ATWORTH Youth Club Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Silver Award group has completed their silver DofE paddle expedition on the river Wye.
Dawn Rossi explained, “Less than 1% of DofE expeditions are anything other than walking expeditions! “There were six people in the group; Stacey Jackson, Jack Milton, Elena Rossi, Rory Walsh, Imogen Reynolds and Fabian Langley-Chappell. The group is mostly 16-year-olds and includes 18-year-old Stacey.
“They have been training with Martin Croucher and Wiltshire Youth Canoe Club on the river Avon in Melksham. After starting training in March 2012, the teenagers have been working towards their 2 star level in canoeing. The DofE in Wiltshire insist that groups can only complete a paddle expedition in canoes if they can paddle at 2 star level. Martin Croucher became their expedition supervisor for the expedition and gave up many hours of his time to help the group train and then supervised both their practice and assessed expedition. Their assessed expedition was along the river Wye from Hereford to Symonds Yat on 30th August to 2nd September. They camped for two nights at Hoarwithy and Ross-on Wye and paddled for three days and a total of nearly 60km. As with all expeditions, they needed to carry everything they needed in their canoes.
“Their assessor was Alex Davies who also works at the DofE head office in Windsor. Alex assessed the group when they completed their walking expedition at bronze level and inspired the group to do a paddle expedition.”
