Stand up paddle board the coast to coast - 'you bet' says Tony Bain

Competitors at this weekend's Coast to Coast could well be taking a second glance as they begin the 67 kilometre kayak stage.

That's because one entry has a novel way of making his way down the Waimakariri River

Since the first race in 1983, thousands of Coast to Coasters have kayaked down the Waimakariri river. 

Tony Bain has no plans to follow suit.

"For the last four-five years stand-up paddle boarding has been my thing," said Blain.

The 50 year old Kiwi is going to negotiate the river on an inflatable stand up paddleboard, and reckons anything the kayakers can do he can do too. 

"Whether we are standing up or kneeling down, we can do the same water."

Stand up paddle boarder Tony Blain
Stand up paddle boarder Tony Blain

The course is 67 kilometres all up - with a few rapids along the way, Blain says no problem.

"I'm reckoning it would take five to six hours to cover that."

In case things go awry he will be well protected with body armour for both his elbows and arms, as well as padded shorts but the danger is still there.

"I have an awesome helmet as there is a real risk of falling and banging my head on rocks.

"I'll be the coolest dude there - I'll look like Robocop!"

Bain lives in Wales, where he runs an outdoor adventure company, and it was there when he got  his name in the Guinness Book of Records,  for  paddling a bathtub. 

"It was 100 metres, start line round the buoy and back, as fast  as you can."

He did in around one minute and thirty seconds.

"It was a great laugh - great laugh that day."

However the 243 kilometre race over the Southern Alps will be a markedly different sort of challenge.

"My legs are going to be working for the whole Coast to Coast cycling running stand up paddling."

Expect the bath to be used more conventionally after the finish at New Brighton brach.

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