Once again organised by the Exeter Canoe Club in association with Yak Equipment, these results put to bed yet another successful Exe Descent.

The founding elders settled on a November date after studying the rainfall records. In the weeks leading up to race day we began to think that global warming was certainly having an effect. There seemed to be plenty of rain in the rest of the country, but very little actually fell in Devon or on Exmoor. Time after time the predicted rain passed by to the north. The river at the beginning of the race week was extremely low and all was doom and gloom, however those of us doing rain dances were successful and the rain fell on Thursday and Friday with enough water to increase the levels and ensure a good and fair level of competition.

As usual there were a number of capsizes and broken boats as the number of paddlers and the rocks around the start at Salmon Ponds at Tiverton caused a few spils. Even at other places along the course the volunteer rescue crews were generally kept busy assisting paddlers from the water.

Thanks are due to all the members of the other clubs who so unselfishly give up their time to stand for anything up to 4 hours in very cold water to provide this rescue cover.

Thanks are due to the West Country Private Ambulance Co who provide first aid and ambulance cover and to Tiverton Raynet who provide a communication link along the valley.

Thanks to AS Watersports for providing the secretarial help in dealing with entries and to Robin and Dave from Sports Data Services for their work in coverting a list of bib numbers and times into a respectable results sheet.

Thanks to all along the River who so willingly allow us to cross their property to get to the water and to those wives and mothers of club members who help with the distribution of refreshments to the competitors and to Haven Banks OEC for allowing us to use their premises. Special Thanks to Colin Harrison for all his efforts in setting up the refreshments kitchen in Haven Banks boat shed.

Thanks to all club members for their help and especially to Mick Crispin and Barry Arthurs for all their hard work and efforts and to Jane Evans and Janet Oatley for their support. Thanks also to the last boat squad who have the delicate task of following the race at a discreet distance to sweep up any stragglers.

For the record the total entry was 206 boats or 296 paddlers of which 174 boats and 247 people completed the course.

As a result we will be making a donation of well over £500 to Save The Children.

To paddle the Exe at any other time- please contact the Access Officer- Adam Box, Roydon, Alexandra Road, Crediton with a sae.