PT Troop in Western Daily Press

PT Troop founder Tom Rendall is now a video star on The Western Daily Press website.

Click here to go direct to the site..

Devizes to Westminster 1

It began, as these things always do, in a pub or restaurant. I can't remember which, and it doesn't really matter. The important thing is that we both had a drink in front of us, and neither were our first that evening.

Tom Rendell and I were talking about doing a slightly different endurance challenge in 2009. I'd got my excuse of aging, wobbly knees in early. So events such as the 'Ex to Ax', or the 'Dartmoor Discovery' which Tom and I had previously done were safely out of the frame.

Which is when Tom suggested the Devizes to Westminster canoe race. If he could find a double kayak would I be interested?

What did it involve I asked?

Well, you start at Devizes, paddle 125 miles, do 77 lock porterages, and it takes about 30 - 35 hours non-stop.

Now at this point I thought yes, why not? I'd be sat down after all. How hard could it be? Plus - Tom would have to find a double kayak from somewhere.

Which of course, he already had. Curses.

So training began in July of 2008, and in the summer months it was very enjoyable. Pleasant even. Sunday mornings; out from the floating harbour in Bristol and up the river toward Bath.

It's now the bleakest of midwinters. Training is no longer enjoyable. No way is it pleasant. New Year's Day we set off at 07.00hrs, headlights on, wrapped up in every piece of thermal clothing we had. 11 hours later we paddled back in the dark and hammered on the door of the Adam and Ever pub to open up, having gone to Bath and back. Which is 36 and a bit miles.


Sunday saw us inadvertently take part in the Avon Gorge Head of the River race. We paddled out at 09.00 only to see lots of power boats heading for the lock in Cumberland Basin. So we nipped in with them and took the opportunity to do something that we'd both always wanted to do - paddle down the Avon, under the Suspension Bridge and out toward the sea.

When we got to Avonmouth bridge, we found it a hive of rowing activity. Eights, sculls, fours, fixed seat boats all waiting for the start of the Head of the River. So we turned around and paddled back in. It might look lovely in the photos but it was savagely cold. You can just about see us under the bridge, holding off a novice eight for as long as we could - well there are only two of us!





Anyway, the race is now but three months away. We need to enter. Sort out a support crew. Get lots of paddling kit. Work on our technique and get our pace up from 3.5mph to 4.1mph if we're to hit our target time for reaching high tide at Teddington Lock. So not much to do....better get back in the boat. More on our progress as the race approaches.

Sam and Dings take on Leeds Carnegie

Sam Caven plays tomorrow in one of Dings Crusaders biggest ever matches. The proud local club have the chance of a major Giant Slaying tomorrow at Lockleaze. Leeds are fielding a side teeming with former internationals - capped players for England, Wales and the USA will line up against Sam tomorrow afternoon.
Unintimidated, Sam has prepared hard. The National League Three side are doing well in there own division, and have an excellent home record.
As Tom Jordan will tell Sam, anything can happen in cups. The burnt out shed on Dings ground, as well as a couple of hundred Brislers could easily unnerve the Northerners.... (if you are going, maybe park a good distance away).
Good luck Sam, lets hope for the second PT-Troop Giant Slaying in a year!

Everest Base Camp.

Alec Bennett pictured here shortly after arriving at Everest Base Camp, 5340m above sea level. At this alitude there is almost exactly 50% oxygen available as at sea level; which explains the hard stints on the Air Stepper and rowing machines. Alec turned up for 0600 sessions with Tom Rendell to train for the 3-week trek, as well as attending Tom Jordan's circuit classes at Bevan Britten.
Congratulations Alec, particularly on raising over £3500 for the British Heart Foundation!

Jordan scores and kops a game against Liverpool

Congratulations to PT Troop trainer, Tom Jordan, who came off the bench for Havant & Waterlooville FC to score his team’s fourth goal against Swansea City in the FA Cup. The full match report can be found here in The Sun or here in The Daily Telegraph.

The result means that Tom’s next game will be against Liverpool FC at Anfield where they will be trying to silence the massed hoards of Scousers on the Kop. We’ll post a reaction from Tom just as soon as we can calm him down.



The Kop prepares to welcome Tom and the rest of the Havant players...

New trainer at PT Troop

Joining Tom Rendall at PT troop is his new right hand man Tom Jordan.

Son of Man Utd and Scotland legend Joe Jordan, Tom has also spent the last
10 years playing professional and now semi-professional football.
With over 200 games under his belt, making appearances for Bristol City FC, Southend Utd FC, Tamworth FC and now Havant and Waterlooville FC, his career highlight was selection for the England Semi-Professional side in 2003.

Tom has been a Personal Trainer for 4 years now, gaining experience in fitness, strength and flexibility training whilst working for the 2 largest gyms in Bristol: -Next Generation and David Lloyd.

He has seen health and fitness as a way of life for many years and thrives on helping others achieve their own individual goal

Welcome to the world of blogging Tom

Here's a picture of Cece being overjoyed at seeing her Daddy complete the Neolithic Marathon, April 30th 2006

In 3hrs 46mins

A creditable time, thanks in no small part to your brutal leg sessions.

One of which I will be having tomorrow. Can't wait.