The Kit

The Paddleboards being used on the Board of Europe Tours are hand built precision wave tools, crafted by Alan Neighbour in Morthoe, Woolacombe.

Two types will be used; Individual (single man) 10’6’’ surf lifesaving racing boards which fit standard International Life Saving (ILS) regulations, and also the UK’s first ever custom built 22’ double paddleboard that is being designed and built exclusively for the tours.

The boards are all built by the same method; hand shaping of polystyrene blanks to form the shape of the board, before glassing in several layers of epoxy fibreglass to provide the outer skin. Using this method, Alan is able to build single boards to as little at 7kg all in. The double paddleboard, due to it’s length and the stresses involved, will have a built in carbon fibre ‘stringer’ that runs inside the board from the nose to the tail. This increases the stiffness a massive amount, and will allow Rob & Fletch to paddle the board in rough water and surf conditions without the danger of the board flexing and de-laminating.

The Double Board 'Summer Haze'

The tour has had built a unique double length paddleboard that was designed by Rob, James and Alan Neighbour. It is believed that this board is the only one of its kind to be found anywhere in Europe. Named after Alan's family home in Morthoe, the board is custom built and has proved to be very satisfactory in water trials. It is fitted with GPS, water speed sensors (donated by Oarsport Ltd) and heart rate monitor recording equipment.

Length: 22'6'' (approximately 6.9 metres) Weight: 22kg

The Crew

Rob Inett “Big Rob”

Rob Inett currently works as a Sports Development Officer. Following professional training in Industrial Design & Technology, Rob worked for a spell in the medical electronics industry before starting his current employment.

In 2002 Rob rowed in the Wales National Rowing Team, Rhwyfo Cymru, in the men’s heavyweight single sculls at Ghent International Regatta, the Home International Regatta and the Commonwealth Rowing Championships. Rob holds 3 National Rowing Championships medals and a multitude of junior, senior and elite sculling and rowing wins and Indoor titles.

Rob taught himself the art of board paddling from 2002 through to the present day, and in 2004 authored the Worlds first photo-led Lifesaving Sport manual that has won worldwide acclaim in the lifesaving community. Rob has also enjoyed success in Lifesaving Sport, being a member of the British Record Holding 4x50m Rescue Medley Relay team and an ‘A’ finalist at the 2005 European Lifesaving Championships.

Age: 25
Height: 6’4’’
Weight: 88kg

James Fletcher “Fletch”

James Fletcher is currently studying for a Masters Degree in Environmental Informatics at the University of Leicester. After finishing a bachelor degree in Politics, James pursued several years’ employment in the security systems industry before returning to full time study to complete his professional training.

In 2003 James represented Great Britain at the World Triathlon Championships in Madeira, completing a long standing ambition and confirming his natural talent in endurance sports. Formerly a highly successful junior oarsman, James completed the transition from rowing to triathlon during his time at Oxford Brookes University and in 2004 took up the sport of Lifesaving to compliment his training.

Following from this initial sporting interest, James has developed his Lifesaving skills to a point where he now carries out regular voluntary rescue work for open water events with South Worcestershire Lifesaving Club.

Age: 25
Height: 6'
Weight: 72kg