Three Men in Two Canoes

In 1967, three college friends set off on an epic 180-mile canoeing adventure: travelling down the River Wye, across the Severn Estuary at its highest tide, along the Gloucester Ship Canal, up the River Severn and finally via canal to their destination in the Midlands. They had virtually no canoeing experience, but persevered in leaking, canvas-covered, wooden-framed kayaks. They made history: not just for their stamina and safe crossing of the estuary, but because this was the first time the journey had been achieved. 'Three Men in Two Canoes' records their unique 12-day adventure and enduring 50-year friendship.

"Unique at its time and probably remains so. It makes grand reading!" Mervyn P. Fleming, Commander SARA, Beachley Lifeboat Station.

"P.E. students were required to undertake an adventure journey from which they returned full of strange tales."
- R.D.H. Seaman, Vice-Principal, St. Peter's College, Saltley, Birmingham, 1953-1976.

"Not only was this expedition a magnificent achievement it was also the most outstanding of all those it was my pleasure to supervise. As for Health & Safety and Risk Assessment? Just don't go there!"
- Steve Allatt, P.E. Tutor, St. Peter's College, Saltley, Birmingham, 1962-1972.

"For you to have known Captain Billy Groves was brilliant."
- James Hewitt, founding member of the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA), May 2017

"Your expedition was unique at its time and probably remains so. It makes grand reading!"
- Mervyn P Fleming, Commander SARA, Beachley Lifeboat Station, 2017