Year 10 Pupils Take to the Water for Duke of Edinburgh Silver Practice Expedition

Twenty-one adventurous Year 10 pupils from Finborough School recently completed their Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Silver Award Practice Expedition, navigating 35 kilometres of the River Great Ouse by canoe over two days.

The expedition began at Hartford Marina, with pupils paddling 20 km through the picturesque Cambridgeshire countryside, passing the historic town of St Ives.  Along the way, they tackled two locks and carried their canoes around two more in a challenging portage.  The first night was spent camping at Westview Marina in Earith, where pupils set up camp and reflected on their day’s achievements.

Day two saw the group continue their journey with a 15 km paddle from Earith to Stretham, negotiating one final lock.  All equipment, including tents and supplies, was packed into dry bags and barrels and loaded into the canoes, giving pupils their first experience of paddling with fully laden expedition gear. 

This practice expedition is a vital step in preparing for their Qualifying Expedition on the Norfolk Broads this coming September.  It not only helped pupils to refine their paddling techniques but also supported teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience; which are all essential pillars of the character education that Finborough School is renowned for.  

A huge congratulations to all our participants for their incredible determination, teamwork, and enthusiasm throughout the expedition – and a big thank you to the Friends of Finborough for their donation of new equipment that helped make it all possible!