Two university lecturers have smashed the Guinness World Record for the fastest canoe journey from where the Thames Starts in Lechade in Gloucestershire all the way to Teddington.
The record breaking time along the non – tidal Thames was set in 81 hours and 52 minutes.
The previous record of 120 hours was annihalted by Professor Mark Horne and Domonic Alessio.
Waking up at 4.45 each morning the Richmond University professors didn’t get back to the camp until 9pm and achieved their aim in making it back to Teddington on the 20th July 2018, even though, the lack of rain recently meant that there was no water flow for the descent causing the journey to be slower than expected.
There was no time for many breaks despite the exhausting experience. Mr Alessio said: “We paddled for 14 -15 hours each day so it was pretty much non–stop except for a 10 minute lunch
POWERING ON: Dominic and Mark enjoying a brief pause during record-breaking trip
The canoe journey was done in the aid of You Touch Africa whose aim is to advance the education of disadvantaged children and adults in Africa.
The outstanding achievement raised £780 to help other students achieve their ambitions.
If you would like to donate to this amazing accomplishment, the Justgiving page is: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/markhorne-domalessio
Featured image courtesy of Xavi Villalvilla via Flickr
