Pentonhook to Hollywood.
I’m not to sure how we became involved in this but anyway, last week channel 5 approached us to be part of a new TV series “Britons Bravest” The particular episode in question involved 2 males in there 20’s to 30’s being swept over a weir, when the little boat they were in conked out!
Obviously the boat goes over and a rescue ensues. And it was this rescues that the whole “Britons Bravest” is about. Anyway I and Graham were cast as the two going over the weir and Mike was our safety consultant. After a long day of paddling our beloved little rubber dingy through the weir (really good fun) and a lot of swimming, it was a wrap. The series is due to start around the 26th of March so keep an eye out for some very special acting!
(Always the professional, Graham getting suited up) The rowing in particular is very impressive. On a serious note the Environment Agency are very keen to high light the dangers of weir’s there are some that are safe to paddle, but there are also some that are not! In the last 10 year 8 people have died at Pentonhook, if it looks dodge probably best to steer clear.
(safety afloat, Mike ready for action)
First look……M Long
It was a 4 o’clock start yesterday, for a 9 o’clock collection at Pyranha in Runcorn. While I was there the very nice Mr Hopkins loaded the first production M Long Rev into the back of the Van and told me to go forth and paddle!
So what’s different?
Well this is different concept, Pyranha have tried to make a boat that’s not to big / Volume, but large, light paddlers (i.e. long legged) can paddle a boat that is comfortable and yet still has a high level of performance.
The Rev M Long is slightly longer but only by a couple of inches, and this extra length is mainly to be found around the cock pit area, this has been lengthened, the volume has increased around the knee area, allowing a wider knee position. Witch provides better edge control. The stern has mainly been left alone, as have the rails, but the bow has been given a major re-shape and is much wider and deeper than the standard Medium model. I’m around the 14 stone or 90 kgs at present. And 6ft, with the seat right forward I still had a huge amount of room, if you’re a tall guy with big feet but a small stomach this could be the answer to all your prayers. However I do think for a big heavy guy Pyranha might have to make a full on Large Rev.
As for how the boat paddles, I only really had a quick dip last night down a Sunbury and it wasn’t at it best! But the boat feels nice and balanced; the extra length means the boat is bits smother cartwheeling. And has a bit more PoP for loops. On a wave it seams to be very similar to the M, give us some more time for a more in-depth wave test!
The Demo is at the shop! Come in and paddle…..
Sunday fun…..
An early afternoon paddle with your friends! To me that’s what paddling is all about, be it river running, flat paddle bit of slalom so long as you have a good bunch of mates with you your always have a good paddle. This Sunday gone with the water levels at an opt omen squirt level the usual suspects arrived at Chertsey for a session in the sun.
(Jez looking to go deep!) New Saturday lad Seth had also mobilized his mates from the local Addelstone canoe club, and it was great to see so many boaters out on the water. Chertsey has always had a bit of a naff reputation with many paddlers, but for people wanting a “reasonably” safe place to learn you can’t be this place, easy access reliable water it’s probably the best place to learn on the Thames and we all love it.
(Rich has only had his squirt boat for a few months, but was sticking some big down time!) And for squirt boating it has to be one of the premier places on the river if not the UK, I never understand why they always do selection at Hurley? But anyway we had the Helmet hero back out on the water to, and with new batteries I can happily report it now works really well with excellent picture quality.
(Oh new paddles Sir, Oh suits you, Oh suits you Sir) 
(Mike, Jez & and a upside down RPM!)
(Mike, Left corner, going down! ) 
Seth and the Addlestone crew rocking out the fish ladder! after a week of ????? it was great to see the guys enjoying the river, My love for the sport has returned.
Outlook for the weekend…
It’s been a funny old week! I came back boarding after a fantastic week, great snow lovely place.
(3200ft and black all the way home!)However the river has dropped right off, for the first few days it was back to the Bahiya for some flat water fun, but then as if from know wear the river shot up over night! Shepperton was a great 7 Sunbury on an almost 5. In the shop we have had a few great new toys the
GoPro head cams in particular look great, Mike and I had a great session at Shep yesterday, the picture quality of these little cameras is great. This morning I’ve been busy down at penton-hook weir; watch this space for some TV action!!!! And now the sun has started to shine. The outlook for the weekend is good, very good.
There should be plenty of water for the white water set but lovely sunny warm weather for all the touring paddlers to! Come in and say hello, Touring season has begun.
