Veteran Avon Descent competitor is long in the kayak

The white water veteran said the average speed for top contenders was about four hours on the first day and up to five-and-a-half hours on the second.

‘For that period of time you’re physically not stopping ” you might stop long enough to grab another drink to throw in the boat or stick in your life jacket,’ he said.

‘To me, it doesn’t feel as long as it used to ” I think through familiarity of where you are the whole time.’

Despite contesting a younger field of world champions each year, Long is determined to make the top five in the single kayak event. ‘I won my first six (races)’