes to hard‑earned completions, every RCC athlete demonstrated the resilience, skill, and spirit that define our club. The DW is never easy and this year’s results show just how strong our paddling community is.
You can find the full results on the DW website here: Microsoft Word – DW2026_Trophy_List