Race to the Midnight Sun 2010 - Fundraising article
Last Updated: Monday, Nov 8, 2010, 13:11
What an adventure!
It all seems so long ago! Having prepared for the race as far back as November last year we have finally finished the longest canoe race in the world, finishing a respectable 7th in our class out of a field of 82 boats.
Dubbed the Race to the Midnight Sun as paddlers canoe round-the-clock at a time when the sky never gets dark, some canoeists were forced to drop out because of unusually bad weather and rough waters with rescue by sea plane the only option in some parts.The intrepid pair were at times 200 miles from the nearest road and had to carry all of their supplies and equipment with them to last for 30 hours should they hit trouble.
The event started out at White Horse in the North West Territory and ended in Dawson City, close to the Alaskan border and the Arctic Circle.
The glacial melt water was only 5°C, making survival times low should any of the competitors capsize. Wild animals also posed a threat. Father-of-three Mr Ovenden said: "It was a bit different to paddling down the Wye but it was a great challenge.
"We only had a stop of six hours and three hours so lack of sleep was a problem as we only had time to eat, warm up and change our clothes before we were off again.
"We were warned about the danger of bears but we didn't see one during the race, although one canoeist had to dodge a bear who was swimming across the river.
"One stage of the river was 50km wide so the water was quite rough and difficult to navigate across but we did have a GPS system to help.
"But the scenery at times was breathtaking and we did see beavers, otters and golden eagles which was a real privilege."
We think we have raised more than £3,000, half of which will be donated to Talking2minds, a charity offering coaching and therapeutic treatment for those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
The other half will go towards own own charitable enterprise, Yeovil-based Adventure Education Community Interest Company, which offers adventure therapy programmes to 15 to 21-year-olds with behavioural issues and low incomes.
The money will contribute to a year-long project with a group of young people living in the Yeovil area.