Tom Thorpe
Kayak Model: Pace Tour carbon
Years Paddling: 27 years, 17 years sea kayaking and 6 years surfski
Approx height and weight: 180cm / 72kgs
Location: Outer Hebrides / Dorset
The Pace Tour is a serious machine and performs extremely well. The Pace catches downwind runs and carries speed very well.
Going viral … Tom Thorpe in the Pace Tour in the Outer Hebrides catching a ride behind the ferry. For more from Tom see his Instagram
About Tom: Tom has worked and lived in Cornwall, Outer Hebrides and soon to be living in Fort William. Tom started his outdoor career in 2004, working in outdoor centres across the UK. He also coordinated outdoor departments in schools for over 15 years. He has recently spent two years managing an outdoor centre on Harris. Paddling for work is very different to personal paddling, luckily he still gets to paddle to amazing places with clients.
Hazel Marsh
Kayak model: Xceed XS
Years paddling: About 8 years
Approx height and weight: 5’5″ / 55kg
Usual style of paddling: Sporty and dynamic
Tell us something about a recent notable day out: It would be at the Falls of Lora at which my new Xceed XS has changed my experience of the Falls due to the lively response of the kayak which allows it to be easily positioned for the moving waters.
“The range of sizes in the Xceed has allowed me to be in a kayak that fits me the best, which allows me to gain the most out my kayak.”
About Hazel: After accomplishing her goal of being the youngest to pass the Advanced Sea Kayak Leader award on her 18th birthday, her new target is to work towards achieving her Advanced Sea Kayak coach whilst venturing into river kayaking to learn new skills and have more adventures.
Chris Wade
Kayak Model: Pace Tour carbon
Years Paddling:51 years
Approx height and weight: 187cm / 78kgs
Location: England
Usual style of paddling: Fast and light day and multi-day solo trips are what I enjoy, with a particular interest in the sense of journey that a circumnavigation gives. That said a background in river paddling means that playing on tide race waves and rock hopping always gives me a buzz!
The Pace Tour 17 suits my preferred style of paddling, its fast and light with plenty of easily accessible load capacity.
Tell us something about a recent notable paddle: A figure of eight round Arran and Bute was something I’d had in mind for a while and a weather window appeared. These two islands offer an easily accessible taste of west coast Scotland. Two big days and a couple of stunning campsites, with otters and dolphins to keep me company, made it a memorable trip.
What do you like about your kayak? The Pace Tour 17 suits my preferred style of paddling, its fast and light with plenty of easily accessible load capacity. The large main hatches are particularly useful when paddling solo as they give efficient loading and unloading when the launch or landing place is compromised and speed is of the essence.
