Devon Cricket Board - Kayakers step up training ahead of Lyme Bay charity paddle

Kayakers step up training ahead of Lyme Bay charity paddle

JOEL Seward and Helen Derry have stepped-up training ahead of their charity paddle across Lyme Bay.

Joel and partner Helen, who live in Colyford, are friends of cricketer and footballer Ryan Walker, who died in 2014 after suffering a massive asthma attack.

Ryan, who was 24, played cricket with Joel at Axminster CC before switching allegiance to Seaton.

The couple are aiming to raise around £2,000 for the charity Asthma UK by paddling a two-person kayak from Seaton to Weymouth over the Easter Weekend.

It is nearly 40 miles as the seagull flies and with the departure date looming it is time to get some extra practice in.

“Training wise we both are doing five kilometres of indoor rowing four or five times a week,” said Joel.

“We are hoping to get out on the kayaks this weekend as indoor rowing isn't exactly ideal for what we setting out to do.”

If weather conditions are favourable, Joel and Helen hope to make the trip in a day.

If not they do have a contingency plan.

“We have worked if, and it is a big if, the conditions are excellent it will take around eight hours,” said Joel, pictured on a training paddle.

“We would love to do it in a day, but if we not we have a contingency plan.

“Ours is to camp at a suitable spot if we find that the light or the tide is against us.

“We will have my dad, Alan Seward as support crew and Helen's work colleagues are providing us with a tent and supplies.”

To make a donation visit https://www.justgiving.com/kayakingchallenge/

DCB Ltd, University of Exeter Sports Hall, Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon EX4 4QN Company Registration Number: 7024773