A DYNAMIC kayaking duo have paddled 108 miles and raised nearly £900 for charity in the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race.

Natalie Day, 16, a St Laurence School pupil in Bradford on Avon and Sarah Osborn, 16, a pupil at Dauntseys’ School, West Lavington, finished fifth in the girls category for the famous race. 

The event was cut short on Easter Sunday at Teddington due to 100 mile gusts from Storm Katie, but it didn’t detract from the girls’ achievement.

“We had an amazing time, it was a brilliant experience and we are very happy with how it all turned out,” said Natalie.

She and Sarah had to camp out each night and cook their own food after each day’s hard paddling.

“We would have liked to finish in Westminster but it did not take anything away from a great few days. 

“Having to paddle through hail and thunder storms just makes you feel more hard core.

“It was just a brilliant experience. Going along the Thames, meeting people from all around the world – it was just great time.

“Even when we had to set up our tents on campsites in the cold, whilst our parents were chatting away in the warm at a Pizza Express, it was still great.”

The girls, who both train at the Devizes Canoe Club, came fifth out of 27 competitors, many of whom had trained and competed for far onger than the Wiltshire pairing.

“To think that some people we raced against have trained for years, whereas we only started a few months ago, it is a pretty good result,” she said. 

“To do more than 100 miles after months ago not being keen on paddling four miles is quite an improvement.”

The pair only got together last July, after Sarah decided to take up canoe racing.

Natalie, who also competes at regional and national competitions for Wiltshire Youth Canoe Club, was delighted to raise as much as they did for the charity Shelter and the Devizes Canoe Club.

“We really were not expecting to raise that much, the support has been amazing from people – it makes the whole event that much more worthwhile and special,” said Natalie.