Two students from Falmouth Marine School victoriously returned from one of the toughest endurance events in the world this week, each with another title under their belt.
Megan Middleton, 17 from Lostwithiel, and Michael Southey, 18 from St Austell, who are studying Watersports BTEC National Diploma level 3, competed in the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Marathon over the Easter weekend.
The 125 mile course places the highest demands on individuals, with junior teams completing the race in three days, starting in Devizes, Wiltshire and finishing downstream from Westminster Bridge.
Megan and Michael train with Fowey Canoe Club and already hold the 2010 junior mixed doubles title and current record time of 16 hours 28 minutes and 8 seconds.
This year Michael teamed up with Connor Peters, 16 from Penrice School, winning the junior doubles race with a time of 17 hours 22 minutes and 7 seconds. Megan raced with Dan Palmer, 15, from Fowey Community College and retained the title for the mixed junior doubles and was placed third in the junior doubles with a time of 18 hours 7 minutes and 26 seconds.
Michael said: "The race was very enjoyable but really hard work. I’m so pleased to have finally come first in the junior doubles race after 3 years of coming second.
The race has been held annually over the Easter Weekend since 1948. Russell Lawrance, Director of Sport & Public Services at Cornwall College, which Falmouth Marine School is part of said: “This is an outstanding performance in an event that is nationally recognised, the Devizes to Westminster is the ultimate canoe marathon event. I am delighted for Michael and Megan, their awesome results bear testimony not only to their paddling ability and skill but to their determination and strength of character required to achieve such high standards of performance in such an exacting event. I think it underlines the quality of watersports provision on offer to all at Cornwall College and especially at Falmouth Marine School. Well done everyone.”
Students and staff from both Cornwall College and Falmouth Marine School are again organising the fifth annual British College Watersports Championships in June at Stithians Lake and Tolcarne beach, Newquay. To find out more and get involved visit www.cornwall.ac.uk/sport.
