Glenn trying out the paddleboard.AN ENTERPRISING Shetlander has used a somewhat different material to make his own paddleboard – used plastic milk bottles.
Glenn Tonner, who lives near London, used 80 plastic bottles to make the stand-up paddleboard – the “milk float” – and he recently took it out for a successful test run.
It comes after Tonner – who spent more than 13 years in the merchant navy – made his own boat and sailed it 80 miles down the River Thames to raise money for charity.
He explained that the idea for the paddleboard came from rather humble beginnings – when he was putting his recycling out.
After some calculations based off his weight Tonner settled for 80 bottles.
“I got my wife a stand up paddle board for Christmas last year and she loves it, so I started saving up…the milk bottles,” he said.
“I had them strung from the rafters in the garage like smoked fish for ten months.
“This weekend I got to 80 and calculated with some serious maths that 80 2.2l bottles of air should support my sleek 93KG.
“I used some old shelves from a skip to give me the stiffness required and some slats of wood through the handles to keep the bottles in place.”
The resourceful Tonner said he was able to stand up on the board almost immediately after trying her out on a river, describing the board as “very stable”.
“It’s not the fastest craft on the water, but a great way to get out on the water, get some exercise and work off all that milk.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers – national and local – struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 540 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: –
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
