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The Worcester
Ring Challenge
We are excited to be celebrating the
release of our new challenge route!
The Worcester Ring Challenge has
existed as a yearly event, run by Worcester
Canoe Club, for the past few years. Now
you can also take it on, independently
and in your own time, as one of the
Go Canoeing Challenge Routes.
Starting from the canoe club in the heart of
Worcester, this circular route starts along the
River Severn. From the Severn you transfer to
the Worcester and Birmingham, until its junction
with the Droitwich Canals. These take you
through Droitwich Spa before arriving back at
the Severn for the final leg of the challenge.
Here’s where the real challenge com es in! Not only
will you be paddling 21 miles but you will be doing a
fair bit of portaging too. With one weir to portage, as
well as 32 locks and three tunnels, there are plenty
of obstacles, to get through or around, along the way.
This challenge is definitely one of our toughest
yet and you will need to train hard to gain the
endurance needed to get you through. Luckily it
is also a beautiful route. Travelling from historic
Worcester out into the rolling countryside
before reaching attractive Droitwich Spa.
There should be plenty of great views to take
your mind off your aching arms and legs.
Calling All Challengers
Perhaps you are one of the adventurous folk
who have already completed one or more of our
challenge routes? Or maybe you have been looking
for something big to train up for. This is perfect for
those thinking of a sponsored charity challenge or
just wanted to take their paddling to the next level.
If Not This Then… About The Area
Intrigued but not sure that this is the right challenge
for you? Take a look at our other four challenge
routes to find your perfect match.
Llyn Tegid,
Windermere and
Loch Awe make up
our
Three Lakes Challenge. You take on
them all in turn or just one of them. With Llyn
Tegid our shortest challenge route and Loch
Awe our longest, there is plenty of variety. Worcester is a charming city with its 12th century
cathedral a star attraction. Its ancient name
Weorgoran ceaster meant ‘fort of the people
of the winding river’ and the River Severn has
certainly been at the heart of its history.
If you are keen on a shorter circular route then
head over to Nottingham for the
Trent
Loop Challenge. At just over thirteen miles
in length it is still a tough cookie but doesn’t
pack quite the punch of the Worcester Ring.
Droitwich Spa was built upon deposits of salt and salt
extraction has been its main business for hundreds of
years. The Romans first canalised the River Salwarpe
in order to transport the salt from the area by boat.
Nowadays Droitwich Spa is an attractive town. Its
lido, once closed down, is now fully refurbished
and a popular spot for locals and visitors.
Find Out More Droitwich Canals
If you fancy being one of the first on the
leaderboard for the Worcester Ring Challenge
and want to find out more, head to our
Worcester Ring Challenge Page or
download the
information pack here. The Droitwich Barge Canal opened in 1771
and was constructed by famous canal builder
James Brindley to move salt from the area.
With the help of
Worcester Canoe Club we
have written the route up and put together all the
information you need to take on this
epic twenty-one mile adventure.
Did we mention all the
locks and tunnels?!
It was followed by the construction of the Droitwich
Barge Canal in 1854. The canals were vital to the
industry of the surrounding area but gradually fell
out of use and were officially abandoned in 1939.
At the time of going to press we have already had
one entry on the leaderboard! Allistair Swinsco
completed the ring on his stand up paddleboard
in an impressive time of 5 hours and 18 minutes.
A restoration project was
started in the late 1970’s
and the canals were
finally reopened in 2011.
You can find more on the
history of the Droitwich
Canals by clicking here.
With the leaderboard all set up and ready,
will you be one of the next people to take
on this fantastic new challenge?!